Description:

1956 Lotus Eleven Series I

£100,000 - £150,000 GBP.  $135,000 - $205,000 USD

€115,000 - €175,000 EUR.  CHF105,000 - CHF160,000

• One of only 166 S1 examples built of Colin Chapman’s iconic, lightweight sportscar
• Competed against Jim Clark during the two-time Formula 1 champion’s career debut
• Subsequently bought and campaigned by Lotus Works driver Tom Dickson, scoring six wins and nine podium finishes between 1956 and 1958
• Powered by a Coventry Climax FWA 1,098-cc four-cylinder engine rebuilt in 2014; parts supplied by specialist Mike Brotherwood
• Spares package includes cowling, interior trim, steering wheel, gearbox, and dampers

In June 1956, a young Scottish farmer named Jim Clark ventured to the Crimond Autodrome in Aberdeenshire to contest the first race of an incredible career that would land two Formula 1 Drivers’ World Championship titles. His DKW Sonderklasse was no match for the top class of sportscars with whom he was sharing the grid that day, including the Lotus Eleven (wearing the registration number “HGS 6”) driven by JL Fraiser to 3rd place.

Fraiser swiftly sold that car, chassis number MK11 159 offered here. It was later acquired by Tom Dickson to begin an affinity with the British marque that would take him to the 24 Hours of Le Mans as a Works driver. Dickson bought the Lotus as he sought to graduate from 500-cc Formula 3 categories. He returned to Crimond on 28 July and, across four races, claimed a win further to a trio of 2nd-place results. From four more races that year, all held at Oulton Park, he notched another victory and a 2nd-place finish.

The following year, Dickson entered the Eleven into 12 more races. Triumphs came at Silverstone, again at Oulton Park, Mallory Park, and Charterhall, while six further podiums arrived. He then sold chassis 159 to Andy Walker, who campaigned the Lotus through to the end of 1958 before the car was acquired by Alan Palmer.

Chassis MK11 159 was later purchased by the consigning owner in Japan. In their care, since the early 2010s, in excess of £60,500 (invoices available on file) has been spent on cosmetically and mechanically overhauling the Lotus. This includes repairing and repainting the bodywork, reupholstering the interior, recommissioning the brakes and suspension, plus rebuilding the twin Weber carburettors. Furthermore, the correct-type Coventry Climax FWA four-cylinder motor displacing 1,098 cc was rebuilt in 2014, with the parts supplied by Mike Brotherwood in Wiltshire. The Lotus and Coventry Climax drivetrain specialist also supplied the straight-cut, close-ratio gearbox, differential, and propshaft in 2017. The car went on to feature at the Concorso d’Eleganza Japan in 2025, winning both the Racing History and Yakushiji Awards.

Having returned to the United Kingdom ahead of the Woodcote Park Auction, this Lotus Eleven is offered with a generous spare parts package that includes bodywork panels, red interior trim, a gearbox, two dampers, and a steering wheel.

ADDENDUM

Please note this lot has entered the UK on a temporary import bond, which must be cancelled either by exporting the lot outside of the UK on an approved Bill of Lading with supporting customs documentation or by paying the applicable VAT and import duties to have the lot remain in the UK.

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