This book traces the rise of the Lotus Elan, a car that redefined performance, style, and accessibility in the 1960s. More than a technical achievement, the Elan captured the essence of “lightness” — Colin Chapman’s guiding philosophy that small, agile sports cars could deliver driving joy beyond their size. The narrative sets the Elan within the broader movement of postwar British sports cars — MGs, Triumphs, Austin-Healeys, and others — exploring how a generation of small, affordable machines brought speed, freedom, and individuality to ordinary enthusiasts. Drawing on history, design detail, and cultural context, the book shows how the Elan’s influence stretched from race circuits to popular culture, leaving a legacy that shaped modern sports cars. At once a history of an icon and a chronicle of a remarkable era, The Spirit of Lightness is essential reading for enthusiasts of motoring, design, and British automotive heritage.