1956 Lotus Eleven Sports Racer

The Lotus Elevens dominated the 1100 and 1500cc classes in 1956 and 1957. At the 1956 Le Mans 24 Hours the 1100cc class was won by the works car co-driven by Reg Bicknell/Peter Jopp which finished seventh overall. During the first full season, almost 148 significant race wins were recorded by the Lotus Elven.

At Sebring 12 Hours in 1957, Colin Chapman and Joe Sheppard won their class. At the Le Mans 24-Hours, Jay Chamberlain and 'Mac' Fraser drove an Eleven to another class win in 1100cc class. A super-lightweight 750cc Eleven won the Index of Performance for Cliff Allison/Keith Hall.

This particular example is a 'wide-chassis' model. These wide-chassis versions were tailor-made to comply with International cockpit-width regulations and initially developed specifically for Sebring and Le Mans. The centre frame width was increased by around 4 inches on each side. They were cross-braced by an additional floor tube and the rear suspension radius rods were cranked to accommodate the width increase.

For many years, it was believed that as many as seven of these wide-chassis Elevens were built - three works cars to compete at LeMans in 1956, and two for the 1957 Sebring race. After long-term obscurity, two more period-built wide-chassis cars emerged. This car is one of those two. There is some debate if this is chassis '210' - the ex-Bicknell/Jopp car that won its class at the LeMans 24-Hour race.

Along with its wide-chassis, it was also fitted with Series 2 rear end.

This car was owned during the late 1950s or early 1960s by William Mitchell in Athens, Tennessee. In 1972, it was discovered by Jeff Cobb (a relative of Mr. Mitchell) who retrieved the long neglected and then-derelict car from a barn and trailered it back to Baton Rouge.

New owner Peter Hannan then entrusted it to Steve Hart for a restoration.

The current caretaker has owned the car for the past nine years and has raced it in vintage competition.

By Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2015

Even by the mid-1950s Colin Chapman's genius as a car designer was beginning to come to the fore. He was known for making lightweight automobiles that were advanced in aerodynamics and construction techniques. One of his best examples from those early years would be his Lotus Eleven.

Throughout the 1956 and 1957 seasons the Lotus Eleven would be practically unbeatable within its class. A class victory and 7th place overall finish in the 1956 24 Hours of Le Mans would be proof of this fact.

Unfortunately, being so strong means a big target is painted on the back, especially when it comes to an event like Le Mans where French patriotism certainly isn't so easily hidden. This ever-present reality would force Chapman and his team to take a look at their Eleven design. To say the car was a two-seater was a bit of a stretch and measuring with the right, or in the case of Lotus, the 'wrong' apparatus could mean the difference between being legal to compete or being disqualified. This danger needed to be addressed. The obvious answer was to build an Eleven that was wider than its predecessors.

Making use of cross-bracing via additional floor tubes, the new Lotus Eleven would be increased in width by no less than four inches on either side providing the necessary room in the cockpit to enable Lotus to breathe a little easier.

Initially, just three examples of the wider Elevens would be built. Those first three would actually be produced in time for Le Mans in 1956. Three examples would be built in time for Le Mans and then would be put on display at the London Motor Show later that year. Those three, and two more that would come later in the year, would be prepared for Sebring in 1957.

In total, there would be five Lotus Elevens prepared in time for Sebring with the wider body. Those five would be extensively photographed heading into the event. Yet, what would be realized by Le Mans the year before is that they weren't really necessary. Given the way the cockpit area was measured it was found the original Lotus Eleven had the ability to pass scrutinizing.

When it was all said and done, seven of the wide-chassis Elevens would be known to be produced by the Lotus factory. Those final two would be built sometime following Sebring and would be little know to exist. Chassis MK11210 would be one of those two wide-bodied Lotus Eleven that would be built in relative obscurity.

Most of this Eleven's known history comes about in the late 1950s and early 1960s when, with a great deal of excitement, 210 would become the property of Athens, Tennessee resident William Mitchell. Mitchell would use the Lotus widely at vintage events until Michael Lavers purchased the car in 1962.

Lavers' purchase of the Lotus would come with a great deal of excitement as one of the Lotus works cars would be lost, a mystery that would extend for decades to come. Following Lavers time with the Lotus, Peter Hannan would become the new owner. Steve Hart would then become the owner and would immediately commission a restoration.

Nearly every detail of the car would be looked into over the course of the restoration efforts. Victor Thomas of the Historic Lotus Register and Alan Putt would be two of those that would take great interest in the chassis. It was believed the car may have been the missing Le Mans works car. Unfortunately, it was found not to be the case. Still, the confirmation of the chassis' identity would offer some form of excitement.

There is still no denying the history of MK11210 even though it isn't the Le Mans class winner. Still, just one of seven known wide-bodied Lotus Elevens ever to be produced and well documented, including FIA papers, there is absolutely no doubting the importance of this Lotus.
Part of Tony Hart's impressive collection, the Lotus Eleven would garner a sale price of $209,000 at the 2015 Bonhams Quail Lodge auction.

By Jeremy McMullen