Following the death of Colin Chapman the Lotus company was purchased by General Motors in late 1985. The new compact sports car was intended to take Lotus back into the market for affordable models. It was powered by an Isuzu DOHC engine. When announced in 1989 there was no doubt that it was a winner. Unfortunately the economic boom was followed by a deep recession and the car did not sell well. Within three years it was all over and the Elan was withdrawn from production. This is a book of contemporary road tests, technical and specification data, driver's impressions, buying second-hand.