GTP Cool Wall: 1956-1958 Lotus Eleven

[Wiegert]

1956-1958 Lotus Eleven nominated by @Stephan

Body Style: 2-door roadster
Engine: 1.1L Coventry-Climax FWA SOHC I4, 1.2L Ford I4, 1.5L Coventry-Climax DOHC I4
Power: 83 hp (Coventry-Climax FWA), 36 hp (Ford), 100 hp (Coventry Climax 1500 cc)
Torque: 63-92 ft-lbs
Weight: 412 kg
Transmission: BMC 4-speed manual, Ford-3 speed manual
Drivetrain: Front-engine, rear-wheel drive​

Spoiler: Additional Pictures

 

[edawg456]

I do like the body style of this car. So an easy sub zero.

 

[Michelin Man]

A classic lightweight Lotus race car for the road, and it looks brilliant, not much more needs to be said really.

Sub-Zero

 

[05XR8]

Comes with it's own North Pole.

 

[Sage Ages]

Looks like something a hypermiler would drive.

 

[Michelin Man]

Looks like something a hypermiler would drive.

What a sleek, 50's racer, not all designed with economy in mind, as opposed to your usual small frugal hatchback/city-car etc. that a hyper-miler would drive.

If I saw/knew someone hyper-miling a Lotus Eleven they'd get my appreciation for even trying .

 

[Sage Ages]

What a sleek, 50's racer, not all designed with economy in mind, as opposed to your usual small frugal hatchback/city-car etc. that a hyper-miler would drive.

If I saw/knew someone hyper-miling a Lotus Eleven they'd get my appreciation for even trying .

It reminds me if those DIY aero modifications that some people do to their cars. I'm honestly curious what kind of mileage it would get.

 

[Michelin Man]

It reminds me if those DIY aero modifications that some people do to their cars. I'm honestly curious what kind of mileage it would get.

Each to their own I guess . The Eleven is far too cool to be seen as a hyper-miler in my books, but anyway, despite being light, and somewhat slippery, can't imagine it'd be that economical.

Given it's gearing would be short, and any of the engines it came with being setup up for road racing and not really economy driving. Plus the 36bhp 1.2 Ford unit for example would have to be worked even harder than the 2 Cooper-Climax units, given it's low power. Mind you, would an interesting experience to even try .

 

[05XR8]

I dunno, 412kg. It's -300kg lighter than my 54hp Charade.

 

[Michelin Man]

I dunno, 412kg. It's -300kg lighter than my 54hp Charade.

Maybe, but you've got to remember that the Eleven is what, 40+ years older than the Charade, and either of the 3 engines it had over it's lifetime were the epitome of efficiency, economy and technology then, let alone now. Mind you given it's low weight and slippery nature, it might not be too bad. Certainly better than a bigger, gas-guzzling car of the period, like some yank tank.

But hey, that's not what the Eleven's about, is economy.

 

[ScottPuss20]

My wheelchair weighs more than half this car with me in it lol

 

[Stephan]

Defo Sub Zero for me.

This and the Jaguar D Type are my favorite British classic cars.

 

[Sage Ages]

But hey, that's not what the Eleven's about, is economy.

No, but it is an interesting thing to think about.

 

[mustafur]

Looks like something a hypermiler would drive.

They would probably want a roof then.

 

[VXR]

I can imagine these driven by cheery old chaps who could raconteur with many a borderline non-PC tale of chasing women and hi-jinx with a chap called Buster. Those guys are cool.

High cool.

 

[zed300]

With the 1500 Coventry Climax I4 @100hp ...you'd get pretty decent economy.

Subzero

 

[DQuaN]

A mashup of a little lotus, a spitfire and the batmobile...

SZ

 

[Dennisch]

I need this as a kitcar with modern running gear.

 

[Vegard]

I need this as a kitcar with modern running gear.

Here you go.

Edit - "modern running gear"

 

[Turbo]

I rate this car 11/10.

SZ.

 

[MoLiEG]

This is a nice little car.

Cool.

 

[MisterWaffles]

It looks better without the giant hump.

Cool

 

[Roger the Horse]

It's the sort of car that random people who know nothing about cars point at and say "cool". I doubt they'd say it's gorgeous, however. The other day a D-Type (or more likely a high quality D-Type replica) drove past where I happened to be and people all around were visibly (and audibly) in awe of it. This isn't quite on that level.