.Lotus Eleven Club
Why is this an outstanding car to purchase? Because it is owned by Jay Sloane. Jay Sloane purchased his first Lotus Eleven as a teenager in 1975. It was a race car at the end of its competitive life. Without handbooks or restoration guides to follow he began an education into what his particular Eleven had been and how to make it like-new again. A twenty-year search located the original engine. By 1996 Jay had resumed publication of the USA-based Lotus Eleven Register (started by Russ Hoenig in the early 1970s) and by 1999 transitioned it online as www.lotuseleven.org. In 2009 Jay was named as Eleven co-Registrar (with Victor Thomas) of the international Historic Lotus Register. He has tried to "pay back" the help he first received from Russ and Victor to assist others around the world with Lotus Elevens as active examples of a milestone racing car.
So this man knows his Eleven's. He is a true steward of the marque and the next owner of this beauty will have one of the best Eleven's in existence.
Chassis No. 273 was built as a Club model with full street trim. Assembly at Tottenham Lane London was completed in March of 1957 and the car was shipped to Lotus’ USA East Coast distributor, Tony Pompeo. It was still unsold as of 1959. The car was raced only in the period of 1968-1975 as an SCCA D-Sports special and exists today in virtually the same condition as when new and is in excellent, running condition.
Powered by its original Coventry Climax FWA engine (1100cc) s/n 6966 now in stage 3 tune. Full professional engine rebuild . Starts instantly and runs well on high octane fuel. The current power output is in the 80 to 85 HP range, consistent with the engine design and 1950s preparation.
Original chassis with the bottom square tubes replaced. Chassis is otherwise as built in 1957.
Same owner since 1975,
Discretely over sized radiator (thicker than standard), electric cooling fan concealed within radiator duct, and sealed cooling system with concealed overflow tank for safe street running.
MG-A transmission rebuilt in 2018 with upgraded 2nd gear & synchros.
Fitted with 4.22 final drive ratio with original 4.55 diff included as a spare.
Borrani wire wheels including the spare.
Fiberglass nose, tail and cowl, with aluminum sponsons, doors and inner-paneling. Although some Elevens built in 1957 had fiberglass bodies, this is not original for this Eleven but is practical and absolutely authentic-looking from outside and from the cockpit. The bodywork is about 20 lbs lighter than standard yet resilient to the routine street trauma that damages aluminum.
Rare “Wide-Cockpit” doors and cowl, as fitted by Lotus for this car, something found on fewer than 10 Lotus Elevens. The benefit of this style of door is to provide more arm-room for driver and passenger.
Completely original drum brake system, freshly rebuilt in 2019 with silicone fluid. Original and functional parking brake.
Full instrumentation with gauges functioning.
A new fabric top with side curtains.
New Michelin radial tires (including spare) in correct sizes.
Includes an assortment of spare parts and a wealth of documentation. Sold on Bill of Sale but enough documentation exists to apply for a title.
