Description Early short-door Series 1, among the first 50 of 270 made in total; Chapman extra tube 20-gauge chassis; only 600 miles on fully rebuilt Coventry Climax FWB 1,460cc engine; 20-gauge aluminium body tub; expertly restored to original specification Launched in 1956, the Lotus Eleven was the epitome of Chapman’s mantra: “Simplify, then add lightness”.

By applying aeronautical engineering principles to race car design, the resulting flyweight marvel proved a giant-slaying machine that redefined sports car performance.

Chapman collaborated with Frank Costin, an aerodynamicist from De Havilland Aircraft, to create the slippery, hand-formed, 20-gauge aluminium body which was fitted over a 20-gauge steel tube space frame.

Fitted with a light all-aluminium Coventry Climax engine, the body weighed 110lbs and the chassis a mere 70lbs which resulted in a total dry weight of just 854 lbs.

To put this in perspective, the Eleven was roughly 1,300lbs lighter than contemporary race cars ...