Lot details
Registration No: UN-REG
Chassis No: L11-56
Mot Expiry: None

On offer here is a car we at H&H know extremely well, the Lotus that has been raced at major International Historic meetings by the H&H Managing Director and auctioneer Simon Hope, and we are happy to declare our interest in this car, which is of course what all auctioneers should do.
Having consulted a copy of original Lotus records and specifications for cars manufactured by the factory held by the Historic Lotus Register, the Lotus Eleven Registrar has confirmed in a 20 August 2003 dated letter, which is in the car's documents file, that chassis number L11-56 is indeed a Mark XI Club model. One of the first 50 of such two-seater sports with wheel-enclosing bodywork designed by aerodynamicist Frank Costin, it was manufactured at Colin Chapman's first factory at 7 Tottenham Lane, Hornsey, London, in 1956 and would have been registered for road use at that time.
The 1956 XI Clubman specification consisted of Coventry Climax 1.1-litre 4-cylinder engine running on SUs, A30 gearbox with straight-cut gears, rack and pinion steering, swing axle front suspension, live rear axle, wire wheels and full width screen. Particular features for long distance endurance racing owners included special lightweight bodywork incorporating Le Mans style headrest, special enlarged front drum brakes and twin fuel pump mountings. By the end of 1957, Lotus had set international speed records and won the Index of Performance at Le Mans, while the X1 totally dominated 1100cc sportscar racing.
Correspondence on file reveals that, having been advertised for sale in Autosport, the then blue XI was sold 10 May 1963 by a Mr Beveridge of Bearsden, Scotland, who retained the original Climax motor. Subsequent owners listed in the FIA papers were M. McMamara of Eire, M. Alexander and W. Woollet (1964-69), the car featuring prominently in Irish club racing right through the mid to late 1960s, including a race at Phoenix Park 21 July 1966. Other owners listed have been G. Percy, P. Dowty, P. Morley, Julian Sutton (the resent Chairman of the Historic Grand Prix Cars Association), Gerry Porter (1994) and then Julian Sutton again - from whom Simon bought it.
When last restored to a very high standard during 1993/4, the chassis was renewed with a Cyril Linstone fabricated frame to the same specification and dimensions, though the 1956-made original (deemed to have been unsafe for further racing) has been retained and is included with the car, and can be collected from H&H Classic Auctions offices in Warrington, Cheshire by arrangement after the sale. Currently fitted is the 1220cc Coventry Climax engine with wet sump and twin SU 1 1/2in carbs which was rebuilt by Neil Twyman of vintage Alfa and Lotus X1 Le Mans fame and this lovely engine is married to a beautiful four speed gearbox which was completely rebuilt by Rae Davis, the MG Midget man who was of course the nephew of S.C.H. Davis. Andrew Tart, the specialist engineer who looks after Neil Davies's Championship winning X1 as well, has restored and operated the car for Simon, confirms that the front suspension has been rebuilt with kingpins, bushes and ball joints all renewed, the Leda adjustable shock absorbers all round are new and Alfin aluminium drums are fitted at the front. All the Lockheed brake wheel cylinders and linings have been renewed, all four wheels are new and are shod with Dunlop race tyres. The chassic and bodywork has also been fully restored and the green paintwork is extremely good with newly trimmed seats and dashboard. The wiring loom has been renewed and the car does have a charging system and lighting equipment for road use, although it is not currently road registered.
Having been issued with the all-important FIA papers, it is ready to race. It has taken part in the HGPCA sports car series and of course it has been a regular entrant in the Gentleman Drivers series, going even as far away as Estoril, as well as having taken the hill by storm at the Ollon-Villars monumental hillclimb in Switzerland. It seems to be invited everywhere and liked wherever it goes as because, although it has been fully restored throughout and is in absolutely pristine condition, it is still very original and unmolested - a rare treat. One person who has had that treat is the legendary Willie Green who said after driving the car at Donington: "It's an absolute joy to drive, very stable and tremendously quick."
Please Note: We have received, just prior to this sale, a file of paperwork relating to this car which shows all the previous owners from 1963 and photocopy of pictures from when it was discovered in Ireland when owned by Paddings Dowling.