Lotus Elite 1976 Formula 1 legend Mario Andretti sold for next to nothing (20 photos)
The name of a celebrity in a car's history file can be significant. increase the value of a classic car. And if it's about car from a well-known sports car brand with a serious motorsport heritage, the numbers can be pretty crazy. 
1976 Lotus Elite auctioned off by H&H on Wednesday, November 30, was personally presented to the 1978 Formula 1 World Champion Mario Andretti by Colin Chapman. 
It is reported that the then head of the British firm, Colin Chapman, wanted to popularize the brand's road cars, therefore, for these purposes, he transferred Andretti mentioned Elite sports car with British numbers, but in left hand drive. 
Although this model had a design familiar to the brand with fiberglass body, but the shape of the latter was new. The sports car received an angular exterior design and, in fact, was hatchback. 
Lotus Elite was equipped with a 2.0-liter Type DOHC aluminum engine. When new, it produced 158 hp, which allowed the car to accelerate from 0-60 miles (96 km/h) in 7.6 seconds. The maximum speed reached 203 km / h. 
How much exactly Andretti owned the car is unknown. According to the documents the last owner purchased the car in 1984 and has since remained in the same hands. 
The seller notes that the sports car has recently passed a small maintenance and received a fresh battery, while its clutch and the brakes need to be replaced. 
The price of a 46-year-old sports car was estimated at 10-12 thousand British pounds, which lived up to expectations: 11,250 pounds were paid for it. 
