1959 Lotus 11 'Replica' Roadster

Originally conceived as a road racer by Colin Chapman, the Lotus Eleven replaced the Mark IX/X in 1956 and was hugely successful in the 1100cc sports-car category in the late Fifties. The streamlined body was the work of aerodynamicist Mike Costin, with the wheels almost fully enclosed and both tail and front sections of the body were hinged to improve access to the mechanicals. The Eleven's frame was made up of small-section tubes, the split-axle front suspension derived from the Ford Popular while at the rear customers could make do with a simple beam axle set-up or specify the more expensive de Dion arrangement. Disc brakes were another option and the choice of engines similarly extensive - from the most basic 1172cc side-valve with three-speed gearbox to the more commonly used Coventry-Climax 1100cc motor giving 80 bhp. Since the Eleven was sold in kit form to keep prices down, no two were identical and some were even sold purely as road cars, with full-width screens and a rudimentary soft-top. On the racetrack, the Eleven developed a reputation as a giant killer, scoring some fantastic class wins during the 1956 and 1957 seasons. As values of original Lotus Elevens soared, a number of replica builders began making copies, with Westfield of England being perhaps the best known. As an alternative to the modern clubmans, the Lotus Eleven replica makes a convincing case as a serious driver's car, ideally suited for track days or just blasting around a favourite windy road.