Lotus likes model names that start with the letter “E”. There’s the Elan, Europa, Esprit and now, the Elite. I say now because I haven’t encountered one before but they’ve been around for a good number of years. This Elite, which is considered a project car, is located in San Diego, California and is available, here on Facebook Marketplace for $5,500.
The Elite name first surfaced in 1957 but our example is known as a Type 75 that was offered between 1974 and 1980. Total production volume for this 2+2, including the later Type 83 Elite (1980-1982) was about 2,500 copies. It is considered a Class S, sportscar but having a back seat and side quarter windows puts this car more in a touring class, though backseat touring could be more like backseat torture – it looks tight!
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and with that thought, I can’t say what this Lotus reminds me of. I see a lot of different styling elements – some that work and others that don’t. The front and rear seem as if they’re from two different designs but together, they supposedly render a drag coefficient somewhere in the .30 range. No doubt about it, this claimed 57K mile rear-wheel driver is in nice shape. The deep blue finish is strong and there is no evidence of any body damage.
Power is provided by a sophisticated-looking 155 HP, 2.0 liter, inline four-cylinder engine connected to a five-speed manual transmission. The seller suggests, “(it) needs mechanical refurbishment as it hasn’t driven in over a decade. At a minimum needs brake work and a valve job, but deserves a body-off restoration“. So no, it doesn’t sound like a driver.
The interior is certainly presents well. The two-tone contrast is subtle and pleasing and the upholstery is in very clean, non-worn condition – it’s tough to keep light beige seats as clean looking as these appear! The dash has a very hard-edged boxy look about itself that reminds me more of early ’80s Japanese cars – maybe this design is where all of that originated. Regardless, the interior appears to need no attention.
This Lotus was for sale about a year ago and was offered on Bring a Trailer but the seller explains, “I acquired this car last year, but some medical issues kept me from being able to work on it for the last several months“. So, here it goes again, this time trading at a discount and looking for a new owner, any takers out there?
looks like hot wheels car I woulda had when I was 12….might be great handling an performing car, idk, hard to get past the looks for me…especially the kermit the frog headlights
They are pop up!
In the mid ’80’s I flew to Los Angeles area
to look at one of these near Burbank.I figured that
I could talk my Wife into it,as there was room for
the four of us.
When I test drove it,the headliner was sagging,
the glove box door wouldn’t stay shut,& when we got
back to the seller’s shop antifreeze puked out on the floor.
When I told him I didn’t want to buy it,he said “Why not?”.
Custom AMC Gremlin.
I think Gremlins are much more reliable,& cheaper
to maintain.
Styling stunner? More like styling blunder.
The angular hodge-podge design was a disaster.
I dunno… With the headlights down and the Euro bumpers I kinda like them. Both could be fixed on this one, and it looks to be in good shape.
Yeah, I never could warm to that rear end, rear window treatment. Not one of Lotus finest styling jobs… and IMHO quite a few Lotus designs fall short of being beautiful. and I’d agree, few would argue that build quality and mechanical reliability were their strong points either.
But then, neither of those things is their reason to exist.
They are designed to be light and handle like race cars, which they do. superb driving cars.
I had a red one in the 70s as a kid…as a Corgi die cast model. Loved the quirky looks then and still love them now!
“Stunning” for all the wrong reasons.
I have been a Lotus owner for almost 40 years with an Europa and Esprit Turbo. I have driven a few of these and I have sat in the back which for a man of 5′-9″ was not that bad. I would not like to sit there from Kansas City to Denver but around town it was quite acceptable.
As for the engine I have been told that up to 220HP is available if you turbo it as it is in most respects the same engine as in an Esprit. The interior is NOT made with the best materials but I can assure you that those seats are comfortable and the car handles better than any 3-series BMW I have ever driven. I agree about the rear end design. That just looks WRONG but it is very practical. A friend had one in black and drove it all the time until a gravel truck tried to take a short cut thru a parking lot. There was more left than you might expect but it was totaled.
What most do not understand was that these were designed as safety cars and used the new for the time parallel fiberglass panels. On the top and bottom of these cars were two molds made and the panels were made in those molds and later bonded together to form a single unit. In the voids was a structural foam so that they acted as if they we a full thickness piece. Very light and very very strong. All the Esprit’s are made this way.
The biggest problem I have found with Lotus cars is many of the owners. They want the look but do not wish to care for the car that gives them that look. These are not like your typical car. Think more like race car and given the company that makes them that is not far off the mark.
The worst thing about them is the wiring. Some had natural rubber insulation or very poor plastic insulation that deteriorated over time. When Restoring I would suggest a new loom or that the owner take out the existing loom, nail it to a piece of plywood and replace it with new teflon coated wires and better connectors.
But as stated these cars ride very well, drive like race cars, are far more comfortable than you might think and if you can get over that back end are not that bad looking. Given that they do not rust on the body and the frame is easily reparable these are a far better car now especially if you can put some additional power into them.
Now if the Elite only looked good.
I owned one for a couple of years and have to say it was as comfortable to ride in as a modern day Bentley is. Purple exterior and white leatherette interior. Unfortunately, the informal acronym Lotus (Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious) rang true. However, I have never ever driven a car that attracted that many looks and comments from passers by and as a collector, I have had and driven a fair number of classics over the past decades.
A Lotus on Barn Find all together! Lotus had some stunning designs and this in not one of them.
When I think of Lotus, I think of Emma Peel…in a good way.
Yes i had a red 77 Elite for a few years, many small problems, and a big car with only a 4 cyl. Luv those rear seats!!
Not one photo of the car offered with the headlights in the down position, which would be the money shot on this design. Obviously, those motors are not working and yet no mention of this in the descriptions in either BF or BaT.
The headlights pop up about 20-30 minutes after the engine stops running. Then back down and stay down when the engine is running again. It is an engineering defect I was told and has to do with the headlights’ hydraulic motors. Another crazy defect is the rear window wiper that needs to be removed to open the boot/trunk. I really liked mine though and regret having sold it.
Headlights are vacuum-operated, probably using vacuum to hold them shut, so the fail-safe default mode is popped up.
Bruce. You have given the best explanation I have read yet. People forget where these cars come from. They also forget that Oliver Winterbottom won a prestigious safety award for design. These cars are as good as any other. Maintenance is the key. Keep them right and they serve very well.
All I know is that if it was close to me it would be mine for that money, Pinto/Gremlin rear end and all.
People always judge these by photos. Standing next to one is altogether different. Low & wide stance like nothing else. The roof is only a little higher than your hip. And some of the coolest wheels…ever!
Always wanted one of these. Love the design and the perfect contrasting colors on this one. The brit car shop I work at has no trouble working on these beauties or any Lotus.
If it was closer I’d be in big trouble.
Gale. Just go for it, you know you want too. Perfect combination car. And you work in an English car shop. What more could you ask for. They are great car’s. I know, I have three of them, including an auto.
“I acquired this car last year, but some medical issues kept me from being able to work on it for the last several months“.
Perhaps his medical issue was the heart attack that he suffered when he realized what he had actually purchased from BaT.