The 1958 running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans featured four Lotus 11 teams. This example is from one of those teams.
![](https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/prod.mm.com/uploads/2022/03/10/1646919085_4134_10706791_1_mmthumb.jpeg)
Specifically, this Lotus 11–chassis No. 515–is reported to have been a privateer entry piloted by Bill Frost and Bob Hicks.
![](https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/prod.mm.com/uploads/2022/03/10/1646919092_4134_10706791_10_mmthumb.jpeg)
Fitted with a 1098cc Coventry Climax FWA engine, the Lotus is eligible for various vintage racing events, including the Le Mans Classic and the Tour Auto.
![](https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/prod.mm.com/uploads/2022/03/10/1646919102_4134_10706791_15_mmthumb.jpeg)
Find this 1958 Lotus 11 available from Artcurial, with an expected selling price of 200,000-300,000 Euros (about $220,000-$331,000).
A gorgeous little car! I googled the '58 LeMans results on Racing Sports Cars: the winning Ferrari 250TR (Hill/Gendebien) covered 305 laps at an avg speed of ~ 106 mph.
There were, as stated, four Lotus Eleven-Climax cars entered, two from the factory and two privateers; three of the four failed to finish. This particular one (carrying #39) DNFd ("spun") after just 28 laps; a sister car DNF'd ("accident") after only 19 laps; and a third succumbed to "ignition" issues after 162 laps.
The fourth Lotus Eleven-Climax, one of the factory entries, was classified as the final finisher, in 20th place after 202 laps.
I first attended LeMans in '61. Somehow it doesn't seem that long ago.