Auction: 1960 Lotus Elite

–British Racing Green with Green, Light Grey Carpeting, Restored, 4-cylinder Coventry-Climax FWE, 4-speed gearbox, One of approximately 60 original Left hand Drive Elites manufactured, Owned previous by not one, but two Formula One drivers, In its most recent ownership since 2005. Unveiled at the 1957 London Motor Show at Earls Court, the Lotus Elite was Lotus’s first purpose built production GT car coupled with the world’s first fiberglass monocoque construction incorporating bonded subframes and integrated suspension pickup points and as always with all Colin Chapmans designs lightness is key. Powered by Coventry Climax FWA 1100cc engine to fit into the new sub 1300cc GT class along with front and rear suspension from the Mk 12 Formula 2 car. In its first pre-production race (in 1600GT class at Silverstone) in came in first and then the very next day came in first again at Mallory Park. Throughout the Type 14 Elites Production it would win its class at Lemans six times along with countless individual wins in local and national championships.The automobile magazine, Autocar described the Lotus Elite as follows: “The road manners of the Elite come as near to those of a racing car as the ordinary motorist would ever experience.” Needless to say, it was precisely those attributes that led to so many Elites being raced and with much success. This rare Left hand Drive Lotus Elite was delivered new to France and received by its first registered owner, Mr. Beaudoin. Later, the Elite found it way into the ownership of Formula 1 driver Jean-Pierre Jarier. In 1974, the Elite was sold to another Formula 1 driver, Jean-Pierre Beltoise. This was the same year the French duo raced together to win the World Sportscar championship driving the Gitanes-sponsored Matra Simca MS670C. It appears Beltoise had wanted to own one of Colin Chapman’s road cars for quite some time. Thus, what better than to purchase his teammate Jarier’s Lotus Elite. Jean-Pierre Beltoise would keep the Elite for the next 30 years!This rare LHD Elite was fully restored in 1982 by Danielson Engineering in Magny-Cours, France. Works carried out included stripping, repairing and repainting the body; a complete overhaul of the Coventry Climax engine; complete overhaul of the gearbox; rebuilding the rear axle; rebuilding the suspension and brakes; and reupholstering the interior.The Elite was purchased by its most recent owner, a European collector in May 2005. rarely used within this ownership, the Elite sat within the important collection, serviced and cared for by the collections mechanical team. It has only recently come out of the collection, it was serviced (recommissioned) throughout by the collection mechanic-team. After a bit of a shakedown to make certain the Elite is ready for immediate use and enjoyment by its next custodian, this Elite was recently purchased by Autosport Designs, Inc. and imported to the United States. This Elite comes with a history file showing its original French Carte Grise in Jean-Pierre Beltoise’s name; Photocopy of Jean-Pierre Jarier’s Carte Grise (in his birth name, Jean-Pierre Jouck); photocopy of certificate of sale between Jarier and Beltoise, 12th May 1974; photocopy of request of registration by Beltoise, 15th May 1974; The restoration documentation on file is complete as documented in 2004 by Joseph Le Bris of Danielson Engineering as well as a 2004 fax from Jean-Pierre Jarier confirming that his sale of the Lotus Elite in 1974 for 10,000 Francs. This absolutely superb, rare LHD Lotus Elite is one of the finest available and with superb provenance. It is ready for immediate road-tour use, show or racing and eligible for for some of the world’s most prestigious events including the Tour Auto.