Lotus Eleven

The Lotus Eleven was a racing car model that was built by Lotus in different versions 1956-1958. Later versions, with the built in 1958, are partly referred to as Lotus 13, although this is not an official designation. A total of about 270 copies were made ​​.

The Lotus Eleven with its aerodynamic, designed by Frank Costin aluminum body was built from 1956 in the work of Hornsey. The body was based on the marketplace designed by Colin Chapman trellis frame. In 1957, the old -joint front, a typical feature of the first Lotus models, followed by a suspension with wishbones replaced, which significantly improved the stability and handling characteristics.

This model was offered in three versions:

• Model Le Mans as a single-seater with a 1,1 - or 1,5 - I- Coventry - Climax engine, de Dion rear axle, disc brakes and different gear ratios in the axle drive
• Model Club as a two-seater with a rigid rear axle, drum brakes and a Coventry Climax engine with smaller displacement
• Sport model as a two -seater with a rigid rear axle, drum brakes, and a 1172 cc Ford engine with side- side valves was more economical, smaller and cheaper than the other models.

The low air resistance of this model showed up in Monza, where an XI touring car, which had only a Plexiglas dome over the driver's seat, put back a round of 230 km / h and 221 km in one hour driving. Furthermore, the Eleven consumed by the good aerodynamics at 161 km / h on average 8.7 l/100 km.

1984-1988 were sold by the manufacturer with the Westfield Westfield XI a replica Kitkar. Since 2004, Westfield leads the popular model back in his program.