Description
LOTUS ELITE MK14 1959 RARE FACTORY PROTOTYPE FULLY RESTORED CHASSIS NO. 1017
Extremely rare and desirable Elite for an enthusiast or serious collector. This car is one of 20 hand built factory prototypes for evaluation racing/ show car before Lotus went into full production. This Elite 1017P was number 17 of the 20 prototype cars. The majority of the prototypes have sadly been destroyed after evaluation/ racing etc. The remaining cars are in serious collections around the world.
1017 was also driven by well known journalist (at the time) David Phipps and he drove this vehicle and wrote a feature 'Afternoon Outing Elite to Geneva' taking the Elite to the 1959 Motor Show in Geneva, hence the title. Copies of the original article are with the car.
Once back at the Lotus factory the car was registered VJB 917 (17 denoting the 17th prototype car) and subsequently sold to a Mr R E Burrows. The car was extensively raced in the UK and there's history in the UK and USA where the car was also raced (a copy of Brands Hatch race programme features the car).
I sourced and sold 1017 to the present Lotus Elite enthusiast nearly 40 years ago. The present owner is a fastidious and enthusiastic Elite owner who undertook the restoration and completely stripped the car which was then delivered to ANE Bates, better known as Tony Bates, founder of the MK14 Components company which is still in existence, the premier Elite restorer of Elites and spare parts of these wonderful cars. Tony Bates was world renowned for working on Elites and with his knowledge the current owner wanted Tony to correctly restore the car. Tony Bates also undertook the full restoration of a racing Elite known as 'Dadio' and also for the fast back Elite. Tony Bates was ably assisted by Paul De Cesare who carried out the paint work. It was important to the present owner to restore this car to an exacting standard by the best in the business. Tony Bates was tasked to ensure all the prototype features to make new fibreglass panels to match the prototype ones exactly.
The finished car was handed back to the owner in March 1993 with 17 miles on the speedo. The current mileage is now just over 10, 000 miles. The car has been used on a regular basis and won many awards on Club Elite days and has been featured in many books and magazine articles; Matthew Vale 'Lotus Elite', Dennis Ortenburger 'Lotus Elite Racing Car for the Road', Autocar, Classic Car, Popular Classics Automobile etc.
The owner's view is 'quality is to remember long after the cost is forgotten'. The current near immaculate state of the car fully justifies the epic restoration. It is testament to the team, ANE Bates and Paul De Cesare this historic car has stood up very well in the last 30 years. The car is very pleasing cosmetically and mechanically excellent. It is important to the owner the Lotus has a new home and will be loved and cherished as he has in his ownership of over 30 years.
Extensive history file including five bank boxes of paperwork and photographic record of its restoration. The car is priced at a very competitive figure to allow rectification to minor detailing/ blemishes.
Delivery can be arranged. Contact: Vincent Haydon the details below / the details below or Email using the button below
All Lotus Elan/ Europa/+2 and any model Lotus required with low mileage and full service history. Also buying classic Lotus, everything from concourse/ basket-case, unfinished projects or parts.
