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Colin Chapman conceived the Elite in late 1956 as the first car Lotus built for the street. The Elite would become the world's first volume-production car to utilize fiberglass-monocoque construction. The attractive design of these coupes was not the most durable or well constructed and only around 250 of both series were ever built.
This is car number 1096, the 96th car of the 284 S1 Elites built. Approximately 1000 Elites were built between 1959 and 1962. Given direction by Lotus's founder, Colin Chapman, to 'strengthen and add lightness' this new design proved to be revolutionary and it greatly contributed to the car's overall performance. The car weighs only 1350 lbs and with a racing tune Coventry Climax (40DCOE Webers) the engine will produce 135 horsepower.
The Elite followed the Seven, and was diametrically opposed to it in concept and execution. Where the Seven was as basic an automobile as could be conceived, the Elite was one of the most technologically-advanced cars of its day, and compares well to any car built today - over 45 years later. The Seven's simple sheet metal body covered a tubular space frame, with cycle fenders over the wheels. It looked vintage when new. The Elite was a stunningly beautiful and tiny, coupe. It was designed for efficiency, and low aerodynamic drag was part of that efficiency. It's coefficient of aerodynamic drag was 0.29 - better than most cars built today. And it didn't merely have a fiberglass body. The Lotus Elite had a fiberglass unibody (monocoque) structure. The Elite won its class at LeMans in 1960 and had many successes in the UK and here in the United States.
The current owner is working with Ragtops & Roadsters to keep a keen eye for originality. This car is believed to have race history given the racing tune state when purchased in 1976. Originally painted in Royal Blue, which were the colors of the 1960 Sebring Team cars, great attention is being given to many of the original parts with this car when the project began.
This is car number 1096, the 96th car of the 284 S1 Elites built. Approximately 1000 Elites were built between 1959 and 1962. Given direction by Lotus's founder, Colin Chapman, to 'strengthen and add lightness' this new design proved to be revolutionary and it greatly contributed to the car's overall performance. The car weighs only 1350 lbs and with a racing tune Coventry Climax (40DCOE Webers) the engine will produce 135 horsepower.
The Elite followed the Seven, and was diametrically opposed to it in concept and execution. Where the Seven was as basic an automobile as could be conceived, the Elite was one of the most technologically-advanced cars of its day, and compares well to any car built today - over 45 years later. The Seven's simple sheet metal body covered a tubular space frame, with cycle fenders over the wheels. It looked vintage when new. The Elite was a stunningly beautiful and tiny, coupe. It was designed for efficiency, and low aerodynamic drag was part of that efficiency. It's coefficient of aerodynamic drag was 0.29 - better than most cars built today. And it didn't merely have a fiberglass body. The Lotus Elite had a fiberglass unibody (monocoque) structure. The Elite won its class at LeMans in 1960 and had many successes in the UK and here in the United States.
The current owner is working with Ragtops & Roadsters to keep a keen eye for originality. This car is believed to have race history given the racing tune state when purchased in 1976. Originally painted in Royal Blue, which were the colors of the 1960 Sebring Team cars, great attention is being given to many of the original parts with this car when the project began.
No auction information available for this vehicle at this time.
1959 Lotus Elite S1 Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Lotus Elite S1
(Data based on Model Year 1959 sales)
1959 Lotus Elite S1 Competition Coupe Chassis#: 1159 Sold for USD$86,800 2021 RM Sothebys : Arizona | |
1959 Lotus Elite Series 2 Coupé Chassis#: 1390 Sold for USD$78,287 2019 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais | |
1959 Lotus Elite S1 Competition Coupé Chassis#: 1159 Sold for USD$112,998 2017 Bonhams : Goodwood Revival | |
1959 Lotus Elite Series 1 Racer Chassis#: 1222 Sold for USD$44,000 2017 Mecum : Monterey | |
1959 Lotus Elite Chassis#: 1105 Sold for USD$80,521 2016 H & H Auctions - Imperial War Museum-Duxford | |
1959 Lotus Elite Coupé Chassis#: 1110 Sold for USD$71,872 2015 Bonhams : The Zoute Sale | |
1959 Lotus Elite Series I Chassis#: 1089 Sold for USD$80,300 2013 Bonhams - Quail Lodge Auction | |
1959 Lotus Elite Competition Coupe Chassis#: 1106 Sold for USD$116,857 2012 Bonhams - Collectors' Motor Cars and Automobilia | |
1959 Lotus Elite Coupe Chassis#: 1171 Sold for USD$30,149 2003 Bonhams - Goodwood Revival |
Lotus Elite S1s That Failed To Sell At Auction
1959 Lotus Elite S1's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1959 Lotus Elite Series 1 Coupe | 1052 | 2018 Bonhams : Amelia Island Auction | $95,000 | $110,000 | |
1959 Lotus Elite Series 1 | 1057 | 2013 Silverstone : The Silverstone Classic Sale | |||
1959 Lotus Elite Coupe | 1402 | 2009 Shannons Auctions 2009 Shannons Classic Vehicle Auction at MotorEx |
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1959 Lotus Elite S1
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