Description
H&H Classic Auction @ The Imperial War Museum, Duxford/ Cambridgeshire
13th March, 2024 13:00
1977 Lotus Elite 501
Entered from the Aberaeron Collection
Estimate £9, 000 - £11, 000
Registration No: 4014 DH
Chassis No: 76080929A
MOT: Exempt
Owned by the vendor from new and 104, 200 miles
Offered with original owner's manual and a current V5C
Collection of old MOT certificates back to 1982
Fitted with a new chassis supplied by Paul Matty Lotus
Announced in May 1974, the Type 75 Elite was part of a determined push upmarket by Lotus. The world’s most expensive four-cylinder car during its eight-year production run (1974-1982), the 2+2-seater was also notable for being among the last Lotus road cars to receive significant design input from marque founder, Colin Chapman. Penned by Oliver Winterbottom, the Elite’s sleek fibreglass bodywork (0. 30cd) sat atop a steel backbone chassis equipped with all-round independent suspension, four-wheel disc brakes and rack and pinion steering. Powered by a 1973cc DOHC engine allied to manual or automatic transmission, the Type 75 weighed little more than 1, 000kg and was reputedly capable of 0-60mph in 8. 1 seconds and 125mph. Available in 501, 502, 503 and 504 trims, some 2, 535 were made.
Finished in Yellow complemented to a Black leather interior, ‘4014 DH’ has been in single ownership from new and has covered 104, 200 miles. Fitted with a new chassis in 1983, supplied by Paul Matty Lotus, the Elite’s last MOT certificate expired in 2019, although exempt. Offered with an original owner's manual, a collection of old MOT certificates back to 1982 at 77, 412 miles plus old invoices and current a V5C, the cherished registration plate ‘4014 DH’ is also included in the sale.
