Rare 1974 Lotus Elite 501, Original Paint, Plates Garage Find, 1 of 687 Produced

Make: Lotus
Model: Other
SubModel: Elite 501, Shooting Brake, Hatchback Coupe
Type: 2 Door, Shooting Brake, Hatchback Coupe
Trim: Elite 501, Shooting Brake, Hatchback Coupe
Year: 1974
Mileage: 16,823
VIN: 0044B
Color: White
Engine size: 907 aluminium-block 4-valve, DOHC,
Number of cylinders: 4
Power options: Power Locks, Power Windows
Fuel: Gasoline
Transmission: Manual
Drive type: RWD
Interior color: Gold
Drive side: Left-hand drive
Options: Cassette Player
Vehicle Title: Clear
Location: Stateline, Nevada, United States

Description

Up for Auction is a Rare Garage Find Built in the United Kingdom!
This is a 1974 Lotus Elite 501!1 of just 2522 Produced Over a Nine-Year Period

AUCTIONED WITH A VERY LOW RESERVE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

VEHICLE BACKGROUND

From 1974 to 1982, Lotus produced the considerably larger four-seat Elite.

The Elite was configured as a small shooting brake with a glass rear hatch opening into the luggage compartment. It was front-engined with rear wheel drive. The Elite's fibreglass bodyshell was mounted on a steel backbone chassis evolved from the Elan and Europa. It had 4-wheel independent suspension using coil springs. The Elite was Lotus' first car to use the 907 aluminium-block 4-valve, DOHC, four-cylinder engine that displaced 1,973cc (120.4cuin) and developed 115.6kW (155hp). (The 907 engine had previously been used in Jensen-Healeys.) The 907 engine ultimately became the foundation for the 2.0 L and 2.2 L Lotus Esprit power-plants, the naturally aspirated 912 and the turbocharged 910. The Elite was fitted with a 4 or 5-speed gearbox.

The Elite had a claimed drag co-efficient of 0.30 and at the time of launch it was the world's most expensive four-cylinder car. The Elite's striking shape was designed by Oliver Winterbottom. He is quoted as saying that the basic chassis and suspension layout were designed by Colin Chapman, making the Elite and its sister design the Eclat the last Lotus road cars to have significant design input from Chapman himself.

The Elite was the basis for the Eclat, and the later Excel 2+2 coupés.

The Elite was the first model to use the innovative VARI (Vacuum Assisted Resin Injection) process for the GRP bodywork, and quality was high so it lasts well. Although larger and more luxurious than previous Lotus road cars, the Elite is relatively light, with curb weight less than 2,400 lbs.

VITAL STATISTICS

Engine 1973cc/4-cyl/DOHC

Power 155bhp@6600rpm

Torque 135lb ft@5000rpm

Top speed 131mph

0-60mph 8.1secs

Economy 22mpg

Gearbox Manual

VEHICLE CONDITION

The vehicle is an unrestored garage find and since the owner passed away, very little is known about the vehicle's past.

This retains it's original white color, although faded with patina, which is consistent with other California fiberglass autos and vehicles that are nearly fifty years old. The exterior has nicks and scratches but is in overall good condition for its age. Some touch up paint along the bevels on the side could be added.

The interior is the two tone, gold with leather work. The interior is mostly intact but there are deficiencies in the corners and in the carpeting as well. It could use a good cleaning as the spare tire on a Lotus Rim trunk and some extra parts in a box marked Lotus Elite were stored in the back seat. All of the glass is intact and appears to be original. Mechanically, the car is a bit of a time capsule, save the new battery and cables. The vehicle runs with prime gas, pouring gasoline directly into the carburetors. We believe it needs to have the fuel system gone over from the gas tank to the carburetors. All in all, a solid California 1974 Lotus that appears to need little to get it established as a daily driver.

The car will be sold with Records from the Estate as well as a: form to receive a duplicate title from the State of California signed by the owners family. I can assist you to obtain the title from the State if you are not in California and desire to ship the vehicle elsewhere.
The car loads easily and we can assist you to load upon a trailer. Please note for those potential buyers not residing in the continental US, we can assist to bring the vehicle to the international shipping that can occur in the greater Los Angeles area for shipping overseas. However, shipping will be the responsibility of the buyer as well as the cost to ship. Please contact me prior to the end of the auction regarding any international shipping as I want to be sure that we are on the same page. We have received quotes of $400 to ship from my location to the international shipping companies in the Compton / Los Angeles area.
As you can see the vehicle needs a good cleaning both inside and out and this would help to bring this car back to life. I may have missed something but I did my best to explain this vehicle.Please see the numerous photos and feel free to ask questions. Many accessories to beautify can be obtained online and there are a plethora of auto and part organizations dedicated to the restoration of these well beloved vehicles that are really beginning to increase in their value.
Terms and Conditions:
We will do our best to explain what we see but we are not mechanics. Please note that this vehicle is being sold as is, where is with no warranty, expressed written or implied. The seller shall not be responsible for the correct description, authenticity, genuineness, or defects herein, and makes no warranty in connection therewith. No allowance or set aside will be made on account of any incorrectness, imperfection, defect or damage. Any descriptions or representations are for identification purposes only and are not to be construed as a warranty of any type. It is the responsibility of the buyer to have thoroughly inspected the vehicle, and to have satisfied himself or herself as to the condition and value and to bid based upon that judgment solely. The seller shall and will make every reasonable effort to disclose any known defects associated with this vehicle at the buyer's request prior to the close of sale. Seller assumes no responsibility for any repairs regardless of any oral statements about the vehicle.
Deposit. We require a non-refundable deposit within 24 hours of the end of the auction and full payment within a week (3 days) of the auctions end.
We try our best to clearly describe the condition of the vehicle, but please note that we are often selling vintage cars that don't have a complete history on.
Payment Options We accept the following payment methods:
- Cashier's Check/money order (will have to clear prior to vehicle pickup.
- Cash (in person)
Vehicle Pickup & Shipping All shipping charges are buyer's responsibility.

All sales will include a Title and Bill of Sale unless otherwise stated. A Warranty Disclaimer will also be provided to be signed.

Yourbid, winning or not, signifies youagree to these terms and conditionsand you agree to make all payments within the allotted time. All purchased vehicles must be removed within 4 weeks from auctions end or storage fees of $10.00 per day will be applied (unless written arrangements foradditional time have been agreed to.). The deposit is not refundable. Please do not bid or buy unless you are serious.

California residents and residents of other States residents. They may be subject to tax, registration, and smog related fees. That will be their responsibility. We cannot know or begin to know the intricacies of the various bureaucracies that fund their very existence by adding taxes which they refer to as fees but indeed (Aka taxes). Fortunately, this car is Smog exempt in the People's Republic of California.
Bidders. Bidders for this vehicle have user IDs higher than 0. Anyone with a user ID of zero or a user ID that has been made after this vehicle is listed will have their bid cancelled without reservation. If you have less than 10 purchases on Ebay, we ask that you reply with a message and your phone number.
We have the right to end the auction early and to sell locally. Ebay is a useful way to promote and list vehicles but we also will sell the vehicle through other modalities. If the vehicle sells outside of Ebay, we will immediately cancel the auction because of this. Thank you for your understanding.
You may be curious about all of this. It takes several hours to learn of vehicles that will come up for estate auction or surplus. It takes hours to visit and choose the best vehicles and values for the money. Then, we assess the vehicle and describe and answer questions. It is time consuming to respond to questions, show the vehicle, and meet with people. Every vehicle listed is the fruition of likely two days of work. We cannot tolerate nonpaying winners and we do not make second chance offers. Please see our other auctions and thank you for looking!

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