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Lotus Elite Type One

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Razz

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Hi,

I'm new to this forum. While I own an E-type, I have a friend whose uncle races Lotus in vintage events. He is in search of a Lotus Elite Series One body. We're in the US, but would be interested in a body in any part of the world. Any leads would be appreciated.

Is it likely to find one of these, or is it just wishful thinking?

Razz
 
Hi Razz, welcome to the party! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif


[ QUOTE ]
...He is in search of a Lotus Elite Series One body. ...Is it likely to find one of these, or is it just wishful thinking?

[/ QUOTE ]Lotus made more than a thousand type 14 Elites so I'd guess his situation is much better than "just wishful thinking". Should be easier to find one than say, an eleven, but it may take some hunting. Good luck.


PC.
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/england.gif
 
Hi Bruce,

I live in Blairstown, so I'm in Hunterdon County fairly regularly. What town did you live in?

Thanks for the link to the Lotus site.

Razz
 
Milford. My cars get worked on in Frenchtown.

Bruce
 
Bruce lives in Pardise...I guess that's almost as good as New Jersey.

Anyway, Welcome Razz:

I'm not sure where to find another Lotus Elite body, but a call to Dave Bean might be a good idea (if you haven't already done so).

https://www.davebean.com/

One of my Brit-car friends in Fredon (NJ) has a shop that does a fair amount of Lotus work too. Right now, he's got a Lotus Elan Plus Two at his place. His name's Pete McCarthy: no webpage but his number is 973-383-8859. I know he doesn't have anything like a Lotus body, but he may have some good leads.

I also have another Brit-car race buddy in Blairstown and another near me (In Andover, NJ). All of us race in EMRA.

Where does your friend's uncle race his vintage car? I've run my Spridget in the Hershey Vintage Hillclimb and the Vanderbilt Historic Event.
We usually spectate at the SVRA Lime Rock Vintage event (and our club runs about 10 low-key race events a year where some folks bring their vintage cars to "stretch their legs"). www.emraracing.org
 
[ QUOTE ]

... He is in search of a Lotus Elite Series One body. We're in the US, but would be interested in a body in any part of the world. Any leads would be appreciated.
...

[/ QUOTE ]

Clubs are good sources of info for cars like this. Lotus Ltd is the national Lotus club here in the US and they have a web site at Lotus Ltd web site . Their "links" page is excellent and also has club contacts.

My other choice would be through VSCCA contacts but your friend's uncle must have these already.

Since the Elite had an integral body/chassis (even though it's fiberglass) I think he's really looking for a parts car or restoration candidate. Not real easy to find but they show up occasionally in Hemmings, club websites, etc.

Good luck and welcome to the forum!
 
Razz,
You might want to check out this web site for the Lotus Elite Club https://clubelitena.com/pages/thecar.html

It's been a long time since the old Bob Challman Lotus days, but as I remember, the biggest differences in the type 1 elite and my later one was in the lower link to the rear suspension. The first ones tied into the body with a tube connecting to an alumimum 3 piece cup and ball in the rear wheel well. This tended to pull out of the panel if not cared for.
The later ones used an A shaped link that tied into a ball and cup, half of which was moulded into the body inboard of the wheel well. This was better structurally, and the different geometry gave better handling, at least in the ones I drove. The only persistant problem we had was finding a supplier for the rubber balls, as Lotus always seemed to have them on backorder.
Unless you're trying to restore a particular car, go for the later ones, especially with the ZF gearbox, you'll have more fun.
Dave Thielke bluspit@yahoo.com
 
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