1961 Lotus Elite S2 - Garage Stored for many years

LOTUS ELITE S2  - Feb 1961

We are excited to be able to offer this rare opportunity of acquiring what must surely be one of the most unique Elites available today.

It is rare you come across any classic car, let alone a Lotus Elite, that has not been driven for over 50 years, yet has always been maintained in the very best of condition – but that is what Elite1609 appears to be.

This Elite has had just two owners from new, the current – now family ownership – has been since December 1970. It is finished in its original colour scheme of pale yellow with silver roof and black upholstery. It has the desirable ZF gearbox, twin SU carbs and is a matching numbers rhd UK car. This Elite is still registered on its original buff log book, but with a modern V5 present.

The car’s last MOT was in 1971, at which point it had covered just 24,552 miles. A year later in 1972 it was taken off the road, as it not big enough for the owner’s expanding family after the arrival of a baby daughter. Having only completed a further 1,176 miles in that year, it must surely make it one of the most lightly used Elites available today, having covered a total of only 25,728 genuine miles in its lifetime, but none in the last 53 years!

Yet despite the Elite being so little used, the fastidious owner embarked on a restoration programme in the late 2000’s. This included a full engine re-build, suspension, steering and brake replacement, wheels and body re-spray – we have bills for over £7,000 being spent on parts alone and a nice photographic record of the work done comes with the car. The family re-call that the owner entrusted Sir Stirling Moss’s ex-race mechanic and preparer – Don Haldenby (whose workshops were in the same town) to do the work, which is a testimony to the level of workmanship lavished on this Elite.

Unfortunately, the owner never got to drive the car one last time – as the restoration was not quite finished by the time he passed away.  As can be seen from the photos finishing includes: fitting of carpets, seats, finishing of brake and clutch lines and various other smaller items (pictured) including completion of wiring. All of which we would be happy to discuss with potential new owners, as the work could be carried out here at Automotive Sporting Heritage, prior to collection.

In addition to this finishing work, we recommend the Elite is re-commissioned before use, as it has sat for a long time – having said that, the engine starts readily and runs as it should, bodywork, gearbox, suspension and running gear all appear good, so we believe it would not take a great deal of work to get it back on the road, and being enjoyed.

As this Elite has done so little in its life, the history folder is inevitably small. It does, however, come with its original buff log book (in pristine condition), a folder of bills, last MOT, original workshop manual and photos of the most recent renovation work being carried out.

As specialist in the MK14, we have comprehensively examined the Elite, and produced a 130 point vehicle check report which comes with the car. Our findings are surprisingly flattering considering the time it has been off the road.  

We are therefore proud to be selling this honest Elite on behalf of the owner’s family, and genuinely believe it to be an unmissable opportunity to acquire an extremely low milage Lotus Elite in good usable condition, once finishing and light re-commissioning work has been completed.

Realistically priced to sell, allowing for the required finishing and re-commissioning work to get this lovely example back on the road.