1960 Lotus Elite

Make

Lotus

Model

Elite

Year

1960

Listed price

$49,500

Location

Astoria, New York

Transmission

Automatic

Mileage

0 miles

The Lotus Elite, introduced in 1957, was nothing short of revolutionary. Colin Chapman's vision of a lightweight, aerodynamically efficient sports car culminated in the Elite, the world's first production car to feature a fiberglass monocoque chassis. This innovative construction technique, combined with its sleek Peter Kirwan-Taylor design, allowed the Elite to achieve remarkable performance from its modest Coventry Climax FWE 1.2-liter engine. A dominant force in endurance racing, Elites frequently punched above their weight, famously winning their class at Le Mans six times. Only about 1,030 Series I Elites were produced, making each surviving example a significant piece of automotive history and a testament to Lotus's early engineering prowess. This 1960 Lotus Elite, chassis number 24704, represents a truly compelling opportunity to acquire one of these groundbreaking machines. Emerging from long-term storage, this Series I Elite is presented in an original red exterior complemented by a tan interior, offering a largely complete canvas for restoration. While it is not currently running and is missing key components such as the alternator, starter, and distributor, its honest and straight condition provides an excellent foundation. The odometer shows 0 miles, indicating a fresh start for its next chapter. This is a chance to revive a legendary sports car and experience the pure, unadulterated driving ethos of early Lotus.