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  Lotus Eleven S2 Le Mans Climax      

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Country of origin:Great Britain
Produced from:1957 - 1958
Numbers built:120 (All S2 Elevens)
Internal name:Type 11
Author:Wouter Melissen
Last updated:Before December 1st, 2004
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Click here to download printer friendly versionThe 1956 season was Lotus' international breakthrough, with among others a class victory at Le Mans. Key part of this success was Lotus' latest sportscar, the 11. To strengthen their position for the 1957 season Lotus set out to revise the 11. The Series 2 was launched in the spring of 1957.

From the outside the S2 was very much the same as the 1956 Lotus 11, but especially suspension-wise it was modified. Derived from the newly launched Lotus 12 single seater, the 11 S2 featured double wishbone independent front suspension, replacing the swing-axles on the S1. Furthermore the chassis and drivetrain were strengthened. The 11 was available in the all out racing 'Le Mans' spec or the cheaper 'Sport' spec. Most of the S2 modifications were only found on the Le Mans spec chassis, which featured discs all around and a DeDion rear axle.

The blistering pace displayed in the 1956 season was carried on in 1957 with the S2. Again Lotus took top honours in their class at Le Mans.

By the summer of 1958 around 270 11s were built and it was the first Lotus to be built in this quantity. It is, by all means, a pinnacle car in Lotus' very successful (racing) history. Throughout the production run of the 11 Lotus changed from a small sportscar constructor to a Le Mans winner and a F1 competitor.

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  Article Image gallery (11) Specifications User Comments (1)