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56 - 1956 – Lotus Eleven Series 1
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Estimate €150,000 - €180,000
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Description
1956 – Lotus Eleven Series 1 Chassis no. 166 French classic car registration document The Lotus Eleven combines the advantages of being beautiful, rare, boasting a strong racing pedigree and being faster than cars that are far more powerful… and far more expensive!    With 270 examples built between 1956 and 1958, the Lotus Eleven encapsulated all of Colin Chapman’s experience and expertise. Designed for endurance and sprint races in the small-engined category, this groundbreaking Lotus – the first to bear an ‘E’ in its name – quickly won over a clientele of discerning gentleman drivers. True to Chapman’s philosophy of prioritising lightness (‘Light is right’) and the aerodynamics of his machines, the Eleven features a superb chassis made from a fine lattice of steel tubes (round and square) weighing just 25 kg, whilst ensuring astonishing rigidity. The whole is clad in a slim aluminium body designed by Frank Costin, chief aerodynamicist at the aircraft manufacturer De Havilland. The car is available in three versions: the Club, with a rigid rear axle, a Ford side-valve engine and drum brakes; Sport, which differs from the Club version in its Coventry Climax engine; and Le Mans, characterised by its De Dion rear axle and inboard rear disc brakes. Depending on the competition categories in which it was entered, the Le Mans version was powered by Coventry Climax 4-cylinder engines of 750 cm³, 1,098 cm³ and 1,460 cm³. Other engines were also used during this period, such as the 1,216 cm³ (FWE).    This explosive combination would go on to write some of the finest chapters in the marque’s history, with 148 significant victories recorded in its very first full season. Highlights included a class victory and 7th place overall at the 1956 24 Hours of Le Mans, class victories at the 12 Hours of Sebring and the 1957 24 Hours of Le Mans, as well as numerous speed records, notably at Monza with Stirling Moss and Mac Fraser, averaging over 215 km/h over 50 miles or reaching a top speed of 230 km/h. Together with its little sister, the Seven, it epitomises the genius of Colin Chapman and was key to the British firm’s success.   The Lotus Eleven we are presenting is a 1956 Series 1, originally built as the 1100 version, and sold new in the USA to Gunnar Rubini, a Volkswagen dealer (Imported Motors garage in Toledo, Ohio) and part-time racing driver. After a few races in 1956, it was unfortunately involved in an accident in January 1957 during a race in Wisconsin (photos attached to the file). Its trail was traced 10 years later in England, having presumably been purchased in Belgium beforehand. It was not until 1979 that an enthusiast imported it into France, before Mr S., well known in Lotus circles, acquired it in 1993. Restored with great care, the car complies in every respect with its type-approval certificate, featuring a 1,216 cm³ Climax FWE engine, a De Dion rear axle and inboard disc brakes. The centrepiece of a collection comprising around ten Lotus cars, it has regularly featured at various historic events.    Brought back to working order by Atelier Rufils after two years out of action, this lovely Lotus Eleven comes with a well-documented history and numerous photographs, invoices and correspondence with prominent figures of the era. In its original condition since its restoration, it is of particular interest to collectors seeking an authentic Eleven to drive, or to a gentleman driver wishing to compete in the finest events on the historic racing calendar, such as the Tour Auto, Le Mans Classic, the Sixties Endurance or the highly exclusive Gentlemen Challenge by Peter Auto.
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About the sale Autoworld 2026 | Auction & Motion
Auction location
Auction time 10/10/2026 at 3:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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