The Lotus Eleven, brainchild of engineering virtuoso Colin Chapman, marked the scrappy firm's first step into serious volume production. This svelte racer, with its tubular space frame weighing a mere 70 pounds and envelope body hinged at both ends, revolutionized aerodynamics in its class. Born during Chapman's spare-time while working at British Aluminium, the Eleven evolved from earlier full-width Lotus models, and was likewise powered by the game-changing Coventry Climax engine. Aerodynamicist Frank Costin's influence resulted in a low-drag body capable of blistering speeds, with a stock Eleven wearing a bubble canopy clocking a 143 mph top speed at Monza. After a disqualification during the tragic 1955 24 Hours of Le Mans race, the Eleven's racing pedigree was cemented the following year in 1956, clinching seventh overall and a class win.

Available in Sports, Club, and Le Mans configurations, the Eleven catered to both street and track enthusiasts. By spring of 1957, 150 units had been produced, and Chapman unveiled the "Series 2," featuring his bespoke wishbone independent front suspension-a substantial improvement from the unpredictable swing-axle setup of its predecessor. By the end of production in 1958, 270 total units had been sold, dominating their class in competition and firmly establishing Lotus's fearsome reputation in sports car racing.

This particular 1957 Lotus Eleven Series 2, affectionately known as "Custard Climax" for its vibrant yellow livery, is an exciting and pedigreed example of the model. Originally supplied by Lotus to Frederick Stanley Thomas of Western Super Mare with a 997 cc Ford 105E engine, much of the car's early life remains unknown, save for glimpses provided by its original buff logbook up to 1964. By the early 1970s, the Lotus found itself in the hands of seasoned racer Chris Alford, who campaigned it in club and historic races across the U.K. In 1980, Neil Twyman acquired the car, which at the time sported lightweight fiberglass bodywork. In the pursuit of authenticity, Len Pritchard-one half of the original Williams and Pritchard duo who crafted bodies for Colin Chapman-fashioned a correct aluminium body using the original bucks.

After languishing as a project for nearly two decades, Twyman completed the car in the late 1990s, equipping it with a 1500 cc FWB engine and MGA close-ratio four-speed transmission-a combination that remains to this day. Also equipped during its no-expense-spared, ground-up rebuild, was a set of four lighter, stronger "Wobbly Web" wheels. A regular invitee to blue-chip events like the Goodwood Revival and Le Mans Classic for the past two decades, "Custard Climax" offers its next custodian a golden ticket to prestigious historic racing. Complete with FIA paperwork valid until 2033, the Lotus is highly eligible for Masters Gentleman Drivers, MRL 50's sports cars, AMOC, and VSCC events.

More than just a track weapon, this Lotus is also U.K.-registered and road-legal, opening up possibilities for tours, rallies, or a hair-raising and spirited Sunday drive. For the collector seeking a turnkey entry into the upper echelons of historic motorsport, this battle-tested Lotus Eleven checks all the boxes-history, performance, and that intangible Lotus magic that continues to captivate enthusiasts decades after its creation.