Lotus Elite series 1, 1960
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Updated: 29-March-2024 12:09

Lotus Elite series 1, 1960

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Make history

Lotus Elite series 1, year 1960. Colour light blue with a blue interior. Only 1029 Lotus Elites have been built of which 450 are estimated to have survived.

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Lotus cars was established in the year 1952 by the British engineer Colin Chapman. Earlier, in the year 1948 the first Lotus saw the light of day. It was an Austin Seven based trial car which was named Lotus Mk I. The first company building was located located at old stables in Hensey, north London. In the year 1954 the company was split into Lotus cars and Team Lotus for the racing activities. Team Lotus competed in the Formula 1 championships from 1958 until 1994. Concerning the street cars Lotus has become renown for the Lotus seven and the Super Seven. These ultra light 'street racers' are being produced until this day. The cars are available ready made and in kit form.

All Lotus racing and sports cars are being engineered by the same philosophy: as light as possible. Because of the low weight Lotus cars feature superb road holding capacities, the experience is truly go-kart like. In 1957 the famous Lotus de Elite was presented, this sports car was the first car with a GRP (glass fiber reinforced plastic) unitary bodywork. The Elite was very competitive on the track. In the year 1962 the Lotus Elan was introduced. The Elan was constructed with a backbone chassis on which the GRP body was mounted. The Elan is one of the finest driving and handling classic sports cars. The year 1966 saw the birth of the Lotus Europa. Again a backbone chassis was used but this time the car featured a centrally mounted engine.

Lotus is still alive and kicking with the models Elise, Exige and the modern Europa. The story continues strongly because Lotus always stuck to their philosophy: building ultra light, fast and superb handling cars for road and track use.

Technical data

Coventry Climax four cylinder in-line engine
Stage II tuned & stage III overhead camshaft
Carburettors: 2 twin choke Weber.
Cylinder capacity: 1220 cc.
Capacity: 105 bhp. at 7000 rpm.
Gearbox: 4-speed, manual
Top-speed: approximately 200 km/h.
Weight: 546 kg.

Marc Vorgers
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Marc Vorgers