Talk show host and auto enthusiast, Jay Leno, has been producing an interesting series of YouTube shows about the various vehicles that he has in his collection.

The most recent of these deals is with the Lotus Elan, of which he owns a 1969 example, that has managed to cling onto its original paintwork over the years in spite of being modestly modified.

Leno reveals that he actually owned two Elans at one point and fell in love with the car because it helped to introduce him to the British fashion for producing lightweight, two seater drop tops, that were relatively affordable and offered bags of fun.

The 1969 iteration has undergone extensive restoration and its engine develops a healthy 160bhp, which is plenty of power, given that it does not weigh a great deal.

The second Elan that Leno owns is currently being restored itself, with engineers apparently adding a number of modern parts, to bring this classic up to scratch.

Some might be unhappy with the idea that vintage vehicles should be endowed with cutting edge components, although if you want to own a classic car that looks great and is also relatively reliable, this is a sensible move.