1961 Lotus MK14 Elite 'Super 95'

With the Lotus 14 of 1959 - better known as the Elite - Colin Chapman demonstrated that his skills as a racing car designer and constructor could just as easily be applied to production road cars.

The Elite was as innovative as Lotus's outright competition cars and featured a fibreglass monocoque body, independent suspension all round (based on that of Lotus' F1 cars of the period), and four-wheel disc brakes with the rears mounted inboard. It was powered by the four-cylinder Coventry-Climax FWE, a single-overhead-cam unit of 1,216cc and the gearbox was typically either a ZF, or a BMC supplied unit.

The classically shaped body was extremely aerodynamic thanks to the pen of Frank Costin and was one of the leading factors in the Elite being incredibly successful on, as well as off the track! The Elite was a class winner across the globe in International Motor races, notably at Le Mans where it won its class 5 times!

This particular car, chassis 1947, was delivered in 1962 as a Series 2 Super 95 car. The Super 95 was a car that enjoyed more power from an engine that had a higher level of tune, with raised compression and a fiercer camshaft with 5 bearings. It returned from the USA in 1988 and was subsequently totally restored as a race car in "Le Mans" period livery for well known racers, Christopher Ross and Malcom Ricketts. Invited to the Silverstone Historic Festival every year from 1993 to 1999 inclusive, the car was very successful in class. Infact in 1995 it finished 15th overall out of a grid of 47, on the same lap as the overall winner, after racing against no less than 5 Ferrari GTO's (passing 2 of them!) and an Aston Martin GT Zagato.

The car has since been raced extensively across Europe and has become well known in the historic paddock as one of the most competitive Elites out there today. A complete history file covers many of the car's racing efforts over the past 2 decades.

Looked after with no expense spared in recent years by Neil Twyman Ltd, the car has been welcomed at all the major historic British and European racing events. It was given an entry at the 2014 'Le Mans Classic', however, the current owner was in the fortunate position of having two entries and chose to use his other car for the event itself. It has also been invited to Goodwood for the Members Meeting, Spa for the '6 Hours' as well as Carol Spagg's superb Pre '63 GT Series, in which it has raced on numerous occasions.

This well known car is prepared to the highest standard and is currently configured with the stronger, more useable ZF S4-12 gearbox. The engine produces circa 110 brake horse power, and is on the button and ready to use. The new style FIA HTP are approved, and being processed at the time of writing and it also has a valid FIVA passport. This well known and race-ready Elite offers a turn-key opportunity for someone at a fraction of the cost of the competition.