1960 | Lotus Elite

This is an online only auction by Bonhams|Cars Online.

To see more details, read the full description and see 200+ photographs & video please visit our website www.bonhamscarsonline.com. It is free to Register an account and bid. There is no Buy it Now or part exchange. Here is a brief excerpt taken from the auction description;

This particular Elite S1, chassis number 1159, was delivered new in the UK to a Mr F Springer on 12th February 1960 and registered as '6577 AR'. The car was raced in the UK until 1962 when it was sold to Dieter Schmid from Munich, Germany, who raced it in VSA (Vereingigte Súddeutsche Automotorsportler) events.

Between 1962 and 1964 it raced at various venues including Norisring, Wallberg, Spessart, Neu Biberg, Schwäbische Alb, Augusta, Happurg, Eberbach, and Bad Neuenahr. It was registered for the first time in Germany in 1965.

In 1964 the Elite was bought by Winfried 'Winni' Reithmeier from Starnberg Bayern, who kept the car in storage for 52 years, preserving it in exactly the same specification as when last raced in 1964. In the mid-1990s Winni restored the Lotus, having discovered that the body was in very good condition and devoid of any cracks.

The restoration included a rebuild of the full-race Coventry Climax FWA engine with its twin Weber carburettors.

The car was sold to Ruud Gubbels of the Netherlands in 2016. It was then auctioned by Bonhams at the 2017 Goodwood Revival meeting.

It next appeared on the books of New York State classic car dealer Stuart Parr, and was finally purchased by the current owner at a 2021 auction in Arizona.

The vendor is only selling because he has a number of cars and doesn’t have the time to fully enjoy this very special vehicle.

We have driven the car and can attest to its ability to thrill, delight and entertain in equal measure.

Despite having a relatively modest 1216cc inline-four under the bonnet, the engine is a proper race-spec unit and the car weighs next to nothing.

So, unsurprisingly, the car picks up pace quickly and presses on with rare urgency and enthusiasm, all the while emitting a glorious cacophony of loud snorts, rips and barks from its tail-pipes.

It’s the real deal: a raw, visceral, pedigree motoring experience - designed and engineered by the firm who arguably did more than any other to bring sublime handling and exhilarating performance to professional racing drivers, keen amateurs and the wider public alike.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online, HQ. Viewings are strictly by appointment. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our Frequently Asked Questions.

This lot is available for viewing/inspection. Please contact us via www.bonhamscarsonline.com to make an appointment. We are open Monday to Friday between 9.00am & 5.00pm.

We run online classic car auctions every weekday, every week of the year 24/7/365. Please sign up to our newsletter to keep up to date with what is coming soon.