Lotus Elan SE Turbo Convertible

AMENDMENT: This car is now MOTd until Feb 2014.

Launched in 1989, the new generation Lotus Elan marked a radical departure for the Hethel-based company. The only Lotus ever to feature front-wheel drive, it also had an engine and gearbox sourced from Isuzu. 

While some purists turned their noses up at these developments, there was no denying that it added up to very effective package. The chassis was as fabulous as ever with all the handling precision that one would expect from a Lotus. Also in the Lotus tradition was the lightweight GRP bodyshell, bolted directly to the backbone chassis.

In turbocharged form the 1,588cc engine was rewardingly punchy, delivering 162bhp and rocketing the car to 60 in just 6.5 seconds on its way to a top speed of 137mph. Keeping everything under control were all round coil-sprung independent suspension, disc brakes and rack-and-pinion steering. On release the Elan was described by Autocar magazine as "the quickest point to point car available," while CAR magazine judged it “the best handling front-wheel drive car in the world.”

Dating from 1992, this particular Turbo SE has covered some 83,000 miles and comes with a full service history comprising 14 dealer stamps to date and was last serviced by the owner about 1,000 miles ago. Said to be in exceptionally good condition throughout, it has eye-catching metallic blue paintwork, a cream leather interior and rides on 17” Mille Miglia alloy wheels.

Equipment includes electric windows and mirrors, remote central locking, CD player and immobiliser. Clearly a much cherished example, it is MOTd until the end of May and comes with a large history file, the original owner’s handbooks and wallet plus two sets of keys.