Many early Lotus cars were sold to the new owners in incomplete form, to be constructed by their purchasers. While most were assembled soon after purchase, some sat collecting dust as they fell out of favour. The vehicle on display was purchased new by a friend of Colin Chapman’s (the founder of Lotus) and he passed away shortly after. After his death, it was sold to a farmer in the United Kingdom and once again, he passed away before even beginning to build the car! His widowed wife then contacted the Lotus Registrar in the UK, who authenticated the vehicle as a very early Lotus Eleven. The car then was sold into United States ownership, the new owner continued the tradition of non-completion by leaving the vehicle unassembled. Through a strange twist of fate, the vehicle was sold once again – this time through an Alfa Romeo Owners Forum! It is believed that the vehicle landed on Australian shores in 2006. Finally, the construction of ‘Tufts Eleven’ began! Unfortunately, the new owner lost his sight in a car accident in 2014 and decided that he would not be able to finalise the construction of the now semi-complete example and so he sold it to a fellow Club Lotus Australia member and the new custodian set out to ensure the vehicle would finally see the road. In 2016, the car made its debut at various racing events, including Targa High Country and Historic Winton. Lotus Elevens could be purchased in a variety of ‘trim’ levels respective of their intended use. The vehicle on display is of ‘Club’ specification, sporting a solid-axle rear end and a Coventry Climax engine. The most competitive of these was the Le Mans, with fully independent suspension and an enhanced 120 bhp Coventry Climax engine.
