Gregor Wenner
Specialist Consultant
LOT 153
1956 Lotus Eleven Series 1 Sports-Racing Two-Seater Chassis no. (Historic Lotus Register) XIS1LM20037 Engine no. FWA400-347438
Sold for €115,000 inc. premium
Lot 153
1956 Lotus Eleven Series 1 Sports-Racing Two-Seater
1956 Lotus Eleven Series 1 Sports-Racing Two-Seater
Chassis no. (Historic Lotus Register) XIS1LM20037
Engine no. FWA400-347438
Chassis no. (Historic Lotus Register) XIS1LM20037
Engine no. FWA400-347438
• Highly desirable 'Le Mans' single-seater specification, formidable in its 1,100cc class
• Ex-Victor Thomas, founder of the Historic Lotus Register; ex-Jacques Naveau
• Known, recognized and acknowledged by the Lotus Eleven fraternity
• FIA/FFSA Historic Technical Passport valid until 2031
• Eligible for numerous prestigious international events
• Offered as a competition vehicle, without registration title
The enduring Lotus Eleven was the 1,100-1,500cc racing car that cemented the Lotus Engineering Company Ltd's reputation as a reliable manufacturer of competitive, customer-oriented racing cars under the direction of engineer Colin Chapman. It featured an exceptionally light and rigid tubular space-frame chassis, paired with an aerodynamically advanced body designed by Frank Costin. In its era, the Lotus Eleven was unrivalled within its competition class worldwide. To many enthusiasts, the Lotus Eleven, with its remarkable proportions, represents the pinnacle of small-displacement, front-engine racing cars.
As with many Lotus Eleven cars of the 1950s, assembled from parts kits by Lotus employees or passionate club racers, this particular example lacked an affixed chassis plate when acquired by Victor Thomas in 1978. Thomas, the founder of the Historic Lotus Register (now the Secretary for Lotus Eleven), purchased the car as a restoration project. From the original chassis and central and rear body sections, he restored the car, sourcing the correct Lotus components and tracing its ownership history back to the late 1950s. Previous owners and dealers include M McNamara, Chris Meek, G Baird, Speedsport Tipton (1961), Crossley (Morecombe), Jeremy Broad, Chris Smith, JP Benson (Dorset 1963), Doughty (Dublin), Peter Merrit (Newbury), Clifford, and TD Brown (Bournemouth). After 20 years in Thomas's ownership, the car was sold in 1998 to Jacques Naveau, who subsequently participated in numerous historic racing events with the car.
In more recent years, this Lotus Eleven has competed in a number of prominent classic events on both British and European circuits, including the Stirling Moss Trophy at Silverstone and the Gentleman Drivers race. It was meticulously maintained by Classic Performance Engineering in 2014, at the Rufils workshop from 2016 to 2022, and has been in the care of Pascal de Brito since 2023. Its most recent outing took place at the Nogaro circuit in 2024. The car's excellent competitive results are available, alongside its valid FIA Historic Technical Passport through 2031, and its recent service history. A video showing the car running at the time of cataloguing is available upon request.
Known and identified by the Historic Lotus Register under the number XIS1LM20037, and recognised by the Lotus Eleven community, this car presents a rare opportunity. It is not merely an entry ticket to race on the legendary circuits, but a fully prepared competitor, ready to race at the very start of the next season.
The car is accompanied by numerous spares, including two gearboxes, a full seat, an original steering wheel, period Lucas Le Mans-engraved headlight lenses, wheels, exhaust system, and a range of other parts. Removal of these items will be at the charge of the buyer in the South-West of France.
• Ex-Victor Thomas, founder of the Historic Lotus Register; ex-Jacques Naveau
• Known, recognized and acknowledged by the Lotus Eleven fraternity
• FIA/FFSA Historic Technical Passport valid until 2031
• Eligible for numerous prestigious international events
• Offered as a competition vehicle, without registration title
The enduring Lotus Eleven was the 1,100-1,500cc racing car that cemented the Lotus Engineering Company Ltd's reputation as a reliable manufacturer of competitive, customer-oriented racing cars under the direction of engineer Colin Chapman. It featured an exceptionally light and rigid tubular space-frame chassis, paired with an aerodynamically advanced body designed by Frank Costin. In its era, the Lotus Eleven was unrivalled within its competition class worldwide. To many enthusiasts, the Lotus Eleven, with its remarkable proportions, represents the pinnacle of small-displacement, front-engine racing cars.
As with many Lotus Eleven cars of the 1950s, assembled from parts kits by Lotus employees or passionate club racers, this particular example lacked an affixed chassis plate when acquired by Victor Thomas in 1978. Thomas, the founder of the Historic Lotus Register (now the Secretary for Lotus Eleven), purchased the car as a restoration project. From the original chassis and central and rear body sections, he restored the car, sourcing the correct Lotus components and tracing its ownership history back to the late 1950s. Previous owners and dealers include M McNamara, Chris Meek, G Baird, Speedsport Tipton (1961), Crossley (Morecombe), Jeremy Broad, Chris Smith, JP Benson (Dorset 1963), Doughty (Dublin), Peter Merrit (Newbury), Clifford, and TD Brown (Bournemouth). After 20 years in Thomas's ownership, the car was sold in 1998 to Jacques Naveau, who subsequently participated in numerous historic racing events with the car.
In more recent years, this Lotus Eleven has competed in a number of prominent classic events on both British and European circuits, including the Stirling Moss Trophy at Silverstone and the Gentleman Drivers race. It was meticulously maintained by Classic Performance Engineering in 2014, at the Rufils workshop from 2016 to 2022, and has been in the care of Pascal de Brito since 2023. Its most recent outing took place at the Nogaro circuit in 2024. The car's excellent competitive results are available, alongside its valid FIA Historic Technical Passport through 2031, and its recent service history. A video showing the car running at the time of cataloguing is available upon request.
Known and identified by the Historic Lotus Register under the number XIS1LM20037, and recognised by the Lotus Eleven community, this car presents a rare opportunity. It is not merely an entry ticket to race on the legendary circuits, but a fully prepared competitor, ready to race at the very start of the next season.
The car is accompanied by numerous spares, including two gearboxes, a full seat, an original steering wheel, period Lucas Le Mans-engraved headlight lenses, wheels, exhaust system, and a range of other parts. Removal of these items will be at the charge of the buyer in the South-West of France.
Footnotes
1956 Lotus Eleven Série 1 Sports-Racing Two-Seater
Chassis n° (Historic Lotus Register) XIS1LM20037
Engine n° FWA400-347438
· Désirable version monoplace 'Le Mans', redoutable dans sa catégorie 1100
· Ex Victor Thomas fondateur de l'Historic Lotus Register; ex Jacques Naveau
· Connue, identifiée et reconnue par la communauté Lotus Eleven
· Passeport technique historique FIA/FFSA valide jusqu'en 2031
· Eligible à de nombreuses compétitions internationales
· Présentée entant que véhicule de compétition, sans titre d'immatriculation
L'impérissable Lotus Eleven fut la voiture de course de catégorie 1 100-1 500 cm3 qui assura à la Lotus Engineering Company Ltd de l'ingénieur Colin Chapman une réputation de constructeur fiable de voitures de compétition client. Elle associait à un châssis treillis tubulaire, extrêmement léger et rigide, une carrosserie aérodynamique dessinée par Frank Costin. En leur temps, les Lotus Eleven régnèrent sans partage sur leur catégorie de compétition, dans le monde entier. Pour de nombreux passionnés, la Lotus Eleven aux proportions extraordinaires est la quintessence des voitures de course de petite cylindrée, à moteur avant.
Comme de nombreuses Lotus Eleven construites dans les années 1950 à partir de kits de pièces par des employés Lotus ou des membres de clubs de pilotes passionnés, cette voiture n'avait pas de plaque fixée à son châssis lorsque Victor Thomas fondateur de l'Historic Lotus Register - aujourd'hui secrétaire pour les Lotus Eleven - l'acquit en 1978 entant que projet de restauration. Du châssis accompagné de sections de carrosserie centrale et arrière d'origine, il redonna vie à cette Eleven, la complétant de pièces Lotus du bon type et retraça son historique de propriété remontant à la fin des années 1950, comprenant avant lui propriétaires et marchands : M Mc Namara, Chris Meek, G Baird, Speedsport Tipton 1961, Crossley (Morecombe), Jeremy Broad, Chris Smith, JP Benson (Dorset) 1963, Doughty (Dublin), Peter Merrit (Newbury), Clifford, TD Brown (Bournemouth). Après 20 ans de propriété, il revendit en 1998 son Eleven à Jacques Naveau qui prit le départ de nombreuses courses historiques à son volant.
Ces dernières années, elle a concouru à de nombreux évènements classiques, sur les circuits anglais et européens, tels que le Stirling Moss Trophy à Silverstone ou la Gentleman drivers race ... entretenue chez Classic Performance Engineering en 2014, à l'atelier Rufils de 2016 à 2022 et depuis 2023 chez Pascal de Brito. Sa dernière course en date a eu lieu sur le circuit de Nogaro en 2024. Ses excellents résultats sportifs figurent au dossier ainsi que son passeport technique historique valide jusqu'en 2031 et l'historique de son entretien. Une vidéo de la voiture moteur tournant au moment du cataloguing est par ailleurs disponible sur demande.
Connue, identifiée par l'Historic Lotus Register avec le numéro XIS1LM20037, et reconnue par la communauté Lotus Eleven, les compétiteurs avertis ne s'y tromperont pas : cette Eleven n'est pas seulement un ticket d'entrée pour caresser l'asphalte des circuits légendaires, il s'agit surtout d'une compétitrice prête à concourir dès l'ouverture de la saison très prochaine.
La voiture est accompagnée de nombreuses pièces, notamment deux boites de vitesses, banquette complète, volant d'origine, jeu d'optiques de phares Lucas d'époque gravée Le Mans, jantes, ligne d'échappement, et de nombreuses autres pièces, dont le retrait sera à organiser par l'acheteur dans le Sud-Ouest de la France.
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