1961 Lotus Elite S2
£55,000 ONO
Having a Lotus Elite type 14 for sale here at Origins is rather special for us as Cameron, one of our directors, literally grew up with them as his late father raced them extensively in the 60’s and 70’s. In fact, one of our large images that adorns our walls is of Cameron as a baby “working” on a go kart with a Lotus Elite in the background in 1972.
So, it gives us great pleasure to offer this lovely Elite new to the market for the first time in over 20 years. During these past 20 years it has been owned and enjoyed by the late Duncan McGregor, the renowned classic car collector with impeccable taste, who’s stable included the ex-Raymond Mays low chassis Invicta, an ex-Brooklands Frazer Nash and a pre-war HRG to name but a few. Since Duncan’s passing in 2017 the Elite has stayed in the family, but it is felt that now is the right time to let someone else use and enjoy this beautiful Elite.
About WSJ 132
From Lotus records we are informed that WSJ 132, chassis No. EB1703 was sold on the 4th May 1961 to a Ray Cutler of Cutlers of Streetly Ltd. Ray Cutler was in the motor trade and was a Roots agent. He had a keen interest in motorsport so it’s quite possible he acquired the Elite for some club racing. The history file that accompanies the car rather nicely has a copy of the original sales invoice and warranty card.
Not much is known about WSJ 132 until the 1990’s when a David Bridges acquired it needing some restoration and rebuilding. We recently were able to contact his widow who very kindly gave us her time and explained about David’s passion for cars. He was a successful businessman and keen car collector. From high value makes such as Ferrari and Aston Martin to more modest but equally stylish Lotus’s. The history file has many invoices from David’s ownership including an engine rebuild. In 2002 David decided to sell and that’s when Duncan McGregor purchased it. It is clear from Duncan’s notes and invoices, which are in the history file, that he felt the Elite needed improving on further and using respected specialists such as Mike Brotherwood and Fibreglass services he set about doing so. The engine and gearbox was rebuilt with close ratio gears by Mike Brotherwood and the cars suspension and brakes were properly set up by Fibreglass services. More recently WSJ 132 has benefitted from a preventative maintenance engine strip, inspection and rebuild. New front adjustable dampers and springs. A new fully flowed exhaust manifold with two new stainless steel rear silencers. Four new wire wheels fitted with Michelin XAS FF tyres. And the suspension has also recently been re-bushed.
WSJ 132 Today
We feel its worth pointing out that if you are looking for a concourse, show winning example then this Elite may not be the one for you. It presents overall well but it’s not cosmetically perfect. What we have here, with all the afore mentioned investment, is a mechanically and handling wise properly sorted example. It drives and handles extremely well. Its great fun to drive.” A racing car for the road” as they used to say in the motoring press back in the day and they were right. Not surprising when you consider the Elite has the same wheelbase, track and suspension as the Lotus 12 which was Lotus’s successful F2 single seater race car at the time.
The pictures you see are current and give a good overview of the cars condition today. As we say, it’s not perfect from a paint finish point of view. There is the odd crack, chip to be found and a bit of paint flaking in one or two of the wheel arches. But we have reflected this in the asking price. In fact, relatively recently we were involved in a project Elite with interesting history that was in bits and needed restoration that sold for more than this asking price.
So, if you have been keeping an eye out for a nice Elite, one that has had plenty of investment in all the right places, why not come and visit us and test drive this lovely example, you will not be disappointed.
£SOLD
So, it gives us great pleasure to offer this lovely Elite new to the market for the first time in over 20 years. During these past 20 years it has been owned and enjoyed by the late Duncan McGregor, the renowned classic car collector with impeccable taste, who’s stable included the ex-Raymond Mays low chassis Invicta, an ex-Brooklands Frazer Nash and a pre-war HRG to name but a few. Since Duncan’s passing in 2017 the Elite has stayed in the family, but it is felt that now is the right time to let someone else use and enjoy this beautiful Elite.
About WSJ 132
From Lotus records we are informed that WSJ 132, chassis No. EB1703 was sold on the 4th May 1961 to a Ray Cutler of Cutlers of Streetly Ltd. Ray Cutler was in the motor trade and was a Roots agent. He had a keen interest in motorsport so it’s quite possible he acquired the Elite for some club racing. The history file that accompanies the car rather nicely has a copy of the original sales invoice and warranty card.
Not much is known about WSJ 132 until the 1990’s when a David Bridges acquired it needing some restoration and rebuilding. We recently were able to contact his widow who very kindly gave us her time and explained about David’s passion for cars. He was a successful businessman and keen car collector. From high value makes such as Ferrari and Aston Martin to more modest but equally stylish Lotus’s. The history file has many invoices from David’s ownership including an engine rebuild. In 2002 David decided to sell and that’s when Duncan McGregor purchased it. It is clear from Duncan’s notes and invoices, which are in the history file, that he felt the Elite needed improving on further and using respected specialists such as Mike Brotherwood and Fibreglass services he set about doing so. The engine and gearbox was rebuilt with close ratio gears by Mike Brotherwood and the cars suspension and brakes were properly set up by Fibreglass services. More recently WSJ 132 has benefitted from a preventative maintenance engine strip, inspection and rebuild. New front adjustable dampers and springs. A new fully flowed exhaust manifold with two new stainless steel rear silencers. Four new wire wheels fitted with Michelin XAS FF tyres. And the suspension has also recently been re-bushed.
WSJ 132 Today
We feel its worth pointing out that if you are looking for a concourse, show winning example then this Elite may not be the one for you. It presents overall well but it’s not cosmetically perfect. What we have here, with all the afore mentioned investment, is a mechanically and handling wise properly sorted example. It drives and handles extremely well. Its great fun to drive.” A racing car for the road” as they used to say in the motoring press back in the day and they were right. Not surprising when you consider the Elite has the same wheelbase, track and suspension as the Lotus 12 which was Lotus’s successful F2 single seater race car at the time.
The pictures you see are current and give a good overview of the cars condition today. As we say, it’s not perfect from a paint finish point of view. There is the odd crack, chip to be found and a bit of paint flaking in one or two of the wheel arches. But we have reflected this in the asking price. In fact, relatively recently we were involved in a project Elite with interesting history that was in bits and needed restoration that sold for more than this asking price.
So, if you have been keeping an eye out for a nice Elite, one that has had plenty of investment in all the right places, why not come and visit us and test drive this lovely example, you will not be disappointed.
£SOLD