This 1952 Lotus MK VI tribute was handbuilt in Surrey, England by ex-Caterham engineer Tony Weale in the late 1990’s. Constructed using both Lotus and Ford parts, Weale hand built the body and tube frame to Lotus 6 specs and originally fitted a period English Ford side-valve four cylinder and 3-speed transmission. Power has since been swapped to a Suzuki three cylinder. Overall this is a faithful representation of the early Lotus sports car – the originals were themselves kit cars that used a mix of Lotus, Ford, and custom components. This car still wears it original registration badge from its roots in Surrey, and has seen track day use at Silverstone, Brooklands and the NSRA Street Rod Nationals here in the US. The car is ready to drive and the seller says it offers exciting handling, surprisingly brisk performance and excellent reliability.

The car was used regularly throughout the UK and was featured in the UK Telegraph in 2000. In the early 2000s it was imported to California where it was purchased by Canadian racing driver Julius Bradshaw who owned the car for 10 years before passing it on to the current owner. Similar to the original MKVI, this car is bodied in hand-formed aluminum which has recently been polished. The car is titled and registered as a 1947 Ford.

The added roll bar provides a measure of safety in the open cockpit, and stamped steel wheels were sourced from the Ford Prefect which supplied this car’s original engine. The aluminum eggcrate-style radiator grille was recently replaced and note the original Surrey county plates. Conceived by Colin Chapman, approximately 110 examples were sold in kit form in the early 1950s and were designed to accommodate a variety of engines including Ford, MG and even Coventry Climax units.

The interior seats two and features clear Smiths gauges, bare aluminum center tunnel and three-spoke Lotus steering wheel. Seats have been reupholstered with new four point harnesses. Note the numerous event participant stickers.

When first imported to California in the early 2000’s, the car was switched from Ford side valve four power to the 1.0 liter Suzuki Swift three cylinder now fitted between the cycle fenders. More powerful, reliable and lighter, output should be around 55 HP thanks to the addition of a Dell’Orto carburetor – ample motivation for a car weighing around 1000 pounds. Power is still sent through the original Ford 3-speed gearbox, and recent work includes a cleaned fuel tank and carb as well as fitment of a new K&N air filter. Suspension is from a 1942 Ford. The seller says the car is a blast to drive and needs nothing, always attracting lots of attention at shows and events.