1974 Lotus Elite

1974 Lotus Other Description

Lotus revived the Elite nameplate in 1974 with the introduction of the Type 75 Elite. The car was the first in a series of three models intended to take the company upmarket in the 1970s, with the other two being the front-engine Eclat and the mid-engine Esprit. The new Elite was a front-engined 2+2 hatchback designed in the typical Lotus fashion, with a fiberglass body mounted on a steel backbone chassis and independent suspension all-round. The rear suspension was noteworthy in that it utilized half shafts that acted as the upper suspension link as well as having inboard drum brakes (discs were introduced later). Motivation for this new car was Lotus's own 2-liter, 16-valve I-4 type 907 motor with 140 hp in U.S. trim. While the Elite was the first Lotus street car to use this motor, it had already seen use in the earlier Jensen-Healey convertible.

My father purchased this car in the 1980s as well as the only other Lotus Elite sold in Utah as a parts car. He kept the car in his collection until 2012 driving it occasionally. I've had the car since 2012 and replaced all of the brakes and shocks as well as repairing some electrical. It should have the interior redone. It needs a new speedometer cable and the radio is not working.

The car runs very well and is quite fun to drive. And though not as sexy as a Gremlin - this car gets more looks than anything else I drive