1960 LOTUS ELITE — EXCEPTIONAL AND EXTREMELY RARE
MAKE: Lotus
MODEL: Elite – Type 14
YEAR: 1960
CHASSIS: 1301
ENGINE: Coventry Climax FWE 8774
DISPLACEMENT: 1,216 cc
ODOMETER: 329 miles since restoration
OWNERS: 1 since restoration
CERTIFICATION: FIVA
BODY COLOUR: White
INTERIOR: Black
AN EXCEPTIONAL 1960 LOTUS ELITE
We are delighted to present this 1960 Lotus Elite, an exceptionally rare and historically significant automobile, presented today in outstanding condition following a complete restoration carried out in Italy, involving highly regarded specialists in both Italy and the United Kingdom.
This is the celebrated Lotus Type 14 Elite, one of the most innovative and historically important models ever produced by Colin Chapman’s Lotus. The Elite represented a genuine technical revolution in the late 1950s: a compact two-seat coupé built around a load-bearing fibreglass monocoque, an extremely advanced solution for its time which eliminated the conventional separate chassis and integrated the structural function into the body itself. media.lotuscars.com+1
The result was an exceptionally light, aerodynamic and sophisticated sports car, capable of delivering remarkable performance and handling from a surprisingly small engine.
HISTORY, INNOVATION AND RARITY
Introduced to the public at the 1957 London Motor Show, the Lotus Elite embodied Colin Chapman’s philosophy of making lightness a fundamental element of performance.
The body, designed by Peter Kirwan-Taylor, was distinguished by its extremely low, streamlined and elegant profile, with a remarkably low claimed drag coefficient of approximately Cd 0.29. Hagerty
The fibreglass monocoque was one of the car’s most revolutionary features. It was not merely an exterior fibreglass body: the material formed the load-bearing structure itself, while the front section incorporated metal elements supporting the engine and front suspension. live.historics.co.uk
Lotus selected the legendary Coventry Climax FWE, a 1,216 cc four-cylinder, single-overhead-camshaft lightweight-alloy engine. Developed from the FWA/FWB engine family, the FWE was created specifically for the Elite and produced approximately 75 bhp. Combined with the car’s low weight, this modest output delivered remarkable performance for its period. Hagerty+1
The drivetrain featured a four-speed manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive, while the chassis incorporated independent double-wishbone front suspension, the characteristic Chapman strut rear suspension, rack-and-pinion steering and four-wheel disc brakes. Motorsport Australia+1
These characteristics explain why the Elite, although conceived as a road car, soon became a highly successful competition machine. At Le Mans, its exceptional efficiency allowed the little Lotus to compete successfully against much larger and more expensive cars; in 1959 an Elite achieved a class victory and finished eighth overall. media.lotuscars.com
Production of the first-generation Elite ended in 1963. Historical sources indicate that approximately 1,030 cars were produced in total, with around 281 Series I cars and the remainder belonging to the later production. Lotus Ltd+1
Against this background, a 1960 Elite is already an exceptionally rare collector car, particularly when accompanied by a high-level restoration, FIVA certification and a documented history such as that of this example.
THE RESTORATION — AN INTERNATIONAL STANDARD OF CRAFTSMANSHIP
Imported from the United States, the car was completely restored in Italy.
The fibreglass body was entirely restored by KVP, a renowned specialist, with particular attention to the correct reconstruction and finishing of the complex glass-reinforced structure which is so fundamental to the identity of the Elite.
The interior, now finished in black, was handcrafted by the renowned upholstery specialist Ferraresi, respecting the materials, finishes and artisanal configuration appropriate to this historic automobile.
Particular importance should also be attached to the Coventry Climax FWE 8774 engine, which was sent to England to be rebuilt by the specialist Tony Mantle, at Climax Engine Service.
Entrusting the heart of the car to a British specialist dedicated to Coventry Climax engines underlines the exceptional level of care invested in the restoration and the determination to preserve the car’s original technical identity.
FIVA CERTIFICATION
The car is accompanied by FIVA certification, a particularly important qualification for an automobile of this calibre.
The FIVA – Fédération Internationale des Véhicules Anciens defines a historic vehicle as a mechanically propelled road vehicle at least 30 years old, preserved and maintained in a historically correct condition and not used as everyday transportation. A FIVA Identity Card is issued following physical inspection according to FIVA’s Technical Code and records the vehicle’s identification, preservation status, known history and modifications. fiva.org+1
For a Lotus Elite, already extremely rare because of its limited production, FIVA certification represents an important additional element of historical and collector significance.
ITALIAN REGISTRATION AND VERNASCA SILVER FLAG
At the completion of the restoration, in 2021 the car was registered in Italy for the first time.
In the same year it participated in the prestigious Vernasca Silver Flag, returning to the event again in 2022.
The Vernasca Silver Flag is the dynamic re-enactment of the historic Castell’Arquato–Vernasca hill climb and has become one of the most prestigious international gatherings for historic competition and collector cars. The 2021, 25th edition was dedicated to the theme “Museums in Motion” and attracted more than 170 cars. vernascasilverflag.it+1
According to the documentation relating to this particular car, on both occasions, in 2021 and 2022, the Lotus Elite received prestigious awards in recognition of its rarity and the exceptional quality of its restoration:
- 2021 – 1st Prize for the most refined technical solution;
- 2022 – 1st Prize in the Gran Turismo category.
These awards are particularly significant given the high calibre of automobiles traditionally taking part in the Vernasca Silver Flag and the event’s strong emphasis on technical excellence, preservation and restoration quality.
PRESENT CONDITION
Since completion of the total restoration, the car has covered only 329 miles.
It is therefore presented in as-new condition, with white bodywork, black interior and a level of finish consistent with a high-end restoration.
The mere 329 miles travelled since restoration, combined with one owner since restoration, FIVA certification, participation in and awards at the Vernasca Silver Flag, and the exceptional care devoted to rebuilding the body, interior and Coventry Climax engine, make this a particularly compelling proposition for the most discerning collector.
AN AUTOMOTIVE COLLECTOR’S MASTERPIECE
This Lotus Elite is far more than a rare British sports car from the early 1960s.
It represents one of Colin Chapman’s boldest design philosophies: achieving maximum performance through minimum weight and radically innovative engineering solutions.
The combination of a fibreglass monocoque, 1,216 cc Coventry Climax FWE engine, rear-wheel drive, four-wheel disc brakes, independent suspension and outstanding aerodynamic efficiency made the Elite one of the most technically advanced automobiles of its era. Hagerty+1
Today, with total production of only just over one thousand examples, an international history, a complete restoration entrusted to specialists, FIVA certification, prestigious Vernasca Silver Flag awards and only 329 miles since restoration, this car represents an outstanding opportunity for a serious collection of significant historic automobiles.
