1961 Lotus

Lotus Elite Climax S2, 1961.  RACING CAR.  Z/F Gearbox.  Owned by Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits and his racing team Straightjacket Racing based in London.  We saw him racing this car at the Goodwood Revival meeting a number of years ago.  The car has been successfully campaigned by a series of well known drivers within the racing fraternity.   The very interesting fact is that this is one of a pair of “R” for racing (as appears in the margins of the Lotus build sheets) Elites supplied by the factory on 27th October 1961.  Chassis No. EB 1818 sold to a Mr A.D.Bennett (Ecurie R.C.S Racing Team(GB)) and our car Chassis No. EB 1852 to Mr. Derek C.Anderson of Ecurie R.C.S. Racing Team (GB) (mis-spelt in Lotus Cars Ltd. build sheet as they had him as D.C.Alderson).  These two racing drivers were a two man team racing this brace of racing Elites.  We have searched through the factory build sheets for the Elite and these are the only two Elise designated “R” for racing.  This Elite has been a racing car since manufacture and was also briefly road registered between 1963-1967 and we have the original “buff” coloured Log Book in the very extensive history file.  Engine rebuilt in 2013. Recent $18,000 respray in the U.S.A. where it spent a number of years on the racing circuit.  This car has been on the same programme of races in the Silverstone International Trophy in May 1963 along with the likes of Graham Hill, Roy Salvadori, Dick Protheroe, Graham Warner,  Jackie Oliver, Mike Spence and many more racing luminaries.  Racing teams such as Team Elite, Protheroe Cars, John Coombs, The Chequered Flag etc were there on the day. Every piece of paperwork in the thick history folder tells a story and the car itself has a presence that is impossible to describe.  The car has a charm about it and starts on the button and the free-revving Climax engine with it’s twin Webers with it’s rasping soundtrack really makes you smile.  Superbly smooth Z/F gearbox.  4 new Dunlop Racing tyres in 2013.   Great handling all round with masses of recent preparation bills to show the effort that has gone into preparing the car.   Derek Bennett drove this car to 2nd Place at Oulton Park 6th April 1963 in the National Open Oulton Park.    Worldwide delivery can be arranged.