1976 Lotus Elite Coupe
The Lotus Elite name has been used for two production vehicles and one concept vehicle developed and manufactured by British automobile manufacturer Lotus Cars. The first-generation Elite Type 14 was produced from 1957 to 1963 and the second-generation model from 1974 to 1982. The Elite name was also applied to a concept vehicle unveiled in 2010.
From 1974 to 1982, Lotus produced the considerably larger four-seat Type 75 and later Type 83 Elite. With this design Lotus sought to position itself upmarket and move away from its kit-car past. The Elite was announced in May 1974. It replaced the ageing Lotus Elan Plus 2.
The Elite’s fiberglass bodyshell was mounted on a steel backbone chassis evolved from the Elan and Europa. It had 4-wheel independent suspension using coil springs. The Elite was the first Lotus automobile to use the aluminum-block, four-cylinder, 4-valve, DOHC, Type 907 engine that displaced 1,973 cc. This engine was mated to a 4 or 5-speed manual transmission, as per customer specifications, delivering power to the IRS rear end. Beginning in January 1976, an automatic transmission was optional. At the time of launch, the Elite was the world’s most expensive four-cylinder car.
The Elite has a shooting brake, three door coupe, body style, with a glass rear hatch opening into the rear luggage compartment. The body design had a claimed drag co-efficient of 0.30. The Elite’s striking shape was designed by Oliver Winterbottom. He is quoted as saying that the basic chassis and suspension layout were designed by Colin Chapman, making the Elite and its sister design, the Eclat, the last Lotus road cars to have significant design input from Chapman himself.
The model presented here has had significant mechanical restoration with $16,000 in billing. It does need paint and finishing touches. This is a rare model of the “James Bond” era. Very few survived.
This vehicle features:
Three door coupe design
2.0L DOHC 4-valve 4-cylinder engine
Manual 5-speed gearbox
Independent rear-wheel suspension (IRS)
The Lotus Elite name has been used for two production vehicles and one concept vehicle developed and manufactured by British automobile manufacturer Lotus Cars. The first-generation Elite Type 14 was produced from 1957 to 1963 and the second-generation model from 1974 to 1982. The Elite name was also applied to a concept vehicle unveiled in 2010.
From 1974 to 1982, Lotus produced the considerably larger four-seat Type 75 and later Type 83 Elite. With this design Lotus sought to position itself upmarket and move away from its kit-car past. The Elite was announced in May 1974. It replaced the ageing Lotus Elan Plus 2.
The Elite’s fiberglass bodyshell was mounted on a steel backbone chassis evolved from the Elan and Europa. It had 4-wheel independent suspension using coil springs. The Elite was the first Lotus automobile to use the aluminum-block, four-cylinder, 4-valve, DOHC, Type 907 engine that displaced 1,973 cc. This engine was mated to a 4 or 5-speed manual transmission, as per customer specifications, delivering power to the IRS rear end. Beginning in January 1976, an automatic transmission was optional. At the time of launch, the Elite was the world’s most expensive four-cylinder car.
The Elite has a shooting brake, three door coupe, body style, with a glass rear hatch opening into the rear luggage compartment. The body design had a claimed drag co-efficient of 0.30. The Elite’s striking shape was designed by Oliver Winterbottom. He is quoted as saying that the basic chassis and suspension layout were designed by Colin Chapman, making the Elite and its sister design, the Eclat, the last Lotus road cars to have significant design input from Chapman himself.
The model presented here has had significant mechanical restoration with $16,000 in billing. It does need paint and finishing touches. This is a rare model of the “James Bond” era. Very few survived.
This vehicle features:
Three door coupe design
2.0L DOHC 4-valve 4-cylinder engine
Manual 5-speed gearbox
Independent rear-wheel suspension (IRS)
The Lotus Elite name has been used for two production vehicles and one concept vehicle developed and manufactured by British automobile manufacturer Lotus Cars. The first-generation Elite Type 14 was produced from 1957 to 1963 and the second-generation model from 1974 to 1982. The Elite name was also applied to a concept vehicle unveiled in 2010.
From 1974 to 1982, Lotus produced the considerably larger four-seat Type 75 and later Type 83 Elite. With this design Lotus sought to position itself upmarket and move away from its kit-car past. The Elite was announced in May 1974. It replaced the ageing Lotus Elan Plus 2.
The Elite’s fiberglass bodyshell was mounted on a steel backbone chassis evolved from the Elan and Europa. It had 4-wheel independent suspension using coil springs. The Elite was the first Lotus automobile to use the aluminum-block, four-cylinder, 4-valve, DOHC, Type 907 engine that displaced 1,973 cc. This engine was mated to a 4 or 5-speed manual transmission, as per customer specifications, delivering power to the IRS rear end. Beginning in January 1976, an automatic transmission was optional. At the time of launch, the Elite was the world’s most expensive four-cylinder car.
The Elite has a shooting brake, three door coupe, body style, with a glass rear hatch opening into the rear luggage compartment. The body design had a claimed drag co-efficient of 0.30. The Elite’s striking shape was designed by Oliver Winterbottom. He is quoted as saying that the basic chassis and suspension layout were designed by Colin Chapman, making the Elite and its sister design, the Eclat, the last Lotus road cars to have significant design input from Chapman himself.
The model presented here has had significant mechanical restoration with $16,000 in billing. It does need paint and finishing touches. This is a rare model of the “James Bond” era. Very few survived.
This vehicle features:
Three door coupe design
2.0L DOHC 4-valve 4-cylinder engine
Manual 5-speed gearbox
Independent rear-wheel suspension (IRS)
DISCLAIMER
The price for this vehicle as equipped does not necessarily have an expiration date and does not include charges such as: License, Title, Registration Fees, State or Local Taxes, Finance Charges, or a negotiable $150 Documentary Service Fee.