Vehicle Description
-White with Green painted stripes, Red leather interior, Light Grey
Carpeting, Restored condition throughout, Limited mileage since
restoration, 1500cc Climax FWB, 4-sped gearbox.
Unveiled at the 1957 London Motor Show at Earls Court, the Lotus
Elite was Lotus's first purpose built production GT car coupled
with the world's first fiberglass monocoque construction
incorporating bonded subframes and integrated suspension pickup
points and as always with all Colin Chapmans designs lightness is
key. Powered by Coventry Climax FWA 1100cc engine to fit into the
new sub 1300cc GT class along with front and rear suspension from
the Mk 12 Formula 2 car. In its first pre-production race (in
1600GT class at Silverstone) in came in first and then the very
next day came in first again at Mallory Park. Throughout the Type
14 Elites Production it would win its class at Lemans six times
along with countless individual wins in local and national
championships.
This 1960 Type 14 Lotus Elite S2 is a spectacular example with
great provenance, originally sold to Jerry Golden through Jay
Chamberlin's California Lotus Dealership then in 1966 to Dennis
Ortenburger who penned the book "Lotus Elite: Racing Car for the
Street" and tended to this Elite for 47 years. Sold in 2013, the
Elite was treated to a full restoration by marque specialist in
2014/2015 in preparation for tours and rallies, highlighted by full
paint and interior, an engine upgrade to a 1500cc Climax FWB,
Integrated rollbar, chrome wire wheels plus much more. It then went
on to participate, without fault, in the 2015 Southwest Passage
Rally (a 1,400-mile rally through New Mexico, Colorado and
Utah).
A recent road test attests to the restoration and preparation of
this Elite and further confirms Colin Chapmans quote of "Simplify
then add lightness". This Elite is one of the finest available and
with superb provenance, it is ready for immediate road tour use,
show or racing.
