VIN: The Avengers / Emma Peel Lotus Elan S3 DHC chassis 45/6114
History of chassis 45/6114
Chassis 6114 was a Type 45 Elan S3 DHC supplied new to Associated British Productions in Teddington, London.
It was the second Elan destined for use in the popular TV show, The Avengers, after a Cirrus White S2 had appeared during series four (aired between September 1965 and March 1966).
Lotus had succeeded in getting an Elan positioned in The Avengers after Sales Director, Graham Arnold, strategically parked one outside Teddington Studios to get it noticed. The production team agreed it would make the perfect mode of transport for central protagonist John Steed’s sidekick, Emma Peel. Peel was portrayed by Diana Rigg who replaced Honor Blackman’s character, Cathy Gale.
Rigg had joined The Avengers for series four; with her avant-garde outfits, feisty personality and strong independent streak, she quickly became an icon of sixties Britain.
This was perfectly exemplified in the production team’s choice of a Lotus Elan for Emma Peel’s character. It was also a direct contrast to the cars used by suited and booted John Steed (Patrick Macnee) who relied upon a fleet of vintage Bentleys and Rolls-Royces.
As the fifth series of The Avengers was the first to be filmed in colour, it opened up a new range of possibilities for Emma Peel’s Lotus. Accordingly, the production team ordered a new Elan S3 DHC in Jaguar Opalescent Blue.
Upon completion, chassis 6114 was registered SJH 499D and fitted with a glovebox-mounted Westminster radio transceiver.
Emma Peel’s Lotus went on to appear in 19 episodes of The Avengers during season five (aired between January and November of 1967).
By this time, Diana Rigg had become a household name. However, unhappy with her treatment from the production company, she left to pursue other projects. Perhaps the most famous of these was her portrayal of Tracy Bond in the 1969 James Bond film, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, opposite George Lazenby.
Although not an enthusiastic driver (she had passed her test in order to play the role of Emma Peel), Associated British Productions gifted chassis 6114 to Diana Rigg once filming for series five of the The Avengers was completed.
Soon afterwards, Rigg in turn gave the car to a friend.
By 1983, chassis 6114 was owned by a collector in Lancashire and underwent its first restoration.
Years later, the Lotus ended up in the Cars of the Stars Museum in Keswick where it remained until the exhibition closed in 2011. Chassis 6114 (along with many of the vehicles from the Cars of the Stars Museum) was purchased by Michael Dezer for his Miami Auto Museum.
Within two years this famous Lotus, which had reputedly still only covered less than 2500 miles, returned to the UK where it was restored again.
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Studio Canal - https://www.studiocanal.com/
