Description
H&H Classic Auction @ The Imperial War Museum, Duxford/ Cambridgeshire
9th October, 2024 13:00
1963 Lotus Elite Super 95
Estimate
£32, 000 - £37, 000
Registration No: 5256 BH
Chassis No: EB2471940
MOT: September 2025
Owned by a Lotus enthusiast
Fitted with an FWE engine mated to an MG gearbox
Offered with restoration invoices, letters, notes and old MOT certificates
Unveiled at the 1957 London Motor Show, the Elite (Type 14) was not only Colin Chapman's first production road car but also the world's first fibreglass monocoque (a contributory factor to its reputed 684kg kerb weight). Perhaps influenced by the FIA's recently introduced 1300cc GT racing class, the newcomer's specification included F2-derived all-round independent suspension and four-wheel disc brakes (inboard at the rear). Powered by a Coventry-Climax SOHC four-cylinder engine mated to a four-speed manual transmission, the basic variant claimed a top speed of over 120mph.
The work of Peter Kirwin-Taylor, aerodynamicist Frank Costin and John Frayling, the Coupe's super sleek silhouette is still considered a masterpiece. Unsurprisingly, given its radical design (and Chapman's budget constraints), the first running prototype did not emerge until May 10th 1958. Driven straight to Silverstone by Ian Walker, it promptly won a production sports car race against 1600cc opposition. As successful abroad as on British circuits, the Elite won its class at Le Mans every year from 1959-1964.
Finished in Lotus Red with a Black interior, ‘BH’ is thought to be a ‘Super 95’ model (the 1973 VE60 recording ‘Super 95’), it's certainly equipped with ‘Super 95’ features including the fuel cap, ashtrays, bonnet duct etc, although it has been fitted with a ‘standard FWE engine’ at some stage. Registered on 1st January 1963, the early history of ‘BH’ is unknown, but the RF60 logbook states Lenham Sports Cars as the recorded keeper in October 1973, before passing to Kevin Sykes of Kent in March 1974. A letter on file indicates restoration during the 1980s, with supportive invoices plus the fitting of the current ‘standard’ specification FWE engine and MG gearbox as it was purchased minus the original engine. According to the vendor, the current FWE engine is thought to have covered the same mileage as the car post-restoration (c. 7, 411 miles), when it is likely the odometer was zeroed with an engine possibly rebuilt. We are unaware of any evidence for this.
‘BH’ appears to have been used very occasionally, with six old MOTs dating between 1973 and 2021, indicating a total mileage not exceeding 4, 000 during this period. Evident from the MOT records, ‘BH’ is believed to have only covered some 7, 411 miles in 50 years! The current Lotus enthusiast owner of ‘BH’ acquired the car from Paul Matty Sports Cars Ltd as a light project in 2019 following a period of storage and has since carried out restoration works that have included a brake and suspension overhaul, fitting of new SU carburettors, replacement fuel pump and an overhaul of the water pump etc. Prior to the current MOT (Expiry date 10th September 2025), it was last MOT’d in 2021. ‘BH’ has seen little use in the present keeper’s hands, due to health hiccups, but it is in running order and said to have a ‘particularly nice gearbox’. The history file includes the current V5C Registration Document recording 4 former keepers, the 1973 VE60, a quantity of restoration invoices, letters, notes, and old MOTs and a purchase invoice.
