Equipment
1216/75hp, painted centerlock wire wheels, Dunlop Racing tires, Plexiglas passenger's side and rear windows, driver's side window removed, fire system, roll cage, Momo steering wheel, AutoMeter gauges.
Condition
#3 Good
Runs and drives well. Flaws not noticeable to passersby. Most common condition.
Fully prepped for vintage racing, but you wouldn't exactly call it period correct with all this equipment. Represented as being raced originally in Britain then restored. Good paint with the usual chips and scratches from time on the track. Driver's door fits poorly and paint is rubbed through at the front of it. The passenger's window is hanging a bit loose. Lightly worn underneath. Looks ready to race and have a lot of fun with, but not much else.
Market commentary
If you're shopping for a race-prepped Lotus Elite, you can't really be picky. Barely 1,000 were built in the first place, the survival rate has been pretty low, and many of those that remain are collector quality examples that won't ever get driven hard. Provided the fiberglass monocoque underneath is sound, this was a pretty good deal in terms of exclusivity and fun factor. Mecum offered it at Elkhart Lake in 1999 where it was in better condition and reported bid to $43,000. There are much more expensive ways to go racing.