The unique left-hand drive, automatic transmission
1981 Lotus Elite 2.2 Automatic Coupé
Chassis no. SCC 083-912AHH10240
It has been rightly said that the original Lotus Type 75 Elite of 1974-80 had been "the right car at the right time". Its radical wedge-shaped styling by Oliver Winterbottom had been both striking and fashionable. The new model effectively revitalized Lotus's image and elevated the marque from producing the more spartan sports-originated Elan and Europa designs of the 1960s to assume the high ground of much more stylish and luxurious high-performance quality that was expected by the buying public of the 1970s into the 1980s.

The revised Type 83 Elite Series 2 announced in May 1980, employed a new Lotus 912 four-cylinder 16-valve engine uprated from 2-litres to a long-stroke 2174cc. The power unit's mid-range torque was greatly improved although its headline power output of 160bhp remained unaltered. Fuel efficiency was improved compared