Lotus Elite Series II
Key facts
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Year
1961
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Country
Great Britain
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Capacity
1,216cc
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Cylinders
4 cylinder
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Valves
Overhead camshaft
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Output
75bhp at 6,100rpm
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Maximum speed
111mph
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Performance
0-60mph 11.4 seconds
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Price new
£1,949
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Owner
National Motor Museum Trust
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Manufacturer
Lotus Cars Ltd, Cheshunt
The Lotus Elite was a milestone in car design. The technically advanced GT car featured a unique fibreglass monocoque (a combined chassis and body unit) built from three mouldings, front and rear independent suspension and four-wheel disc brakes. From late 1961, the Elite was sold in kit form, taking advantage of a tax loophole that made it exempt from purchase tax. Lotus claimed that assembly took just 24 hours.
Colin Chapman entered the road-car market in 1957 with both the ultra-basic Lotus Seven and the Elite. Prior to this, his Lotus Company had concentrated on specialist racing cars. The Elite combined good looks with fine handling and was incredibly successful on the race track. However, the car had a reputation for poor reliability and nearly ruined Lotus. Chapman reckoned that the company lost £100 on every Elite it sold.
The road manners of the Elite are as near to those of a racing car as the ordinary motorist would ever experience
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