Vehicle Description
-British Racing Green with Green, Light Grey Carpeting, Restored,
4-cylinder Coventry-Climax FWE, 4-speed gearbox, One of
approximately 60 original Left hand Drive Elites manufactured,
Owned previous by not one, but two Formula One drivers, In its most
recent ownership since 2005.
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.
The automobile magazine, Autocar described the Lotus Elite as
follows: "The road manners of the Elite come as near to those of a
racing car as the ordinary motorist would ever experience."
Needless to say, it was precisely those attributes that led to so
many Elites being raced and with much success.
This rare Left hand Drive Lotus Elite was delivered new to France
and received by its first registered owner, Mr. Beaudoin.
Later, the Elite found it way into the ownership of Formula 1
driver Jean-Pierre Jarier. In 1974, the Elite was sold to another
Formula 1 driver, Jean-Pierre Beltoise. This was the same year the
French duo raced together to win the World Sportscar championship
driving the Gitanes-sponsored Matra Simca MS670C. It appears
Beltoise had wanted to own one of Colin Chapman's road cars for
quite some time. Thus, what better than to purchase his teammate
Jarier's Lotus Elite. Jean-Pierre Beltoise would keep the Elite for
the next 30 years!
This rare LHD Elite was fully restored in 1982 by Danielson
Engineering in Magny-Cours, France. Works carried out included
stripping, repairing and repainting the body; a complete overhaul
of the Coventry Climax engine; complete overhaul of the gearbox;
rebuilding the rear axle; rebuilding the suspension and brakes; and
reupholstering the interior.
The Elite was purchased by its most recent owner, a European
collector in May 2005. rarely used within this ownership, the Elite
sat within the important collection, serviced and cared for by the
collections mechanical team. It has only recently come out of the
collection, it was serviced (recommissioned) throughout by the
collection mechanic-team. After a bit of a shakedown to make
certain the Elite is ready for immediate use and enjoyment by its
next custodian, this Elite was recently purchased by Autosport
Designs, Inc. and imported to the United States.
This Elite comes with a history file showing its original French
Carte Grise in Jean-Pierre Beltoise's name; Photocopy of
Jean-Pierre Jarier's Carte Grise (in his birth name, Jean-Pierre
Jouck); photocopy of certificate of sale between Jarier and
Beltoise, 12th May 1974; photocopy of request of registration by
Beltoise, 15th May 1974; The restoration documentation on file is
complete as documented in 2004 by Joseph Le Bris of Danielson
Engineering as well as a 2004 fax from Jean-Pierre Jarier
confirming that his sale of the Lotus Elite in 1974 for 10,000
Francs.
This absolutely superb, rare LHD Lotus Elite is one of the finest
available and with superb provenance. It is ready for immediate
road-tour use, show or racing and eligible for for some of the
world's most prestigious events including the Tour Auto.
