Lotus Elite 1957 - 1963 - Model History

Lotus Elite

Lotus Elite

A tiny revolutionary of magnificent shape, but with inherent problems

One of the most amazingly brave cars ever produced was supposed to turn the world upside down, but it didn't happen. With fiberglass monocoque (only the frame and door and windshield mount were metal, he announced some new times that never came. The construction method did not allow for an open version, so it was made only as a coupe. Peter Kirwan-Taylor drew a beautiful one. timeless shape, with Frank Costin still refining the aerodynamics.

Lotus Elite

Lotus Elite

The Coventry-Climax racing engine, with only 1216cc, pulled 75-105hp, the car still had a respectable Cw of just 0.29 today, and barely exceeded 500kg. Unfortunately, Lotus had no conditions for quality production, so the model was offered to customers in the kit, with enormous problems in terms of image and quality. Things got a bit better when Bristol took over the assembly, but the manufacturer was still losing out on every specimen.

Lotus Elite

Lotus Elite

It has been replaced by the more conventional Elan. The name was recycled on the 'corner' model from 1974, which shared the problems of production with the namesake. Limited production (1030-1047 copies, depending on the source), beauty, historical significance, fine sporting success during production and suitability for racing oldtimers make Elite an expensive and sought-after commodity. The prices of restored copies in all major currencies are written in six digits and continue to rise.

Lotus Elite

Lotus Elite

Author: Dino Milic Jakovlic
Retrieved from:  autoportal.hr


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