We’re getting to a point where seeing a classic car below $2500 is becoming rarer than spotting a unicorn at a Sasquatch convention. So, we must check it out when a classic British car with a famous racing name pops up for sale below $2k. Check out this 1974 Lotus Elite for sale here on Facebook Marketplace. Located in Bullard, Texas, this shooting brake is being sold for $1,400. Is this car worthy of a restoration? Or should it be left in the woods to return to the earth? The low price at least warrants a discussion. Thank you so much to BCB42 for sending in this fascinating tip!
Lotus is synonymous with racing. Who can’t help but think of the green Type 49 carving up the F1 racetracks of the late 60s with a DFV screaming behind the driver? Or the black John Player Specials of the 70s and 80s? These were serious, successful, and beautiful race cars. Lotus parlayed this racing spirit into their street cars and brought many great sports cars to the market for us to enjoy. From the Esprit to the Elise to the Evija, the Lotus marque has managed to bring many excellent sports cars for the public to enjoy.
This Elite is a curious example from the Lotus stable. I honestly had never heard of this model before this article, but after learning more about it, I am delighted I could research and write about it. Unfortunately, the seller doesn’t give us much to go on in this listing for this particular example. The five pictures in the listing are all cut off and don’t give a full shot of the car. We are told that the engine is the Lotus 907 16 valve, only has 50k miles on it, and that it “ran when parked.” This leaves too much information to the imagination!
Most of us probably think the same thing about this listing: this car is toast. Buried in wet pine needles, you can sense the rust through the screen. But you also can’t help but think about what you could do with this car for this price. There aren’t many of these kicking around the states, so if the frame is sound enough to drive, why not just get it running and take it to your local cars and coffee? You will most definitely be the only Lotus Elite there. Or, rob the motor and stick it in your track-nose T or a lakester project? Or, pull the motor out, throw in an American V-8, and make it a sleeper? Regardless of what you would do with this, the low price makes this car an intriguing option in the classic car market.
Hmmm, the Radial T/As seem a bit out of place, but hey – those rims should be worth something?
Looks like the offspring of a Lotus and Gremlin.
The Lotus Elite used a lot of AMC COTS items, so yes, the door handles (and various other parts) are probably AMC (Gremlin). Funky front end mod to eliminate the pop-up headlights that didn’t lower unless a vacuum was available.
Morris Marina (or Austin Maxi), I think. Lots of low-volume cars used stock BL parts rather than make their own. Was built in Englandshire, mind.
Here in the states it was called the Austin Marina, had one myself. Was a decent little car.
BTW the listing has been pulled…
The presentation alone would keep me walking by.
This car would be good for shooting practice.
“the low price makes this car an intriguing option in the classic car market.”
Not sure free is low enough………
I kind of dig these things, but the missing passenger rear quarter window and the coating of pine needles don’t bear well for the interior which is admittedly the coolest part of these. No interior shots is a bad sign too. probably not worth it, especially without title
I can’t even imagine why someone would let a car like this rot into the ground. Some people have no sense.
This Lotus is the definition of the word “Yuck.” A broom and a hose are unavailable in Ballard, TX?
“A broom and a hose are unavailable in Ballard, TX?”
Why would that be a surprise?
I owned a red 77 Elite, yes say what you want. The posting is now gone. Great deal for a parts car.
That car is screaming to be crushed
The listing is now gone, but I was going to say that if this sale does not work, next step is to pay someone to haul it off to the junkyard.
Either that, or ignore it for another 20 – 30 years and watch it slowly return to the earth.
There doesn’t actually seem to be a listing for this car.
As is said of other British “classics”, there is nothing more expensive than a “cheap” Lotus…
I think the Golden Gate (San Francisco) Lotus Club put an unnamed V-8 in one and it blew up…
I usually hate cars/trucks that get hosed down before a photo shoot. I would make an exception here.
On the plus side, you’d never have to buy a pine-scented rearview mirror air freshener ever again.
Lotus Eclat