Lotus Eleven

Lotus Eleven

A Lotus Eleven at Donington Park in 2007
Overview
Manufacturer Lotus cars
Production 1956–1958
Body and chassis
Class Sports car
Layout FR layout
Powertrain
Engine Coventry-Climax FWA (1098 cc) SOHC Inline 4 cylinder
Ford (1172 cc) Inline 4 cylinder
Transmission BMC A30, 4-speed
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,159 mm (85.0 in)
Length 3,403 mm (134.0 in)
Width 1,500 mm (59 in)
Height 810 mm (32 in)
Curb weight from 412 kg (908 lb)

The Lotus Eleven is a sports racing car built in various versions by Lotus from 1956 until 1958. The later versions built in 1958 are sometimes referred to as Lotus 13, although this was not an official designation. In total, about 270 Elevens of all versions were built.

Design and performance

The Eleven was designed by Colin Chapman and fitted with a sleek body designed by aerodynamicist Frank Costin in California for Laguna Seca. Its top version, dubbed Le Mans, was generally fitted with a 1100 cc (67ci) Coventry Climax FWA engine and occasionally with a 1500 cc (92ci)[1] Coventry Climax FWB engine mounted in the front of a tubular space frame and featured a De Dion rear axle and Girling disc brakes. Fully loaded, the car weighed only about 1,000 lb (450 kg). Versions for a 1100 cc (67ci)[2] Climax engine (Club) and a 1172 cc (72ci)[2] Ford engine (Sport) were also produced; both featured a live rear axle and drum brakes. Several cars were fitted with alternative engines by their owners, these included Coventry Climax 1500cc (92ci) FWB and FPF and 1200 cc (73ci) FWE, Maserati 150S 1500cc (92ci), DKW 1000cc (61ci) SAAB 850cc (52ci) and 750cc (46ci) engines. There were two main body styles: one with a headrest and the other with no headrest, just two small fins. Some cars were later fitted with a closed body with gullwing doors to meet GT specifications.

Perhaps the car's most notable race result was 7th overall at the 1956 24 Hours of Le Mans, driven by Reg Bicknell and Peter Jopp

Lotus Elevens and lorry for 1956 Le Mans 24 hours
Lotus Eleven at Donington Park

Despite the wide variety of engines installed, the car was primarily designed to compete in the 1100 cc class where it was one of the most successful cars during the mid- to late-1950s. In 1956, an Eleven, modified by Costin with a bubble canopy over the cockpit,[2] was driven by Stirling Moss to a class world record of 143 mph (230 km/h) for a lap at Monza. Several class victories at Le Mans and Sebring followed, and the Eleven became Lotus' most successful race car design. A 750cc version won the Index of Performance at Le Mans in 1957.

In 1957, the Eleven underwent a major design change, including a new front suspension and improvements to the drivetrain. Although officially called Eleven Series 2, these late models are sometimes informally referred to as Lotus 13s, since they were produced between the 12 and 14 models and the 13 designation was not used by Lotus.

There have been several replicas and re-creations of the Lotus Eleven, including the Kokopelli 11, the Challenger GTS, the Spartak and the best known, the Westfield XI.

References

  1. ↑ Setright, L.J.K, "Lotus: The golden mean", in Northey, Tom, ed. World of Automobiles (London: Orbis, 1974), Volume 11, p.1224.
  2. 1 2 3 Setright, p.1224.
Lotus production car timeline, 1950–present
Type 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s
0123456789 0123456789 0123456789 0123456789 0123456789 0123456789 0123456
Sports racer Mark VIII Mark IX Eleven 15 17 19 23 30 40 47 62
Mark VI Seven 340R 2-Eleven 3-Eleven
Roadster Elan Elan M100 Elise Elise
Coupé Elite Elan Exige Exige Exige
Eclat Excel Evora
Grand tourer Elan +2 Elite
Europa Esprit Europa S
Saloon Ford Cortina Lotus Ford Cortina Lotus Carlton/Omega
Race cars
Related cars
Concept cars
Key figures
Group Lotus
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