1958 Lotus

This 1958 Lotus Eleven Series 2 Le Mans is said to have been first purchased and campaigned by Pete Lovely in USAC and SCCA events and was routinely raced by its subsequent owners in the Pacific Northwest. Robert Bentler is said to have acquired the car in the early 1960s and driven the car at the 1969 American Road Race Championship at Daytona and again at the 1970 Championship event at Road America. The car was acquired by Felix Brunot in 1973, and it was subsequently run in historic events including a claimed 25 appearances at the Monterey Historic Automobile Races. Acquired by the seller in 2000, the car actively campaigned in VSCCA and VRG events through 2021. The 1,460cc Coventry Climax inline-four was rebuilt by Arjay Racing Engines in 2012, and refurbishment work completed in 2019 involved straightening the chassis, repairing body panels, and media-blasting the exposed-metal body. It is also equipped with a close-ratio four-speed manual gearbox, a limited-slip differential, a roll hoop, front and rear coilover suspension, 15″ Wobbly-Web wheels, a wrap-around windscreen, a fire-suppression system, and four-wheel discs brakes with inboard-mounted rear rotors. This Lotus Eleven Series 2 Le Mans is now offered on a bill of sale in Connecticut with historical photos, racing and service documentation, a spare rebuilt gearbox, two spare wheels, a spare period wood-rimmed steering wheel, a toy model, and Lotus literature. Designed by Colin Chapman and aerodynamicist Frank Costin, the Eleven was constructed using 20-gauge aluminum over a tubular frame with an 85” wheelbase. An accident during a 2018 racing event resulted in damage to the nose and chassis front cross member, per the seller. Subsequent repairs included straightening the chassis, repairing and replacing body panels, repairing the front end, and media-blasting the exposed-metal bodywork. The car is also equipped with a roll hoop, a wrap-around windscreen, and red decals. Service records detailing the work are presented in the gallery below. Yellow-painted 15” Wobbly-Web wheels are wrapped in Dunlop L-series tires. Two spare Wobbly-Web wheels are included in the sale. The car is equipped with de Dion rear suspension and a double-wishbone front suspension as well as Carrera-style rear coilovers and Spax front coilovers. Stopping power is provided by four-wheel discs with inboard-mounted rear rotors. The cockpit features a single fixed seat with a red vinyl bottom as well as a Willans six-point harness, a carbon-fiber rearview mirror, and a fire suppression system. A microsuede-wrapped steering wheel fronts a black vinyl dashboard housing a central AutoMeter tachometer and Smiths gauges. A wood-rimmed steering wheel is included in the sale. The 1,460cc Coventry Climax FWB inline-four features dual Weber 40 DCOE carburetors and was rebuilt at Arjay Racing Engines of Pleasantville, New York, in 2012. Additional details include the following: Brass radiator and water tank with fabricated water feeds Brise alternator with factory-style housing Remote oil filter and cooler Lucas 45D distributor Electronic ignition Gear-reduction starter Power is sent to the rear wheels through a Volvo M40 close-ratio four-speed manual transmission and a limited-slip differential with crown wheel and pinion. A rebuilt driveshaft, half shafts, and stub axles were installed in 2019 in addition to an Annular Tilton OT-II clutch, alloy output shafts, and replacement bearings and seals. Photos showing the car being campaigned in various events throughout its history are shown in the gallery. Service records dating back to the 1970s, copies of hand-written owner logs, and Lotus-related literature will accompany the car. The seller notes that the chassis plate shown above was removed from the car under current ownership and is included in the sale.