FOR SALE: 1980 Lotus Elite Mk2 2.2S

Widely regarded as the last Lotus to have benefitted from the engineering genius of the late Colin Chapman, the Lotus Elite was also, at the time of its launch, the world's most expensive four-cylinder car.

FAST FACTS

Year and Make/Model: 1980 Lotus Elite Mk2 2.2S

Engine: 2.2L 4-cylinder petrol

Transmission: 5-speed Manual

Mileage: 55 065km

Colour: Silver

Location: Johannesburg

PRICE: no longer available

Launched in 1974, the Lotus Elite replaced the ageing Elan +2, and the goal was to move Lotus on from its "kit-car" past. Oliver Winterbottom penned the wild, wedge-shaped shooting-brake design, and underneath it featured a steel backbone chassis that is said to have been the work of the legendary Colin Chapman. This makes the Elite (and its sister car, the Eclat), the last Lotuses to  have significant design input from Chapman himself.

This silver example is a 1980 Mk2 car (Type 83), and therefore features the larger 2.2L engine introduced at the time of the facelift. The engine in this car has been the subject of a 6-year long rebuild. 

This Lotus comes with a thick history file, documenting its past in detail, including the hand-written deposit letter - the car was brought into South Africa in 1986 by a Miss Jane Louise Bagshaw, who later moved back to England. 

The car is in original condition (body and interior) and it is running.

NOTE: The above information was supplied by the dealer currently advertising this vehicle and has not been verified by SentiMETAL/Cars.co.za.