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Not Sold (Est: £15,000 - £20,000)
1972 Lotus Elite M50 Prototype – Chassis 0001A
United Kingdom • 9 Nov 2025
Vehicle Details
AI Listing Summary
This 1972 Lotus Elite M50 Prototype, chassis 0001A, is the first-ever Elite prototype and a confirmed factory 'Pilot Build' development car used by Colin Chapman. After nearly 40 years in one family's ownership, this historically significant prototype is now offered as a running, rolling restoration, presenting a rare opportunity to acquire a genuine piece of Lotus development history.
Condition
6
The listing states that the car is being offered as a 'running, rolling restoration'. This suggests that while it runs, it requires restoration work, placing it in the 'Good' category with moderate wear and the need for some reconditioning.
/ 10
Transmission:
Manual
Chassis No:
7310D0001A
Odometer:
[Odometer Reading]
Reg Number:
OVF 191M
RHD/LHD:
RHD
The Lotus Elite M50 was conceived as the third generation of Lotus cars, designed to replace the Elan +2.
Chassis 0001A was the first prototype built by the factory in 1972, preceding the production series that began with chassis 0005A.
Confirmed by Lotus Cars Ltd and Club Lotus documentation, this was one of four pilot development cars used by the Development Department at Hethel Presented in a metallic green finish with tan interior trim, this 'Elite Coupé' prototype features unique early design details that differ from production cars, including early panel profiles and interior layout.
It also carries a John Player Special steering wheel boss — a nod to Lotus’s Formula 1 successes in the era Powered by the 2-litre all-alloy Lotus 907 twin-cam engine with dual carburettors, the same power unit later used in production Elites and Eclats, coupled to a 5-speed manual gearbox.
As detailed in Lotus correspondence, the car’s engine was a development unit used during the testing phase...
Points of note
£910
Lowest Price (Since 2020)
£5,881
Median Price (Since 2020)
£20,160
Highest Price (Since 2020)
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