The Elite was one of the first production sports cars to utilize a fiberglass monocoque body and chassis. This example is said to have been originally finished in light blue and received a repaint in its current shade of Graphite Gray by Grand Prix SSR of Long Island, New York in 1982. Features include Raydyot side-view mirrors as well as chrome bumpers and trim. Paint crazing is noted by the seller.
The 15” polished wire wheels feature knock-off…
The Elite was one of the first production sports cars to utilize a fiberglass monocoque body and chassis. This example is said to have been originally finished in light blue and received a repaint in its current shade of Graphite Gray by Grand Prix SSR of Long Island, New York in 1982. Features include Raydyot side-view mirrors as well as chrome bumpers and trim. Paint crazing is noted by the seller.
The 15” polished wire wheels feature knock-off hubs with two-eared spinners and are wrapped in Pirelli Cinturato tires. The car rides on independent suspension, and stopping power is provided by hydraulically-actuated four-wheel discs with inboard-mounted rears. The seller reports that the U-joints, inner and outer rear hub bearings, and rear spline assemblies have been replaced, while the Koni rear inserts were rebuilt by Koni North America in 2005.
The cabin features seats trimmed in black leather along with a matching dashboard and door panels. The gray carpets were reportedly replaced in the early 1980s, and the seller notes color variations in the painted fiberglass surfaces of the rear cargo area. Tears and seam separation are evident on the driver’s seat bottom, and latch-and-link lap belts are fitted for both occupants.
A wood-rimmed three-spoke steering wheel with a Lotus horn button frames Smiths instrumentation that includes a 140-mph speedometer, an 8k-rpm tachometer, and auxiliary gauges for amperage, water temperature, oil pressure, and fuel level. The five-digit odometer shows just over 14k miles, approximately 1k of which have been added by the selling dealer. Total mileage is unknown.
The replacement 1,216cc Coventry Climax “Feather Weight Elite” inline-four was reportedly installed in 1982 by Grand Prix SSR and features twin Weber 40 DCOE carburetors and a five-bearing camshaft carrier. The engine is said to have been refreshed in 2005 with a valve job and replacement of the bearings, gaskets, seals, hoses, and pumps.
A replacement ZF four-speed manual synchromesh transmission was installed in 2005 per the seller, and replacement gaskets and differential output shaft bearings were also fitted at that time. Additional underbody photos are provided in the gallery, and a video of the car is presented below.