Missed Opportunity: 1974 Lotus Elite

(all photos from former seller, wirewheel.com)

While this car may no longer be available, and the "wedge" Elite may be polarizing, one still cannot deny that this was a milestone car for Lotus. 

The car in question here, recently sold by wirewheel.com, was far nicer than most other Elite projects seen on the market, had unusually good paint, fiberglass and trim for the model, which could be explained by long storage, the car has factory air conditioning and has had the ghost of Joe Lucas partly exorcised with a Crane Fireball electronic ignition and MSD coil, has had dual electric cooling fans and has only 36,000 original miles. 

Unfortunately the seat upholstery was worn and it needed work from having been stored, and I don't know the sale price, but one could do a lot worse as a starting point, and these cars are great with Ford small-block or Rover V8s.

Find the sold listing for this Lotus here.

Mutant: "Modified" 1972 Lotus Europa TC Project

The modifications that this neglected car has had would make Colin Chapman roll over in his grave, but with the price talked down a bit, and if the flares, air dams, added lights & vents and fiberglass damage could be corrected, this car could make an excellent restoration or race project. Engine had 5,000 miles on a rebuild when parked and runs with petrol (gasoline) down the carburetors, and the overused claim of "barn find" was used yet again. This Lotus looks like a lifelong California car, so the chances of a rusty frame are lower, but still worth looking into.

Find this car here, in Fresno, California, for $4,000. (or look here once ad disappears)