Lotus : Other Elite Type 75

1975 Lotus Elite "Tomorrow's Car To-Day” - Manual. Great Driving Car 1975 Lotus Elite "Tomorrow's Car To-Day” - Manual. Great Driving Car 1976 Lotus Elite “Tomorrow's Car To-Day” - Type 75/080353B 

From 1974 to 1982. Lotus produced the four seat. considerably larger Type 75 and later Type 83 Elite. Lotus sought with this design to position itself upmarket. and move away from its kit car past. The Elite replaced the ageing Lotus Elan Plus 2. whilst the mid engined Lotus Esprit replaced the Europa.
The Elite was configured as a small shooting brake. with a hatchback luggage compartment. It was front engined with rear wheel drive. Like all production Lotuses since the Elan. the Elite used fibreglass for the hatchback bodyshell. mounted on a steel backbone chassis evolved from the Elan and Europa. It had 4-wheel independent suspension using coil springs. The Elite was Lotus' first car to use the 907 aluminium-block 4-valve. DOHC. four-cylinder. 1973cc. developing 155 bhp. (The 907 engine had previously been used in Jensen-Healeys. ) The 907 engine ultimately became the foundation for the 2. 0 L and 2. 2 L Lotus Esprit powerplants. the naturally aspirated 912 and the turbocharged 910. The Elite was fitted with a 4 or 5 speed gearbox and from January 1976 automatic transmission was optional.
The Elite had a claimed drag co-efficient of 0. 30 and at the time of launch it was the world's most expensive four cylinder car. The Elite's striking shape was designed by Oliver Winterbottom. He is quoted as saying that the basic chassis and suspension layout were designed by Colin Chapman. making the Elite and its sister design the Eclat the last Lotus road cars to have significant design input from Chapman himself.
Although larger and more luxurious than previous Lotus road cars. the Elite and Éclat are relatively light. with kerb weights not much over 2. 00 lb (1. 43 kg). The performance and handling are impressive for cars of the era. [Wikipedia]
This 1976 Lotus Elite left the factory in Hethel. England on August 8th 1975. It is North American spec and is a well-survived and cared for example. The previous owners are both BC residents and were both members of the Lotus Car Club of British Columbia. Care was taken to keep this 76 Elite in top running condition. Parts were sourced from varying sources around the world as documented with copies of emails and receipts. Mileage is quite low at just 75. 66 miles (showing. and believed accurate). The car has had one obvious re-paint. many years ago. From twenty feet it looks fairly good. but upon closer examination numerous flaws are evident in the paint and metal finishes. It does look great and still has a nice shine. There is no evidence of body damage. The original 5mph foam bumpers are still intact and in respectable condition for their age. The interior is in nicely patina'd condition. with only a few tears on the seats. We don't know when it was last serviced. but it fires up instantly and does not smoke or stutter. Gears shift cleanly. Tires have good tread. although we have not found the date code.  
Overall. this is a very good driving example of one of the most unusual designs to come out of Lotus. Heralded as “Tomorrow's Car To-Day” in an accompanying writeup from 1974. the Elite Type 75 is avant-garde and was one of the most economical. spirited. and futuristic cars of its era. At 50 mph it was said to achieve a staggering 39. 8 mpg. It comes complete with owners manual. workshop books. receipts. some old club magazines. a complete tool kit. and a box of spare or replaced parts.
These 1970s angular designs have become increasingly collectable in the past few years. Mangustas. Espadas. and numerous other futuristic body designs have begun to appreciate in value and be appreciated by car lovers around the world. Lotus are famous for their quick and nimble characteristics. the Elite is no exception to this tradition. It is a four-seater sports car through and through.

Please call Robert at +1 (250) 532-6547 to have any additional questions answered or to see the car in person.

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Used vehicles are sold "as is". "where is" with no warranties either expressed or implied. We do not accept refunds.

Winning bidder must contact us within 24 hours of the auction end. and make arrangements for payment at that time.  

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Buyer is responsible for pickup or shipping of this vehicle. F. O. B. Victoria. BC. Canada 

We can assist buyer with export/import and titling in Blaine. Washington at the buyers expense. The process is very simple. Please inquire about costs (shipping from Victoria to Blaine. brokerage fees. duty).

 _gsrx_vers_586 (GS 6. 8 (586))

On Mar-20-15 at 13:38:49 PDT. seller added the following information:

1976

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