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Lotus Elite 1.2 L Coventry Climax FWE Inline-4 1960

General description : 1960 Lotus Elite S2
VIN – EB1371
Engine Number - 9056
Exterior Color – White
Interior Color – Black leather interior
Engine – Dual SU carbureted 1,216cc four- cylinder
Transmission – Ian Hammer Ford Type 9 5-speed conversion
Mileage today - 47,654 miles

Highlights for this car
Matching numbers early Series II with fly-off handbrake and rear alloy calipers
Delivered new to California through Jay Chamberlain Distributor, Los Angeles, CA
Documented nut and bolt restoration by Horst Auer, Germany, completed by Randall Fehr
US and EU registrations with FIA paperwork
Interior finished with leather and Wilton Wool Carpeting
Engine upgraded to Dual SU Carbs

Updated or Non-Original items on this car
Complete new MK14 Components body shell
Dual SU Carburetors
Four branch exhaust manifold
Stainless Steel exhaust system
Smith’s heater
Ian Hammer Ford Type 9 5-speed with 2.83:1, 1.81:1, 1.26:1. 1.0:1, 0.8525:1 gear ratios
Gustafson gear reduction starter
Optima battery

History
The genius of Colin Chapman is visible throughout the history of his cars, but nowhere is it more inventive in engineering and production value than in the Elite. Released in 1957, the fiberglass monocoque chassis and body, rack and pinion steering, disc brakes all round (rear inboard), and sophisticated suspension design, combined to make a marvelous performance car. Weighing in at 1,300 pounds, but offering exceptional torsional rigidity, the attractive and aerodynamic bodywork resulted in a coefficient of drag of just .29, a remarkable figure, rivaling cars of contemporary design today. The Elite not only proved to be highly successful in competition, with six class wins in six years at Le Mans, it proved to be a handsome low-cost alternative to higher priced cars with far more complex and often cumbersome mechanicals.

Introduced in 1960, the Series II Elite featured revised rear suspension, upgraded brakes, twin carburetors, an auxiliary oil cooler, and a more rugged five main-bearing crankshaft. And while late-production Elites benefited from higher-quality Bristol Aircraft coachwork, with approximately 1,040 cars built, many were simply used up or given up to the ravages of time.

Restoration and Ownership History
Delivered new to the first owner in California, this numbers matching Lotus became the subject of a nut and bolt restoration shortly after the previous owner purchased it in 2001. Prior to that, records indicate the car had been sold out of Los Angeles in 1989 and delivered to Europe as shown in the FIA documents. By 2005, the previous owner had delivered the car to the foremost Lotus Elite restoration specialist, Horst Auer in Germany. After evaluating the car and disassembling it entirely, a new Mk14 Components body shell was purchased as a replacement for the original shell, due to typical issues of longevity often found with original Lotus body shells. The new body, being more robust in construction and built with substantial advances in material technology was primed and painted in the original factory white color. As the restoration neared completion, Auer sadly passed away. The previous owner arranged to ship the car to Seattle, Washington where British restoration expert Randall Fehr was engaged to complete the restoration. The current owner purchased the car in February 2014 and the restoration was completed later that year, at that time showing 46,704 miles. Today the car now shows 47,654 miles, though total miles are unknown.

Records accompanying the car document the comprehensive engine rebuild, including extra-long heli-coils, new piston rings, new main and conrod bearings, new seals, gaskets, new valve seats with liquid ice, refitted oil plugs, and the cylinder head machined for a special rubber-coated chain tensioner. Extensive parts were also purchased new from Mk14 including a new water pump, anti-rollbar, wishbones, stainless steel exhausts, to name a few of the many parts acquired and installed on the car. In 2012 the car was shipped to Seattle where expert Randall Fehr took over the restoration refining the engine work, testing various components, adjusting the carburetors, and road testing the car. During that time the head was removed and resurfaced, the brakes removed, and refitted, and other details resolved. In addition to Fehr’s detailed work dialing in the engine, the interior was completed using black leather for the seats and door panels and Wilton wool carpeting.

The finished restoration combines the charm of an authentic Elite with tastefully enhanced features including dual SU carburetors for more performance, a four-branch exhaust manifold with stainless steel exhaust, a superior operation Smith’s heater, a fully synchromesh Type 9 5-speed gearbox with balanced gear ratios, and a Gustafson gear reduction starter with Optima battery for jovial starting moments certain to chase away the Prince of Darkness. The combined efforts in restoration and upgrades have resulted in very fine car with fewer than 1,000 miles driven since completion. Recent compression and leakdown results are reported as follows:

Compression (warm)
195, 190, 197, 190

Leakdown (cold)
100%, 100%, 98%, 99%

Current Condition
Today this Lotus Elite presents as one might expect from a professionally restored car. Finishes are very nice throughout including beautiful white paint with excellent coverage and gloss. The doors, hood and trunk open and close confidently and the pure body lines are nicely accented by chrome wire wheels, shod with Vredestein Sprint Classic tires of appropriate size, showing ample tread remaining.

The interior is in excellent condition having been comprehensively reupholstered with the best materials available. Correct finishes and trim, tight contours for the seats and door panels, correct foam padding, excellent quality Wilton wool carpeting, and a correct wood rimmed steering wheel with Lotus emblem completes the interior to a very high standard. Instruments and switches are meticulously detailed with clarity on the faces and glass. The spare tire storage area, accessible from behind the seats, is finished with matching grey material, concealing a full-sized spare tire. The trunk area has been nicely finished in keeping with the quality of the interior.

The engine compartment has been restored to factory appearance with excellent detail applied to all components, hardware, hoses, and lines which show only modest signs of use since the restoration was completed six years ago. The undercarriage displays finishes consistent with the restoration, including stainless steel exhaust, a clean chassis pan, and rebuilt or refinished mechanical components showing just mild evidence of use. The undercarriage appears consistent with factory specifications showing once again the hallmarks of Lotus design including inboard rear disc brakes, race-bred suspension, and the sophisticated fiberglass monocoque design.

Included with the car
Two Weber 40 DCOE carburetors
Derrington style intake manifolds. No throttle / choke linkage
Original single SU carburetor
Original intake manifold
Original Smith pancake air filter
Original cast iron exhaust manifold
Original electric cooling fan and mounting bracket
Original Lucas 25079D starter
Original workshop manual
Coventry Climax FWE manual
FIA Documentation and passport
Invoices and other documentation from restoration
Original tools and roll
Thor hammer
Restored jack
Spare wheel and tire
Touch-up paint
Italian (Andrea Confezioni) Lotus logo garage cover

https://fantasyjunction.com/inventory/1960-lotus-ba-t-auction-preview-elite-s2/overview

1960 Lotus Elite 1.2 L Coventry Climax FWE Inline-4 is listed sold on ClassicDigest in Emeryville by Fantasy Junction for Not priced.

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