First raced in 1970 the Lotus Type 72 set the architecture for all modern day Formula 1 cars, pioneering the use of side mounted radiators and a front wedge nose cone which gave significant aerodynamic advantages.

The Type 72 is arguably the most successful & recognised racing car in the history of Formula 1, with twenty World Championship race wins, three Formula 1 Constructors Championships (1970, ’72 and 1973) and two Drivers World Championships (the first being won by Jochen Rindt, posthumously, in 1970, and the second by Emerson Fittipaldi in 1972). In 1972 the cars featured the famous and easily recognisable Black and Gold Livery.

The Elise Type 72 shares many of the key strengths that made the Type 72 so successful, such as a lightweight aluminium chassis, GRP body and of course the world beating Lotus ride and handling.

With such close links it was an obvious source of inspiration for the first of the Heritage Collection Series. The Elise Type 72 reflects the racing heritage of the Type 72 with the Black and Gold livery. The two gold heritage laurels, proudly displayed on either side of the metallic Starlight Black bodywork, mimic those placed on the rear wing of the Type 72 commemorating every race victory, while the new gold coloured wheels give the perfect finish to the exterior. The Black and Gold livery does not stop with the exterior, but carries over to the interior with effective use of golden Alcantara on the seat cushions, steering wheel centre and door panels. The heritage theme is continued with gold heritage laurels embroidered in the centre of each headrest and an exclusive Heritage Identification Plate, based on the design of the chassis plates of the Lotus Formula 1 cars, mounted on the dash board.