Image credit: © conceptcarz.com (Reproduction Or reuse prohibited).
1961 Lotus Elite S1 Navigation
The Lotus Elite was introduced in 1957, Colin Chapman's design criteria was that the Elite be a road car capable of a class win at the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hour race. With four-wheel disc brakes, all independent suspension, rack and pinion steering, over head cam, lightweight alloy engine and superb aerodynamics, the Elite posted six consecutive Le Mans class wins from 1957 to 1962. Top speed for a stock Elite, owing greatly to its extraordinary aerodynamics and low drag coefficient of .29 was 118 mph.
Construction utilizes a fiberglass monocoque design, whereby the body acts as an integral part of the frame of the car. Elites are powered by a four-cylinder Coventry Climax 1216cc engine. The engine was increased to 1460cc during restoration. Coupled with dual side draft Weber carburetors, it produces in excess of 90 horsepower and a very spirited drive for a car weighing only 1300 pounds.
A multi-year restoration was completed in 1993. Documentation of that process produced the first definitive book on the Elite, Denis Ortenburger's Original Lotus Elite.
Construction utilizes a fiberglass monocoque design, whereby the body acts as an integral part of the frame of the car. Elites are powered by a four-cylinder Coventry Climax 1216cc engine. The engine was increased to 1460cc during restoration. Coupled with dual side draft Weber carburetors, it produces in excess of 90 horsepower and a very spirited drive for a car weighing only 1300 pounds.
A multi-year restoration was completed in 1993. Documentation of that process produced the first definitive book on the Elite, Denis Ortenburger's Original Lotus Elite.
No auction information available for this vehicle at this time.
1961 Lotus Elite S1 Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Lotus Elite S1
(Data based on Model Year 1961 sales)
| 1961 Lotus Elite Sold for USD$71,331 2019 Silverstone - Classic Cars & Competition Cars | |
| 1961 LOTUS ELITE SERIES II Chassis#: 1998 Sold for USD$78,472 2016 Coys - Thoroughbred & Vintage at Fontwell House | |
| 1961 Lotus MK14 Elite 'Super 95' Chassis#: 1947 Sold for USD$66,375 2015 Silverstone Auction - Competition Cars | |
| 1961 Lotus Elite Chassis#: 1336 Sold for USD$102,592 2015 RM Auctions - Paris | |
| 1961 Lotus Elite Series II Coupe Chassis#: 1205 Sold for USD$96,250 2012 RM Auctions - Monterey |   |
| 1961 Lotus Elite Series II Coupé Chassis#: 1628 Sold for USD$60,695 2011 Bonhams - Collectors' Motor Cars | |
| 1961 Lotus Elite Series II Coupé Chassis#: 1628 Sold for USD$69,061 2010 Bonhams - Collectors' Motor Cars and Automobilia |
Lotus Elite S1s That Failed To Sell At Auction
1961 Lotus Elite S1's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
| Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 Lotus Elite S2 Modifiée par Franck Costin | EB1448 | 2023 Artcurial : Le Mans Classic | $160,000 | $180,000 | |
| 1961 Lotus Elite Series 2 Coupé | 1336 | 2021 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris | $85,000 | $125,000 | |
| 1961 Lotus Elite | E112 1593 | 2019 Silverstone The Sale of British Marques | |||
| 1961 Lotus Elite Series 2 Super 95 Coupé | 1864 | 2015 Bonhams : Bond Street Motor Car Sale | $75,000 | $90,000 | |
| 1961 Lotus Elite Series II (Type 14) | EB1391785 | 2015 Historics at Brookland | $56,000 | $58,000 | |
| 1961 Lotus Elite Series II Coupé | 1628 | 2010 Bonhams Collectors' Motor Cars and Automobilia | $20,000 | $25,000 | |
| 1961 LOTUS ELITE | PXEA1193 | 2003 Palm Springs Exotic Car Auction November 2003 | $32,500 | ||
| 1961 Lotus Elite S2 Coachwork by Lotus | EB 1493 | 2003 Bonhams An auction of Collectors Motor Cars and Automobili | $30,000 | $35,000 |
Vehicles With Comparable Market Values
Similar sales to the $77,825 range.
| 1969 CHEVROLET CHEVELLE CUSTOM COUPE Chassis#:136379K464966 Sold for $78,100 2025 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach | |
| 1979 CHEVROLET C10 CUSTOM PICKUP Chassis#:CCD149J147868 Sold for $78,100 2025 Barrett-Jackson : Palm Beach | |
| 1942 Buick Super Series 50 Convertible Coupe Chassis#:14338392 Sold for $78,400 2025 Broad Arrow Auction : Amelia Island | |
| 1957 Fiat-Abarth 750 Record Monza Zagato Chassis#:100 441205 Sold for $78,400 2025 RM Sothebys : ModaMiami | |
| 1988 Mercedes-Benz 560 SL Chassis#:WDBBA48D4JA075380 Sold for $78,400 2025 RM Sothebys : ModaMiami | |
| 1941 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible Coupe Chassis#:8348028 Sold for $78,400 2025 Broad Arrow Auctions : Academy of Art University Collection | |
| 1967 Volvo 1800 S Chassis#:183451023614 Sold for $78,400 2025 Broad Arrow Auctions : Academy of Art University Collection |   |
| 1979 Volkswagen 'Beetle' 1303 Cabriolet Coachwork by Karmann Chassis#:1592029671 Sold for $77,495 2025 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris | |
| 1969 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 Coupé Chassis#:124379N645735 Sold for $77,495 2025 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris | |
| 1967 Jaguar E-Type 'Series 1.5' 4.2-Liter Roadster Chassis#:1E14967 Sold for $78,400 2025 Bonhams : The Scottsdale Auction | |
| 1931 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Huntington Limousine Coachwork Chassis#:206AJS Sold for $78,400 2025 Bonhams : The Scottsdale Auction | |
| 1993 Mercedes-Benz 500 GE 6.0 AMG Chassis#:WDB46322817090077 Sold for $78,400 2025 RM Sothebys : The Arizona Auction | |
| 1917 Detroit Electric Model 68 Brougham Chassis#:145522 Sold for $78,400 2025 RM Sothebys : The Arizona Auction | |
| 1939 Lincoln-Zephyr Three-Window Coupe Chassis#:H 71701 Sold for $77,280 2025 RM Sothebys : The Arizona Auction | |
| 1958 Jaguar XK150 Coupe Chassis#:j8118 Sold for $78,100 2025 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
| 1960 Chevrolet Corvette Convertible Chassis#:00867s104009 Sold for $78,100 2025 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
| 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle Chassis#:134371b203309 Sold for $78,100 2025 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
| 2010 WESTERN CONCORD STAGECOACH REPLICA Chassis#:1FD8W345WEST34534 Sold for $78,100 2025 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale | |
| 1971 FORD MUSTANG BOSS 351 Chassis#:1F02R215450 Sold for $78,100 2025 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale | |
| 2000 Mercedes-Benz CL 55 AMG 'F1 Limited Edition' Chassis#:WDB2153751A011732 Sold for $77,625 2024 RM Sothebys : Dubai |
1961 Lotus Elite S1
• Additional valuation insight and sales data• History
• Specifications
• Image gallery
• Other Lotus Elite S1 model years
