It’s always exciting to see a rare or important car in the flesh. Today we are recalling our visit to Acespeed Historic Motorsport in Shipley to see a car that disappeared off the scene for about 20 years.
The car, which had been in storage for around 20 years, was being prepared for a 50th anniversary celebration at Lotus Headquarters in Hethal. Not restoration but servicing to make sure it can stop and go. A final decision on what to do with the car has yet to be made.
When I arrived the car was sat on the ramps and it looked pretty good for a 50 year old car. Once wheeled out into the sunlight I could see what a good looking car it is. Very angular as you would expect for a 70’s car but it wouldn’t look out of place in a showroom today.
The car is painted in metallic green. Not the original green as between the original paint and the current paint it was painted in the black and gold JPS colours. Whilst the bodywork hasn’t rusted it has suffered the usual fibreglass maladies. The paintwork has bubbled due to water penetration, there are a few stress cracks and some delamination. But all fixable. The square Morris Marina door handles look well on this angular car.
It took me a while to work out what was different about the body shape and it eventually dawned on me that the prototype had a fixed window and a boot. The production car had a glass opening rear window and more angular body work. I appreciate that the opening rear window are more practical, but I think I prefer the line of the prototype.
The interior is classic 1970’s, Boxy shapes, lots of plastic wood veneer and cream leather. In line with Lotus’s policy of raiding the parts bin, the glove box came form the Ford Cortina. The prototype was sporting a JPS badge on the steering wheel, possibly a hangover from its days with the Lotus F1 team.
The seats and interior panels are a bit saggy but not damaged so some new foam and a good clean should bring them up to spec.
The dilemma now is what to do with the car. A full restoration could take it beyond its value, but how do you value a one off prototype model? As a rare prototype it could open the door to many prestigious concours, shows and events. If that is what you like then it would be worth the investment.
There is no doubt that the car needs work and all the safety systems need to be fully operational. But returning the car to as new wouldn’t be appropriate as it was always a test mule. The most important thing is that the car is once again back in circulation and keeping the story of the Elite development alive.
Having been reintroduced to the Lotus Elite I think it would make a good useable classic if you can find a good one.
The Elite made it to the celebration of 50 years at Hethel and the car was briefly reunited with Mike Kimberley;
With thanks to Andy Harrison (above with Mike Kimberley) for his help with this article https://acespeed.co.uk/
