Joining the Classic Car Sale, we are delighted to announce a very special entry, bought new by jazz legend Chris Barber, and recently restored by Ant Anstead and his team for Channel 4’s For the Love of Cars, due to be screened this autumn.
This 1958 Lotus Elite Series I is the very first Elite produced as a proper production vehicle rather than a pre-production prototype. It has an incredible race history having been raced extensively by Barber for five seasons in top level international sports car racing. As well as competing in three consecutive Tourist Trophy races at Goodwood in 1961, 1962 and 1963, the Elite raced at the Nurburgring and in the British Empire Trophy.
It was also driven by Mike Beckworth, Bob Olthoff, and regularly by Sir John Whitmore, the 'Racing Baronet', who famously broke the class lap record at Spa using ‘CB23’ while on his way to class victory in the Grand Prix GT Support Race of 1962.
Hidden away in storage for many years, the car has just emerged from a top quality, very exacting restoration carried out by Ant Anstead’s team at Evanta Motors with assistance from Lotus marque experts, with every detail restored to better than new standard. The result is car that is a joy to behold and a thrill to drive, in pristine condition and ready to race.
The car will be raced at the Silverstone Classic before being auctioned as the first lot of the day.
Its history and provenance make this Elite one of the most famous in the world and would be welcome at any prestigious historic race meeting or show worldwide.
Estimate (£): 75,000 - 100,000
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