Description
The Lotus Elite, or Type 14, was first shown at the 1957 Earls Court London Motor Show and, when customer deliveries commenced in 1958, it ranked as the world’s first fibreglass monocoque production car. The revolutionary body used fibreglass-reinforced plastic to form a complete monocoque tub, with structural metal only used in the steel subframe which supported the engine and front suspension, bonded into the front of the monocoque and a square-section windscreen-hoop that provided roll-over protection, together with mounting points for door hinges and jacking points for raising the car.
This unique construction made the car strong, stiff and light and permitted a design which gave the vehicle great aerodynamics, with a claimed drag coefficient of just 0. 29. The Elite also offered four-wheel independent suspension and disc brakes all round. The 1216 cc Coventry Climax FWE all-aluminium, in line-four engine fitted, provided ample power to endow the vehicle with sports car performance. Production ceased in 1963, by which time a little over 1, 000 cars had been built.
This Series 2 Elite was first registered new in the UK in January 1962. It had 3 owners, one of whom carried out extensive refurbishment work in 1986, before being exported to Jersey in 2011. The car has been used sparingly during its life and the recorded mileage of under 32, 000 can be verified by the MOT history up to 2011.
In 2012, the new Jersey owner wished to compete in local motorsport and to this end, removed the original, standard Elite engine/ MG gearbox supplied with the car in order to preserve it and fitted an engine previously fitted to an Elite owned by Ron Hickman (the well-known Lotus designer). This FW engine was fully rebuilt and uprated, mated to a ZF gearbox and Quaife limited slip diff, together with numerous other mechanical upgrades. This race-prepared set-up was built by specialist Dave Bruzas Historic Automobile Engineering and dyno tested at 109. 9 bhp. The original, standard Elite engine and MG gearbox will be supplied with the car.
The bodywork is in an excellent state of repair, free from cracks or crazing. It was repainted some years ago and this paintwork remains in a very good condition. Similarly, the painted wire wheels are in good repair and all the brightwork is present and in good shape. The interior is in a good, original condition with the carpets replaced earlier in its life and the seats having had some refurbishment a little over 10 years ago.
This Elite is a great example of Colin Chapman’s first production vehicle for Lotus. With a low mileage and finished in its original colour, it is in excellent condition and benefits from significant and useful performance upgrades making it a real driver’s car - it goes very well!
There is plenty of documented history with the car from the point of the 1986 refurbishment work onwards, MOT history and invoices for the uprated engine fitment of 2012.
The car is currently Jersey registered and we can assist with shipping and importation processes if required. We can ship worldwide.
