View source for Lotus Eleven

{{More citations needed|date=March 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2017}}
{{Infobox automobile
| image = Lotus Eleven and 15 Donington.jpg
| caption = A Lotus Eleven at Donington Park in 2007
| name = Lotus Eleven
| manufacturer = [[Lotus Cars]]
| production = 1956–1958
| designer = [[Frank Costin]]
| class = [[Sports car]]
| layout = [[Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout|Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive]]
| engine = Coventry-Climax FWA (1098 cc) [[Overhead camshaft#Single overhead camshaft|SOHC]] [[Inline-four engine|I4]]<br> Ford (1172 cc) I4
| transmission = BMC A30, 4-speed [[Manual transmission|manual]]
| wheelbase = {{convert|2159|mm|in||abbr=on}}
| length = {{convert|3403|mm|in||abbr=on}}
| width = {{convert|1500|mm|in||abbr=on}}
| height = {{convert|810|mm|in||abbr=on}}
| weight = from {{convert|412|kg|lb||abbr=on}}
| predecessor = [[Lotus Mark IX]]
}}
The '''Lotus Eleven''' is a [[Sports car racing|sports racing car]] built in various versions by [[Lotus Cars|Lotus]] from 1956 until 1958. The later versions built in 1958 are sometimes referred to as '''Lotus 13''', although this was not an official designation.{{Citation needed|date=August 2019}} In total, about 270 Elevens of all versions were built.

==Design and performance==
The Eleven was designed by [[Colin Chapman]] and fitted with a sleek body designed by aerodynamicist [[Frank Costin]]. Its top version, dubbed ''Le Mans'', was fitted with a 1100 cc (67ci) [[Coventry Climax]] FWA engine ;occasionally with a 1500 cc (92ci)<ref>Setright, L.J.K, "Lotus: The golden mean", in Northey, Tom, ed. World of Automobiles (London: Orbis, 1974), Volume 11, p.1224.</ref> [[Coventry Climax]] FWB engine), mounted in the front of a tubular [[space frame]]. The Eleven featured a [[De Dion tube]] rear axle and [[Lucas Industries#Girling|Girling]] [[disc brake]]s.

Fully loaded, the car weighed only about {{convert|1000|lb|kg|abbr=on}}. Versions for a 1100 cc (67ci)<ref name="Setright, p.1224">Setright, p.1224.</ref> Climax engine (''Club'') and a 1172 cc (72ci)<ref name="Setright, p.1224"/> [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] engine (''Sport'') were also produced; both featured a live rear axle and [[drum brake]]s. Several cars were fitted with alternative engines by their owners, these included [[Coventry Climax]] 1500cc (92ci) FWB and FPF and 1200 cc (73ci) FWE, Maserati 150S 1500cc (92ci), DKW 1000cc (61ci) SAAB 850cc (52ci) and 750cc (46ci) engines. There were two main body styles: one with a headrest and the other with no headrest, just two small fins.  Some cars were later fitted with a closed body with [[Gull-wing door|gullwing]] doors to meet [[Grand tourer|GT]] specifications.

Perhaps the car's most notable race result was 7th overall at the [[1956 24 Hours of Le Mans]], driven by [[Reg Bicknell]] and [[Peter Jopp]].
[[File:Lotus Cars and lorry for Le Mans 29.07.1956.tif|thumb|left|Lotus Elevens and lorry for 1956 Le Mans 24 hours]]
Despite the wide variety of engines installed, the car was primarily designed to compete in the 1100 cc class where it was one of the most successful cars during the mid- to late-1950s. In 1956, an Eleven, modified by Costin with a bubble canopy over the cockpit,<ref name="Setright, p.1224"/> was driven by [[Stirling Moss]] to a class world record of {{convert|143|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} for a lap at [[Autodromo Nazionale Monza|Monza]]. Several class victories at [[Le Mans]] and [[Sebring Raceway|Sebring]] followed, and the Eleven became Lotus' most successful race car design. A 750cc version won the Index of Performance at [[Le Mans]] in 1957.

[[File:Home01.jpg|thumb|left|Lotus Eleven at Donington Park]]

In 1957, the Eleven underwent a major design change, including a new front suspension and improvements to the drivetrain. Although officially called ''Eleven Series 2'', these late models are sometimes informally referred to as ''Lotus 13''s, since they were produced between the [[Lotus Twelve|12]] and [[Lotus Elite|14]] models and the 13 designation was not used by Lotus.

There have been several replicas and re-creations of the Lotus Eleven, including the Kokopelli 11, the Challenger GTS, the Spartak and the best known, the [[Westfield XI]].

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Lotus Eleven}}
*[http://lotuseleven.com Lotus Eleven information]
*[http://www.historiclotusregister.co.uk The Historic Lotus Register]
*[http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z9619/default.aspx Lotus 11 history/photos]
*[http://www.lotuseleven.org/ the Lotus Eleven Register]
*http://www.lotusracer.com/
*[http://www.supercars.net/Gallery?cmd=viewCarGallery&carID=3535&pgID=1 1956 Lotus 11 Gallery/photos]
*[http://auto.howstuffworks.com/1956-1958-lotus-eleven.htm howstuffworks on the Lotus 11]
*[http://www.racingsportscars.com/type/photo/Lotus/Eleven.html Period racing photos of the Lotus Eleven]
*[https://archive.today/20130201040123/http://www.putschracing.com/lotus_restoration.php recent Lotus Eleven restoration]

{{Lotus}}
{{Lotus Seven}}

[[Category:Lotus racing cars|Eleven]]
[[Category:Sports cars]]