Lot number | 114 |
---|---|
Hammer value | £3,300 |
Description | Lotus Elan SE Turbo |
Registration | H339 NJM |
Year | 1993 |
Colour | Metallic Blue |
Engine size | 1,600 cc |
Chassis No. | SCC100ZT1MHD16092 |
Engine No. | 937779 |
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.”
First registered in July 1993, this SE Turbo has had five owners to date, the fourth of whom kept it from 1996 until it was acquired by the vendor in early 2011. The car is showing just 58,500 miles on the clock which we are assured is genuine but unfortunately at the time of cataloguing the service book could not be located so this cannot be warranted. We are also told that the car was fitted with a new cam belt in 2012, shortly after which it was put into storage where it has remained until today, but again there is no record of this.
Said to be in good order throughout and to run and drive well, it is due to have a fresh MOT in time for the sale and will be driven some 40 miles to the auction.