Lotus Eleven

The Lotus Eleven is a sports racing car that Lotus built in several versions from 1956 until 1958; about 270 were made in all. Colin Chapman designed it and the aerodynamicist Frank Costin shaped its slim body over a tubular space frame. The top Le Mans version used an 1100 cc Coventry Climax engine, with a De Dion tube rear axle and Girling disc brakes, while the Club and Sport versions used a live rear axle and drum brakes. Its best known result was seventh overall at the 1956 24 Hours of Le Mans. It was mostly aimed at the 1100 cc class and became the most successful race car Lotus had designed up to that time. Late cars are sometimes called Lotus 13s, a number Lotus never used officially.