Highlights

Very well presented early Elite in original Siberian Sable
Stripped to bare chassis and rebuilt from the ground up in 2014
Champagne interior painstakingly restored to factory original specification
Rear axle rebuild, new timing belt and coolant hoses in March 2026
UK market right-hand drive example

The Appeal

Grand tourers, those big, sleek four seaters that evolved in the 60s to meet the demands of the new ‘autoroutes’, are not known for ‘adding lightness.’ Yet when Lotus decided to enter that luxurious, rarified market, it's exactly what it managed to achieve when it launched the chiselled, unmistakable Elite in 1974.

With the firm’s new race-derived twin cam beneath the razor-sharp bonnet, beautifully balanced handling and a spacious, four-seat interior with plush trim, the Elite was, still is, a very compelling package. An early reputation for unreliability hampered sales, but is no reason to pass by this superbly presented 1975 early example. That’s because it has been subject to what we’re told was a ‘nut and bolt’ ground up restoration in 2014 delivering the rather fabulous car you see in the photos.

He work retained the period-appropriate Siberian Sable paint colour, restored the lovely Champagne velour interior and involved stripping the chassis back to bare metal and building everything back up. Little used in recent years, it then received a light recommissioning in March 2026 by the current vendor. This involved new cambelt and coolant hoses and the rear axle was rebuilt.

Finding a good Elite is always a challenge, but definitely worth the effort because few cars of the era have its panache and driving capabilities. Buy this sorted example and you get to capitalise on someone else’s hard work.

History and Paperwork

UK market RHD car first registered 25th February 1975
Believed to be a 501 model specification due to the absence of air conditioning and power-assisted steering
Comprehensive restoration completed in 2014 by a retired engineer we are told
Fully recommissioned in March 2026
Documentation pack with many invoices included
MOT exempt as a historic vehicle
V5C present

The Condition

Stripped to bare chassis prior to restoration in 2014
Bodywork repainted in original Siberian Sable colour
The vendor informs us that the bodywork remains in very good order since the restoration
Champagne interior restored to factory specification
The vendor describes the interior as the finest they have seen in this model
Headlining alone reportedly cost over £1,000
Surely one of the best in exsistance?

The Mechanics

1,973cc Type 907 16-valve DOHC inline-four engine
Twin Dell'Orto carburettors
Five-speed manual gearbox
Engine, gearbox, rear axle, differential and suspension rebuilt during 2014 restoration
Rear axle assembly removed, rebuilt with new brake shoes and wheel cylinders, and reinstalled in March 2026
Timing belt and idler pulley replaced in March 2026
Coolant hoses replaced in March 2026
Described by the vendor as ready for use

BEFORE YOU BUY

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