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1959 LOTUS Elite S1 - FIA

The Lotus Elite is an innovative car with smooth and fluid lines ...

The first Lotus Elite saw the light of day at the end of the 1950s. At that time, the Elite caused a sensation since it had a self-supporting fiberglass monocoque structure. Even if at the beginning, this choice created production difficulties, it made it possible to reach a record weight of 560 kg empty. On the design side, the Lotus Elite was not to be outdone: Peter Kirwan-Taylor and Frank Costin (aerodynamicist at Havilland Aéronautique) designed a body with soft and fluid shapes that were particularly successful. Equipped with independent suspensions and four Girling disc brakes, the Elite benefited from developments carried out in competition by Team Lotus. On the engine side, Chapman naturally chooses the Coventry Climax FWE of 1.2 l which has the advantage of reduced weight thanks to its aluminum construction.

 

From the successful debut of the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans ...

In 1959, Lotus entered a Lotus Elite at the 24 hours of Le Mans. She won the event on the performance index. After its brilliant debut, the Elite will participate in many competitions in England, on the European continent as well as on the American continent.

 

A car eligible for the greatest historical events and still winning many victories ...

Today, in historic races, it is still one of the best cars to contend for an index victory. Whether in Sixties' Endurance, Tour Auto or Le Mans Classic, the Lotus Elite are almost always on the podium.

This is one of the reasons the Elite is such a popular car today. Its beauty, its ease of use, its low operating cost as well as its eligibility for the majority of the most beautiful events (including Goodwood Revival) allow it to concentrate many assets for a single car ...

 
The Lotus Elite 1101 has a long history ...

The car presented by Ascott Collection is a car with a known history and validated by the Lotus Elite register.

Delivered in 1959 by the Lotus importer in the USA Chamberlain, she spent most of her life on the American continent. A report on this Elite dating from December 1993 was published in the American magazine "  Sport Cars International  ". That year, it was imported to Italy where it participated in historic races before being acquired by Ascott Collection and imported to France in 2014.

 

... and it offers the best level of performance.

This superb Elite has benefited from the best preparation, whether in terms of the chassis or the engine, as evidenced by its long track record in historic races: recently, it won the Italian Hill Climb Championship (2012) which it had already won. 10 years ago. It is therefore a very competitive car. Since its last season, it has received a new engine and has undergone a complete overhaul.

The chassis has been reinforced at the level of the rear axle and front axle mounting. The engine components were acquired from the best specialists: MK14, Tony Mantle and the pistons come from CPS Italy. The MG gearbox is completely overhauled.

The interior is neat. We find there, a hoop in accordance with the standards, a Stack instrumentation, the extinguisher etc ...

This Elite has a complete file and its Historical Technical Passport (PTH). She's ready to run.

 

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Technical characteristics

: Lotus

: Elite

: 1959

: 1101

: Polyester

: Polyester  

: Coventry-Climax  FWE of 1  216  cm

: 120 ch. @ 8,000 rpm

: MG

: 580 kg

Mark

Model

Year     

Chassis No.

Frame

Body

Motor

Power

Gearbox

Weight

Eligibility (click on the links)
AUTO TOUR
LE MANS CLASSIC
SIXTIES 'ENDURANCE
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