1958 Lotus Elite

The undoubted star of the 1957 Earl’s Court Motor Show, but Lotus kept buyers waiting until the summer of 1959 to enjoy this technical marvel of great beauty. Use of a chassis-less glassfibre monocoque and aluminium Coventry-Climax 1200cc 75bhp engine resulted in the incredibly light weight that made this car perform and handle so well; 1960 brought a Series II model with improved rear suspension and trim, plus the SE with its close-ratio ZF gearbox and optional breathing package for an extra 10bhp. Be aware, they are noisy inside, and quite a squeeze for six-footers.

Information from Octane Magazine.