1972 Lotus Elite M50 Prototype – Chassis 0001A

• 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 of the 907 programme.
• Used as a company development and test car by Colin and Hazel Chapman, Oliver Winterbottom and senior Lotus engineers, the car was driven extensively across the UK and Europe before being registered for road use in 1974. In the mid-1970s, it was refinished in the John Player Special black and gold scheme and believed to have been used by Lotus F1 team members before returning to its original green in later years.
• Accompanied by extensive factory documentation, including original letters from Lotus Cars Ltd. confirming its prototype status ('Pilot Build, Development Department use'), and a letter from Graham Arnold, ex-Director of Lotus, verifying that chassis 0001A was built early in 1972 and road-tested on company trade plates. Also included are photographs, press features, correspondence with the Lotus Archives and display material from major events such as the NEC Classic Motor Show and the Hethel 50th Anniversary celebrations, where its door cards were signed by Clive Chapman and Mike Kimberley.
• After almost forty years in the care of the same family, this historically significant prototype was recently featured by Classic Yorkshire in its 2024 article “Lotus Resurfaces”, highlighting its rediscovery and importance as the very first Elite ever constructed.
• Now offered as a running, rolling restoration with its original, solid chassis, this represents a rare opportunity to acquire a genuine piece of Lotus development history — the car that marked the beginning of the Elite story and the dawn of the Type 75 era.

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