1978 Lotus Elite 503 for sale, 109,500 miles, immaculate condition after being restored not once but twice since 2000 by marque specialists Lotusbits, with the latest work carried out between 2018 and 2020. Included in the price, is an extremely rare original luggage set, that was originally available as an optional extra when the car was launched.
Large history file including many invoices and receipts, MOT history from 1987, correspondence from previous owners (including period photos), Certificate of Provenance from Lotus Cars, detailed records of both of restorations (including 100‘s of photographs).
Original unmarked Lotus owner’s pack including driver’s handbook, service book, dealer list, two fold out wiring diagrams and a fold out servicing diagram.
Lotus Elite Service Manual and Parts List.
Comprehensive details of the extensive cosmetic and mechanical work carried out by Lotusbits during each of the car’s restorations are available upon request but the highlights include:
Front seats and transmission tunnel, steering wheel and handbrake and gearlever gaiters all recovered in new leather, new interior and boot carpets, new pleated headlining, refurbished Philips RN512 radio with ‘Aux’ MP3 input lead fitted, non air conditioning HVAC module fitted using stainless steel fittings (all A/C components removed), full re-spray in Lotus Canyon Red, Series 2 front spoiler, side skirts, rear bumper and tail lights fitted, ‘Speedline’ alloy wheels fitted, headlights converted to electric motors, aluminium window trim pieces replaced by new, if available, or if not, repaired, polished and re-anodised, galvanised chassis fitted, cam belt changed on 22/04/2021, three core radiator and Lotusbits cooling fans fitted, Lumenition optronic ignition system fitted, carburettors stripped, cleaned and rebuilt, PNM Engineering four pot calliper brake kit fitted
One of the final projects overseen by Lotus founder, Colin Chapman, the wedge shaped Elite looked like something out of Thunderbirds when it was launched in the mid 70’s and still looks futuristic almost 50 years later. This immaculate example is reluctantly offered for sale, due to a change of circumstances, at a fraction of the cost of a professional restoration of a ‘barn find’ project.
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