1963 Lotus Elite SE

Conceived by Colin Chapman, the Lotus Elite was the first production car built around a fiberglass monocoque. Light, aerodynamic, and powered by a 1,100 cc Coventry Climax engine, it proved formidable in competition, taking six consecutive Le Mans class wins. The Special Equipment (SE) specification added a close-ratio ZF gearbox and an uprated state of tune.

This 1963 Elite SE is believed to have reached the US through Ecurie Shirlee, Lotus’s western states distributor, and was owned by racer John Timanus until 1986. Frans Nelson then acquired it and commissioned a restoration in Southern California, refinishing it in black with a silver roof. Circa 1993, it passed to Bob Cole, marking the first of three periods of ownership, and by the late 1990s it had been acquired by California collector Ira Zalesin, who ran it on the California Mille. The Elite retains two-tone SE paint, brushed Raydyot mirrors, and Borrani knock-off wire wheels, with a correct interior believed to include OEM materials, Smiths gauges, and correct seats. The Coventry Climax now breathes through Weber 40 DCOE2 carburetors encouraging improved performance. A sporting British GT, it is offered with a knock-off hammer, tool roll, and spare. Equally suited to concours lawns, vintage touring events, and spirited backroad driving, this Elite SE represents a compelling opportunity to acquire one of Colin Chapman’s most beautiful and innovative road cars.