16th Feb, 2012 13:30
The Pavilion Gardens
1978 Lotus Elite 502
Estimated at £4,500 - £5,500
Lot details
Registration No: UOH194S
Chassis No: 7804/1206A
Mot Expiry: Jan 2013
The Type 75 Elite of 1974 not only revived a famous Lotus name from the past, but represented the company's first foray into Saloon car territory. Its two-door, four-seater, fibreglass hatchback bodyshell was designed by Oliver Winterbottom and mounted on a steel backbone chassis evolved from those of the Elan and Europa. The newcomer was powered by an equally new Lotus engine, the all-alloy DOHC four-cylinder 907 unit of 1973cc. It drove through the rear wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox developed from that of the Austin Maxi. As tested by Motor magazine, the Elite was capable of sprinting to 60mph in around 7.8 seconds and on to a top speed of around 125mph. There was the option of three levels of trim and equipment, dubbed 501, 502 and 503. Suspension was independent all round by wishbones and coil springs at the front and transverse links, semi-trailing arms and coil springs at the rear. Braking was by discs at the front and drums mounted inboard at the rear. Steering was by rack and pinion and the Lotus rode on 7Jx14 alloy wheels. The body was the result of a new injection moulding process and highly praised for the standard of its finish. The handsome interior was the work of Giugiaro.
This right-hand drive Elite 502 left the Hethel factory in 1978 and sports White fibreglass bodywork and a Black leather interior. The vendor tells us he is the eighth keeper and that the Lotus was extensively restored to a very high standard in the late 1990s. Apparently the engine was thoroughly refurbished and a five-speed manual Getrag gearbox installed. A selection of special stainless steel door beams and suspension components were made and fitted, while the general preparation and painting was carried out by Banks of Southport, an independent Lotus Europa specialist. The power steering was also uprated. The vendor currently considers the Elite to have "excellent" bodywork, engine, transmission, and interior trim (apart from the headlining) and "very good" paintwork. The odometer currently shows an unwarranted 53,211 miles and the Elite is MOT'd and taxed until July.
PLEASE NOTE: This vehicle does not have any tax.
PLEASE NOTE: This vehicle has an MOT until January 2013.
Registration No: UOH194S
Chassis No: 7804/1206A
Mot Expiry: Jan 2013
The Type 75 Elite of 1974 not only revived a famous Lotus name from the past, but represented the company's first foray into Saloon car territory. Its two-door, four-seater, fibreglass hatchback bodyshell was designed by Oliver Winterbottom and mounted on a steel backbone chassis evolved from those of the Elan and Europa. The newcomer was powered by an equally new Lotus engine, the all-alloy DOHC four-cylinder 907 unit of 1973cc. It drove through the rear wheels via a five-speed manual gearbox developed from that of the Austin Maxi. As tested by Motor magazine, the Elite was capable of sprinting to 60mph in around 7.8 seconds and on to a top speed of around 125mph. There was the option of three levels of trim and equipment, dubbed 501, 502 and 503. Suspension was independent all round by wishbones and coil springs at the front and transverse links, semi-trailing arms and coil springs at the rear. Braking was by discs at the front and drums mounted inboard at the rear. Steering was by rack and pinion and the Lotus rode on 7Jx14 alloy wheels. The body was the result of a new injection moulding process and highly praised for the standard of its finish. The handsome interior was the work of Giugiaro.
This right-hand drive Elite 502 left the Hethel factory in 1978 and sports White fibreglass bodywork and a Black leather interior. The vendor tells us he is the eighth keeper and that the Lotus was extensively restored to a very high standard in the late 1990s. Apparently the engine was thoroughly refurbished and a five-speed manual Getrag gearbox installed. A selection of special stainless steel door beams and suspension components were made and fitted, while the general preparation and painting was carried out by Banks of Southport, an independent Lotus Europa specialist. The power steering was also uprated. The vendor currently considers the Elite to have "excellent" bodywork, engine, transmission, and interior trim (apart from the headlining) and "very good" paintwork. The odometer currently shows an unwarranted 53,211 miles and the Elite is MOT'd and taxed until July.
PLEASE NOTE: This vehicle does not have any tax.
PLEASE NOTE: This vehicle has an MOT until January 2013.
Auction: The Pavilion Gardens, 16th Feb, 2012
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