1965 DBF 808C Lotus Elite in Diss auction to provide a perfect chance at a restoration project

A classic car will go up for auction in Diss at the end of this month, offering its lucky buyer a chance to restore the vehicle to its former glory.

The 1965 DBF 808C Lotus Elite carries a guide price of between £10,000 and £20,000 and is stripped down, ready for restoration.

The car comes with its Coventry Climax engine, wire spoke wheels, boxes of spares and paperwork, including the original vehicle registration document, and will be sold by TW Gaze. Only 1,030 of this model were built, with this lot due to go up for auction on Tuesday, October 31.

Andre Ling, auctioneer and automobilia specialist at Diss Auction Rooms, said: “Designed by Peter Kirwan-Taylor and Frank Costin, the Coventry Climax, with the Elite’s fibreglass monocoque, propelled the Lotus from 0mph to 62mph in 11 seconds, with top speeds in excess of 100mph. I can just imagine it being tested to full capacity on the track.”