1971 Triumph Lotus Type 14 Elite 'Etoile'

It was built by a skilled mechanic/engineer who used to own an original Type 14 in the '60s.

Tony Bates, a well-known Lotus Elite Type 14 specialist, also had a hand in the build.

Not least by providing the Hurn body shell, which combined a faithful recreation of the original Lotus Elite body shell with laminate, resin and Gel-coat technology that was rather superior to the Lotus spec of a few decades earlier.

Only about 1000 Elites were built in the first place and fewer than 600 survive in the UK today. Those that have survived in good nick are commanding premium prices.

Ultimately, what you have here is a well-built (and exhaustively documented) replica of the rare Lotus Type 14 Elite based on the simple and easy to fix/maintain/replace mechanicals of a Triumph Spitfire.

It’s idiosyncratic, quirky and full of the personality of its creator.

All of which, we think, adds to its already significant charm.

The silver and black bodywork is intact, rust-free (it’s fibre-glass) and devoid of any notable dinks, dents, ripples folds or creases.

The paintwork is swirly with scratches in places, particularly on the roof where they’re more visible, and there’s more than enough crazing, scuffing, smudging, blotching and other minor imperfections to keep even the keenest buffer and polisher happy for a while.

Yes, it’s fairly rough and ready and some aspects of the build have a distinctly homespun feel to them (the plastic fold-in windows with their ventilation holes spring to mind), but it’s a one-off, a passion project, a flight of imagination.

Normal rules simply don’t apply here.

The panels, shut lines and door gaps are pretty straight and even. Probably more so than in an original Spitfire or Elite.

The chrome work is in fairly decent nick with just the odd spot of foxing here and there.

The wire wheels are similarly OK. The wheels have conventional nuts, so the little spinners are purely a cosmetic touch.

The car has a Triumph badge on the bonnet and an ‘Etoile’ badge on the boot.

That’ll get people scratching their heads and talking, if nothing else.

The bonnet lifts out entirely as a single panel.

There is a significant crack in the windscreen on the driver’s side.

The inside of the car is an homage to a simpler age. It has everything you need and nothing you don’t. This is a car that wants you to drive it, not just sit in it.

No, it’s not very luxurious but neither were either of the ‘donor’ cars.

The seats are fairly supportive and comfortable but have clearly seen better days and there are a few nicks and scrapes in evidence.

The carpets, door cards, roof lining and rubber trim are all somewhat rudimentary and, although the interior will never win any prizes at Pebble Beach, it is fundamentally sound.

As far as we can tell, most of the buttons, switches, toggles and levers do what they’re meant to do.

The Moto-Lita steering wheel (with its Triumph badge) looks very handsome and the instruments, handbrake and gear lever are all in reasonable nick.

The engine bay is fairly clean and tidy. The 1296cc Spitfire engine appears to be entirely present and correct and the car starts, goes and stops as it should.

The undersides of the car are generally in very good condition, with nothing other than the entirely standard superficial bloom of rust dust here and there.

There is certainly no rot that we can see and the overall impression is of a car that’s been built to a high standard and has a good deal of mechanical integrity.

The car has clocked up fewer than 1,500 miles in the last decade. It has an MoT certificate - with no advisories - valid until 22.4.22.

This car has more history than Hampton Court Palace.

The huge history file includes (but is not limited to) original sketches/development drawings, correspondence between the builder and Tony Bates, an extremely well written 8-page story of the vehicle build serialized for a local Lotus owners’ group, and the ‘Hurn’ body shell brochure.

There are invoices, bills and receipts covering everything and anything. There are magazine clippings, news articles, letters.

By the time you’ve read everything in the box you’ll know more about this car than you do about your own family.

We think this is a good looking car that has the undoubted aesthetic appeal of a Lotus Elite married to the tried and trusted powertrain and mechanicals of a Triumph Spitfire.

Yes, it’s neither one thing nor the other, but this is no Frankencar.

It’s a properly considered, well-engineered thing that gives you head-turning Elite looks without the heart-stopping Elite price tag.

It’s different. It’s charming. It’s fun.

We like it.

A real Lotus Elite would most liekly set you back over £50k whereas you could grab this little beauty for potentially less then £15k. 

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us in Abingdon. To arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.