UK vs UK — 1957 vs 1956
| Seven Series 2 | Eleven Le Mans | |
|---|---|---|
| Horsepower | 95 hp | 83 hp |
| Torque | 90 lb-ft | 70 lb-ft |
| Engine Size | 1,498 cc | 1,098 cc |
| 0-60 mph | 7.0 sec | 9.5 sec |
| Top Speed | 102 mph | 125 mph |
| ¼ Mile | 15.0 sec | 17.0 sec |
| Weight | 1,014 lbs | 1,001 lbs |
| Wheelbase | 2,235 mm | 2,235 mm |
| Length | 3,340 mm | 3,505 mm |
| Units Produced | 1,350 | 270 |
| Original MSRP | $1,950 | $2,800 |
| Value (Excellent) | $80,000 | $400,000 |
| Collectibility | 8/10 | 9/10 |
| Rarity | 7/10 | 8/10 |
It's a closely fought contest. The 1957 Lotus Seven Series 2 brings more power, quicker acceleration, better value to the table, and the 1956 Lotus Eleven Le Mans answers with higher top speed, greater rarity, stronger collectibility. Both are excellent machines that reward their owners in different ways — there's no wrong answer here.
Lotus has long offered a diverse lineup, and comparing the 1957 Lotus Seven Series 2 with the 1956 Lotus Eleven Le Mans highlights the breadth of the marque's engineering philosophy. On paper, the two are remarkably close in power output, with the 1957 Lotus Seven Series 2 producing 95 hp and the 1956 Lotus Eleven Le Mans delivering 83 hp. Under the hood, the contrast is notable: the Lotus Seven uses a Inline-4 OHV displacing 1,498 cc, while the Lotus Eleven relies on a Inline-4 SOHC with 1,098 cc. In the sprint to 60 mph, the 1957 Lotus Seven Series 2 edges ahead at 7.0 seconds versus 9.5 seconds. Rarity plays a significant role here — with only 270 units built, the 1956 Lotus Eleven Le Mans is considerably scarcer than the Lotus Seven's 1,350 examples. On the collector market, the 1956 Lotus Eleven Le Mans commands a significant premium over the 1957 Lotus Seven Series 2, reflecting differences in prestige and rarity.