Lot 234: 1956 Lotus XI Le Mans Series I Climax FWB

The immortal and sublimely beautiful Lotus Eleven was the 1100-1500cc sports-racing model which really established designer/manufacturer Colin Chapman as a serious contributor to international racing.
After some 150 XI �Series 1� cars had been manufactured, a �Series II� variant was introduced in 1957 of which by the end of production in 1958 some 270 examples had been produced. These cars were highly successful worldwide and the example we are offering here is described by its vendor as �currently the most competitive Series I XI on the Planet!�. Lap times of 1 minute 25 seconds at Donington, Silverstone in 1 minute 08 seconds, Sarthe (full circuit) in 5 minutes 21 seconds bear witness to that fact. The car has completed Le Mans Historic in 2002, 2004 and 2006, qualifying 6th, 2nd and 5th respectively, with a best finish in 2002 of third overall and winning outright the Index of Performance. This is the 1500cc BRDC Historic Sports Car Champion of 2003. The Gentleman Drivers Series has also proven fruitful with class wins and podium finishes including second overall at Pau in 2005.

We understand that this XI was manufactured in July 1956, being exported to New Zealand around 1970 (when it became known to the fledgling Historic Lotus Register). Returning to the UK in 1990-91, it was purchased by the current vendor in 1994, (via Chris Alford). Following numerous seasons of highly competitive racing a tired original chassis was replaced in 2006 (original chassis offered alongside car). Apart from being totally correct, the spec includes 1500cc FWB Climax (6 running hours) Jack Knight straight cut A series �dog box�, Girling Aluminium Calipers, magnesium diff cage. Endurance events are underwritten by a twin tank 14 gallon fuel capacity. All engineering aspects of the car have been entrusted to the known perfectionist Andrew Tart. The 100% Aluminium body work has very recently been perfected by CKL developments, in short the car is ready to race. The car is offered with sundry bill and invoices, FIA Certification papers, racing classifications from Le Mans and restoration records.