Weird Old England: 1974 Lotus Elite

After providing the template for sports car perfection with its '60s Elan, Lotus entered something of a wacky phase with its 1970s road cars. The second-generation Elite seemed to result from a particulary ill-conceived experiment in cross-breeding, to wit: what if we mated an Esprit (Giugiaro's stunning new mid-engine design) with a Europa (Lotus' own, earlier, somewhat clumsier attempt at same)? Except, you know, we'll put the engine in front and give it a back seat?

That's the sound of crickets.

Still, you won't see yourself coming the other way very often, and I'll bet it's a hoot to drive. And fiberglass – no rust, not even in New Hampshire! Live free or die!

Click on the pic to check out the auction.