Lotus Elite

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Lotus began the difficult and expensive task of replacing its model range in the early 1970s. The Elan and Europa were beginning to look a little dated and the Ford-Lotus engine had reached the peak of its development. 

Colin Chapman decided to move up-market and the result was the smart square tailed Type 75 Elite along with its slopeback stable mate the Eclat, both arriving in 1974. The glass-fibre reinforced polyester body was produced in two horizontal halves by the Lotus patent ‘Vacuum Assisted Resin Injection Process’, the two halves being bonded at the waistline. Steel door beams and a roll-over bar made sure that it had good crash protection, aided by the massive steel-backbone-chassis in true Chapman tradition.

The new, all alloy 1973cc Lotus designed engine had first been seen in the Jensen Healey. It was on a slant to keep the car’s nose low, had 16-valves and could produce 155bhp breathing through its twin Dellorto 45 DHLA carburettors. True to form, the basic car weighed in at a whisker over 900kg (contemporary sports car makers take note) which gave it a very respectable turn of speed. Just as well as it was the most expensive 4-cylinder car on the market at the time.

Elite production ceased in 1980, ensuring its relative rarity, the distinctive wedge shaped styling being very much 'of the period'.

First registered in June 1974, this Elite has recently been resprayed and restored and is said to “drive as you would expect from a Lotus with a good strong engine” but is being sold here with no tax or MOT. 
 

AMENDMENT: Since arriving on site we have not been able to get this car running.