Highlights

Very well-known car in enthusiast and club circles
Highly original, unrestored car showing only 46,367 miles
One of only two cars produced in the unique Copper Fire colour
16th to last off the production line, specially painted for the Managing Director's use
Current enthusiast keeper since 1997 and extremely well cared for
Heritage award winner at the Lotus factory in 1998 for marque’s 50th anniversary
Displayed on the Club Lotus Stand at the NEC in 2024

The Appeal

The Elite was Lotus’ bid for upmarket glory, a 2+2 shooting brake that added luxury and refinement but lost none of the agility of the firm’s trademark sports cars. Just 2,535 were built, the later cars gaining the larger 2.2L Type 912 engine, and this car was the 16th from last built.

It is one of just two cars painted in Copper Fire metallic and was specially commissioned for Lotus’ then-MD. In the intervening years, it has been extremely well looked after, including by the current keeper who acquired it in 1997. He has focussed on the car’s originality - it has never been repainted and retains its original beige leather interior with its walnut trim. Despite the passage of 45 years, the signs of use are extremely minor.

This car, as you might expect, is very well-known within marque enthusiast and club circles. It appeared on the Lotus Club stand at the NEC in 2024 and was given the Heritage Award at the 50th anniversary Lotus factory gathering in 1998.

The current keeper is a knowledgeable enthusiast and tells us that he has correctly maintained the car throughout his tenure. This has included stripping and re-greasing the suspension every six months. Other notable recent work includes overhauling the carburettors. The history file is vast, as our photos show, and includes the award, old tax discs, MOTs, invoices and a factory presentation pack.

The Elite is justifiably gaining interest amongst enthusiasts. These are extremely rare cars and we suspect it will be hard to match the condition, originality and provenance of this one.

The vendor says:

“The car drives better than some modern cars ,as in true Lotus fashion, it has relatively soft suspension but corners well.”

History and Paperwork

Factory built in 1981
First registered 27th October 1981
First registered in the UK in October 1983
The discrepancy may relate to the car initially being a factory-owned model
Specially painted in Copper Fire for the Managing Director's use
One of only two cars produced in Copper Fire
16th to last car built off the production line
Five registered keepers since 1983
Purchased by the current keeper in June 1997
Heritage award winner at the Lotus factory in 1998 following a check over
Displayed on the Club Lotus Stand at the NEC in 2024
Always stored in a dry garage attached to the house
Maintained by current keeper including six-monthly suspension strip-down and re-greasing
MOT-exempt
Last MOT ran to August 2021 with no advisories and 45,671 miles on test
46,367 miles showing, believed correct but this is not verified
Large history file as shown in photos
File includes old MOTs, tax discs, invoices and event details
Factory presentation pack as shown
Heritage Award and leaflet
Numerous now-unobtainable spares available for separate purchase including spare set of wheels and tyres

The vendor says:

“Purchased in 1997. After a complete check over it was shown at the factory in 1998 and won the Heritage award. It was built in 1981 and specially painted for the MD to use. It is one of only 2 cars built in the colour (Copper Fire). The other car has never been seen. It was 16th to last built. The rear suspension has been modified with the same parts as used with the last 14 cars that came off the production line. The front brakes have been modified to incorporate ventilated discs. It has only ever been stored in a dry garage attached to the house. I have numerous spares which are now unobtainable ,which can be purchased separately together with a spare set of wheels and tyres.”

The Condition

Extremely rare Copper Fire metallic paintwork with gold coachline
The vendor states the overall condition is almost as it left the factory
Original paint has never been resprayed and presents at a high level
Vendor notes that there is a small mark to note on the bonnet
Bodywork presents well with straight lines and no reported fibreglass deterioration
Underside as shown reflecting car’s garaging when not in use
Factory alloy wheels in very good condition as shown
Full beige leather interior, which was a rare specification at the time of production
Leather is original and unrestored, so some light age to be anticipated in photos
All switchgear works with the exception of the radio we are told

The vendor says:

“The overall condition is almost as it left the factory. It has never been resprayed but does have a small mark on the bonnet.

“The interior is full leather which was rare at the time, and all the switchgear works with the exception of the radio.”

The Mechanics

2,174cc Type 912 inline four-cylinder engine
Five-speed manual transmission
Rear suspension modified using the same parts fitted to the last 14 production cars
Front brakes modified to incorporate ventilated discs
Engine runs well and features rebuilt carburettors
The vendor reports no mechanical faults
Vast history file as shown in photos
Maintained by enthusiast current keeper
Six monthly suspension strip downs and re-greasing

The vendor says:

“All the work on the vehicle has been carried out by myself, with a six monthly suspension strip down and re-greasing. The engine runs perfectly having had the carburettors rebuilt. The car ran perfectly up to the NEC in 2024, where it was displayed on the Club Lotus Stand. There are no mechanical faults.”

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