Lotus first applied the Elite name to an achingly pretty two-seat coupe that was produced from 1958 through 1963 and nice ones command high prices. In 1974, Lotus revived the Elite model name and placed it on a four-seat coupe-station wagon-hatchback thing. An example of a first year Type 75 Elite is for sale on Hemmings Motor News in Bloomfield, Connecticut for $5,000 OBO.
By the 1970s Lotus was seeking to move upmarket with their road car offerings and the Elite was their first step in that plan. Like previous Lotus offerings, the new Elite had a fiberglass body mounted on a steel backbone chassis. It was also the first Lotus to utilize the Lotus-designed and built DOHC four-cylinder 907 engine. Prior to this time, Lotus would buy in engines from larger carmakers and apply their own modifications to them.
Styling duties were assigned to Oliver Winterbottom with supervision by Lotus founder Colin Chapman. Winterbottom designed a hatchback or shooting brake style car with a wedge-shaped profile. The low nose-high tail look was all the rage in the early part of the 1970s with both British and Italian car makers embracing it. How successful the Elite’s styling was is certainly in the eye of the beholder. One wag described it as, “the love child of a Triumph TR7 and an AMC Gremlin.”
The interior is a testament to the 1970s as well with its deep, high bolstered seating and chunky dashboard. There is enough wood present to help break up the swathes of plain plastic surfacing, but there are still enough exposed screw heads inside to remind the occupants that the Elite was not a product of a major manufacturer.
The seller of this first year Elite says it is complete but that it is not a running car, but what it will take to get it running is an open question. It appears that there have been some attempts to diagnose its issues since the photos in the ad show various engine bits removed and a couple of shop manuals in the passenger seat. Mechanical parts may not be too much of an issue since there are a couple of good sources for them here in the US. Failing that, there are several clubs in the UK that may be able to help or at least offer a sympathetic ear.
Somewhat worryingly, there are several toggle switches visible under the dashboard and some of the wiring in the engine bay does not appear to be as it left the factory. On the plus side, Lotus used a lot of components and trim from British Leyland and owners of late MGBs can easily spot items such as switchgear, brake booster and air vents that can be obtained easily if replacements are needed.
Body-wise, any good fiberglass artist should be able to rectify the usual stress cracking and other common issues. The potential buyer would be well advised to inspect the chassis closely since body removal and chassis replacement can be an involved and expensive undertaking. Unfortunately, the seller has not provided any undercarriage photos with the ad. While the Elites of this generation have not been eagerly sought after, they are still Lotuses and I’ll bet that values will be on the rise in the future. Is it an investment that you want to make?
A mutt of the highest caliber. maybe good for a parts car. Soo ugly, if it was a woman I would say she’s been kissing moving bumpers.
Good luck to the new owner!
The dark lord Lucas undoubtedly lurks within. Only the bravest wizards who can summon fire without flint nor tinder need apply.
I see carburetors on passenger side floorboard.
Looks like a Gremlin that’s had a series of botched plastic surgeries. Moving on…
run – fast!
Its not in need of restoration, more like resurrection…
I have never been able to get my mind around Lotus, how could they build one of the prettiest cars of all time (esprit) and one of the best weekend race cars ever designed (7) and almost everything else they built makes me want to re-eat regurgitated vomit.
Really? Ever seen and/or driven an S1-4 Elan? Or an Elise? (I own/have owned both, and a Europa as well).
So, maybe not almost “everything” else they made was revolting…..
What is this thing doing inside? Roll it outside and forget about it. Then wait for another sucker to buy it
Just walk away
Walk? Run!
Yeah, these are weird looking but I wouldn’t say ugly. They work better when you’re standing next to the actual car. It’s the height, width and stance. I’ve always liked them. Just saw a yellow one a few months back that looked better and not jumping off the trailer for $2K. With that said $1200-1500 is about all it’s worth even with one of the coolest wheel designs ever.
Lotus had planned to make a V8 version but their constant fiscal woes and the fuel crisis wouldn’t let that happen. I’ve read of fairly straightforward Rover V8 swaps in these though.
What could go wrong??????
REALLY?????
LOL
Where do I start!!!???
The good part is that you don’t have to look at it when/if you get to drive it!
I hear that they drive and handle well. ( it is a Lotus). But I am not sure what you could change on this car to improve it’s appearance.
Hey we have a good photo-shop guy on here (I remember a chopped hearse that looked pretty good when you were done!). How about changing the proportions a little. Maybe make it a fastback instead of a shooting brake? And shorten up the nose a little?
No need for Photoshop, as Lotus already made a fastback variant called the Eclat, which later evolved into the Excel.
Anything anyone does to it will be an improvement. What a sad little car.
What could go wrong? How about what could go right? It would take a lot less time to list. Even if this car was 100% restored they’re not worth much – it’s the cheapest Lotus you can buy. If it was in decent shape and running and driving for 5,000 bucks it might be ok…but in this shape? nooooo run run.
In the process of building one utilising a Jaguar 4 litre v8 with manual transmission.Although the purists won’t like it having owned several lotus in the past you cannot fault their handling drive like on rails.Whoever buys this should do what I am doing and allow at least 5years to build and then hopefully their value may have risen.
I have just purchased a 1977 Elite and I am more than happy with my buy. Its a basket case, just like this one, but once its restored it will be a wonderful testament to Chapman. I already have a 1989 Lotus Esprit SE and it has never let me down. I would say most of you posting in this thread are not experienced in vehicle restoration, engineering or even able to operate a screwdriver – but expect things to run perfectly without fault (like their owners). Perhaps those types are better suited to a Corolla or similar. Leave the engineering to those who know what they’re doing.