24h Le Mans
Anyone looking for a 1950s Le Mans racing car in glorious, ready-to-race condition faces a tough challenge, so the sale of this sublime Lotus Eleven from the 1956 Le Mans 24 Hours is quite an opportunity.
Lotus came to Le Mans with three Lotus Elevens in 1956, all fielded in the 750-1100cc class. Chassis 211, the car now on sale, was driven by Cliff Allison and Keith Hall who unfortunately had to abandon in the early hours of Sunday morning after Allison hit a dog near the Hippodrome café on the Mulsanne Straight.
After Le Mans in 1956, the car was seen at Brands Hatch (victory), Imola and Goodwood. Since then, the Lotus Eleven has been back and forth across the Atlantic. It was first shipped to the United States when its short racing career came to an end. There it changed hands several times before returning to the UK for an initial restoration (Crosthwait & Gardner) in the 1990s. It then went back across the pond and was sold again by Bonhams in 2012. It has now re-emerged in absolutely splendid condition. The car is eligible for a number of classic car events such as Goodwood and no doubt Le Mans Classic.
See Premium Classic Cars for further details.
