LOT 127

1962 Lotus Elite Coupé Registration no. NMX 72 Chassis no. EB2301912

Sold for £38,583.34 inc. premium

Previous Lot

Next Lot

Lot 127

1962 Lotus Elite Coupé

Goodwood Revival: Collectors' Motor Cars and Automobilia|7 September 2024, 13:00 BST|Chichester, Goodwood

1962 Lotus Elite Coupé
Registration no. NMX 72
Chassis no. EB2301912

• Restored 30 years ago
• Desirable ZF gearbox
• New suspension donuts, stainless steel exhaust, brakes, wheels and tyres
• Detailed history dating back to 1977

With the Elite, Colin Chapman demonstrated that his skills as a racing car designer and constructor could just as easily be applied to production road cars. The Elite was, nevertheless, conceived with competition in mind (Chapman was set on class wins at Le Mans and the Monte Carlo Rally) and incorporated technology developed in Lotus's single seaters. As innovative as Chapman's outright competition cars, the Elite featured a glassfibre monocoque body tub (the world's first), independent suspension all round and four-wheel disc brakes, the rears inboard. Its engine was the four-cylinder Coventry-Climax FWE, a single-overhead-cam unit of 1,216cc producing 75bhp. The work of Peter Kirwan-Taylor and aerodynamicist Frank Costin, the elegant body possessed an admirably low coefficient of drag (0.29) but made few concessions to comfort or noise suppression, not that that would have bothered the Elite's customers, for whom its 112mph top speed and superlative handling were of far greater importance.

First registered 1st August 1962, this Elite was restored 30 years ago and still presents very well indeed. The bodywork shows no signs of star cracking; the interior is all original; and the suspension donuts, stainless steel exhaust, brakes, wheels and tyres are new. Written by the previous owner, its history covers two sheets of A4 paper detailing everything done going back to 1977. The last owner has carried this forward. Reported to drive very well indeed, the car comes with original instruction manuals and a Coventry Climax engine manual.

Additional information

This auction is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future auctions, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this auction, please contact client services.
Buyers' Obligations
ALL BIDDERS MUST AGREE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BONHAMS' CONDITIONS OF SALE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, AND AGREE TO PAY THE BUYER'S PREMIUM AND ANY OTHER CHARGES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE TO BIDDERS. THIS AFFECTS THE BIDDERS LEGAL RIGHTS.
If you have any questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest client services team.
From 28 June 2025, the import into the EU of non-EU property of a certain age (and in some categories above a certain value) is subject to additional requirements. Under the relevant EU Regulation, it is the Buyer's sole responsibility to assess whether any Lot meets the criteria for import into the EU. The refusal of any required Import License or Importer Statement, or any delay in obtaining such License or Statement shall not give rise to the rescission or cancelation of any Sale, nor allow any delay in making full payment for the Lot.
Buyers' Premium and Charges
Like the vast majority of auctioneers Bonhams charge a Buyer's Premium on the Hammer Price of each Lot purchased and this is subject to VAT. Some lots may also be subject to VAT on the Hammer Price and these lots will be clearly marked with a symbol (†, Ω, *) printed beside the lot number.
For Automobilia the Buyer's Premium is 28% on the first £40,000 of the hammer price; 27% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £40,001 up to and including £800,000; 21% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £800,001 up to and including £4,500,000 and 14.5% of the hammer price of any amounts in excess of £4,500,001.
For Motor Cars and Vehicle Registration Numbers the Buyer's Premium will be 15% on the first £500,000 of the hammer price of each Lot, and 12% on the balance thereafter.
A 3rd party bidding platform fee of 4% + VAT of the Hammer Price for Buyers using the following bidding platforms will be added to the invoices of successful Buyers for auctions starting on or after 6th July 2024 – Invaluable; Live Auctioneers; The Saleroom; Lot-tissimo.
VAT at the standard rate is payable on the Buyers Premium by all Buyers, unless otherwise stated.
Payment Notices
For payment information please refer to the sale catalog.
Shipping Notices
For information and estimates on domestic and international shipping as well as export licences please contact Bonhams Shipping Department.
- Automobilia
- Cars