Geoffkb1 Posted January 23 Report Share Posted January 23 I would appreciate any more information on neglected family-owned Elite first registered on April 5 1974 and used as Colin Chapman's demonstration car. It was featured on the front page of Car Magazine and in Motor Sport as well as featuring in Duckhams advertising promotions. The original chassis number is 74020022A with engine number G74015418. The car has been off the road since 1990. Would known history make this an interesting and viable restoration? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exeterjeep Posted January 23 Report Share Posted January 23 May be some of the restoration experts will be along in a while, whereabouts are you, there are those who would probably take a look at it for you. - particularly if nearby. Elites are great looking cars but one of this age is probably bound to have issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angus553 Posted January 23 Report Share Posted January 23 This car reg no. RNG807M was in its early days well known and was the front cover photo for the Observers book of automobiles circa 1975. Also appearing in other advertisements etc. Chassis 0022A is early and in theory atleast is the 22nd off the production line for the domestic market. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Painterdave Posted January 23 Report Share Posted January 23 1 hour ago, Geoffkb1 said: I would appreciate any more information on neglected family-owned Elite first registered on April 5 1974 and used as Colin Chapman's demonstration car. It was featured on the front page of Car Magazine and in Motor Sport as well as featuring in Duckhams advertising promotions. The original chassis number is 74020022A with engine number G74015418. The car has been off the road since 1990. Would known history make this an interesting and viable restoration? Shame it's not in the garage 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM jep Posted January 23 Gold FFM Report Share Posted January 23 One for the home-restorer or for a open-eyed Lotus fan with deep pockets. Even LotusBits, experts on these and fair value, would give a bill in excess of £50k to get this back to as new. Even with interesting history, I don't see the value finished anything over £20k. Sadly, the front engine Lotus wedges just are not appreciated, though that is a good thing in many ways 'cos they are very cheap given class and rarity. Justin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Tony D Posted January 23 Popular Post Report Share Posted January 23 That would be the earliest car I know of. The first 5 serial numbers were used on demo cars and fairly sure Lotus disposed of them. So this is likely the 17th sold example. As others have said. Very likely the chassis is shot. A keen home restorer could maybe get a nice car back on the road for £15K (£4k on chassis refurb, would be a shame to replace it IMO, min £6k on a half decent respray and £3-£4k on engine / gearbox and the rest on a DIY / semi professional retrimmed interior). Agreed that after the work, £20k would be top dollar, so it won't repay the effort, but well worth saving. Tony 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Trunnion 74 Posted January 23 Popular Post Report Share Posted January 23 Hi Geoff, A very early one indeed. I have a copy of the observers book of cars and it does indeed feature on the front cover. I am deep into an Elite restoration and I am nowhere near finished yet LOL you'll get an idea of what's involved from the link below. My car is chassis number 74020018A so i pip you for the earliest one 🙂 Going by Tony D's maths the 13th one sold. Interestingly your post may confirm a theory I have had for a while. I happen to know that car number 006A was a white car and my car was also white, originally, and that car number 0026A was also white. And now your car turns up and it is also white. So it looks like the first batch of cars that rolled off the production line where all white. I would be interested in knowing what the paint code is on your car. Below is an early photo taken during production, perhaps getting ready for shipping cars prior to the launch? As has been said, one worth saving. Roland 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoffkb1 Posted January 23 Author Report Share Posted January 23 Thanks. New chassis and engine fitted before coming off road with electrical wiring problems in 1993. Neglected and not run since. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exeterjeep Posted January 23 Report Share Posted January 23 7 minutes ago, Geoffkb1 said: Thanks. New chassis and engine fitted before coming off road with electrical wiring problems in 1993. Neglected and not run since. I did think that if it was on the road in 1990 in good order, it may have already had a new chassis, mine only lasted 1977 to 1986 ish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisJ Posted January 23 Report Share Posted January 23 @Geoffkb1 Has it been in the garage behind it and rolled out for the picture? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoffkb1 Posted January 23 Author Report Share Posted January 23 No... it's been where it is since 1993. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAR Posted January 23 Report Share Posted January 23 That would be a very brave restoration undertaken purely because someone loves the car. It'll never be worth the investment if financial gain is the objective. It's an early car but not so original if both chassis and engine have been swapped. I doubt it has more value due to it's history. With all that said, it would be great to see another early car restored to it's former glory. Quote It's getting there...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoffkb1 Posted January 24 Author Report Share Posted January 24 17 hours ago, TAR said: That would be a very brave restoration undertaken purely because someone loves the car. It'll never be worth the investment if financial gain is the objective. It's an early car but not so original if both chassis and engine have been swapped. I doubt it has more value due to it's history. With all that said, it would be great to see another early car restored to it's former glory. Good spot! Many thanks, Geoff 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoffkb1 Posted January 24 Author Report Share Posted January 24 (edited) Edited January 24 by Geoffkb1 Duplicate 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Blanchard Posted January 24 Report Share Posted January 24 Here's a press photo of it. It was a lovely looking car. Shame they didn't put it in that garage. 2 Quote Mark www.lotusespritturbo.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoffkb1 Posted January 24 Author Report Share Posted January 24 35 minutes ago, Mark Blanchard said: Here's a press photo of it. It was a lovely looking car. Shame they didn't put it in that garage. Belongs to elderly family member who didn't know provenance! Garage was too full! I've only just started doing some homework on it!! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Painterdave Posted January 24 Report Share Posted January 24 On 23/01/2022 at 13:12, Geoffkb1 said: I would appreciate any more information on neglected family-owned Elite first registered on April 5 1974 and used as Colin Chapman's demonstration car. It was featured on the front page of Car Magazine and in Motor Sport as well as featuring in Duckhams advertising promotions. The original chassis number is 74020022A with engine number G74015418. The car has been off the road since 1990. Would known history make this an interesting and viable restoration? I feel as if I need to pop over and give it a wash and put it in the garage 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exeterjeep Posted January 24 Report Share Posted January 24 34 minutes ago, Painterdave said: I feel as if I need to pop over and give it a wash and put it in the garage And see what it is like inside. It has been sitting there for many years - has it been under a cover? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony D Posted January 24 Report Share Posted January 24 Registered April 5th is best part of 6 weeks before the model was formally released onto the market. Would further support the use as a factory demo car. If it's been outside for 25 years without a cover, I can't possibly see it being dry inside. My car was impossible to keep dry even when being used daily. Fingers crossed it was covered. Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Painterdave Posted January 26 Report Share Posted January 26 Maybe someone changed the chassis for a galvanised 1 worth a look Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Stone Posted January 28 Report Share Posted January 28 The press pic was also used in an advert for High Cliff Motors of Grimsby (and currently being advertised on eBay) Quote But remember one thing: don't lose your head to a woman that'll spend your bread: Lotus Turbo Esprit (89-11); Lotus Esprit GT3 (12-14): Lotus Evora S (14-17); Lotus Esprit V8 SE "UK Last 15" (18-...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoffkb1 Posted January 28 Author Report Share Posted January 28 22 minutes ago, Jack Stone said: The press pic was also used in an advert for High Cliff Motors of Grimsby (and currently being advertised on eBay) Interesting advert... most factory records have long been lost, but remaining records show white is the original colour. The car was allocated to the press fleet on May 2, 1974, after being originally registered on April 5 that year 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Stone Posted January 28 Report Share Posted January 28 On 24/01/2022 at 13:58, Geoffkb1 said: Belongs to elderly family member who didn't know provenance! Garage was too full! I've only just started doing some homework on it!! Lotus Types 75 and 76 together (and both types driven by Ronnie Peterson 😊) Quote But remember one thing: don't lose your head to a woman that'll spend your bread: Lotus Turbo Esprit (89-11); Lotus Esprit GT3 (12-14): Lotus Evora S (14-17); Lotus Esprit V8 SE "UK Last 15" (18-...) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony D Posted January 29 Report Share Posted January 29 Not wishing to hijack the thread, but can I pose the question about sill colour. Without question, this car has body colour sills. I was under the impression early cars had satin black sills. It's very difficult to tell on most photos of darker colour cars. Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EXCEL V8 Posted January 29 Report Share Posted January 29 Well spotted Tony! I hadn't noticed that. I was under the same impression. I know early cars didn't have pinstripes but I also thought they had satin black sills. Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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