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| Lot number | 20 |
|---|---|
| Hammer value | N/S (est. £20,000 - £25,000) |
| Description | Lotus Elise |
| Registration | R601 EHJ |
| Year | 1998 |
| Mileage | 18449 (Indicated) |
| Colour | Yellow |
| Engine size | 1,796 cc |
| Chassis No. | 18K4FJ31636753 |
| Engine No. | SCCGA1112WHC32667 |
| Documents | V5C; MOT Jan 2019; 11 old MOTs; service book; file of past service and maintenance history |
Can you wind your mind back twenty-two years, recalling the first time you saw a Lotus Elise? Colin Chapman’s design policy was to “simplify and add lightness”. Through continual original thinking, seminal cars such as the Seven, Elite. Elan, and Europa, Lotus became a by-word for the extraction of maximum performance from the minimum amount of car.
Although Chapman died in 1982, the superb 1996 introduced Elise is arguably the last Lotus to embrace that original philosophy. With leech like handling from the very stiff bonded aluminium chassis and light glassfibre bodywork, extraordinary performance was wrought using only the relatively prosaic 1800cc Rover K Series engine.
Elises went through any number of special and higher performance editions, before being replaced with the inevitably larger and heavier series 2s which, while great in their own way, were already moving away from the original concept. There is much merit in sticking with the original of any good product.
Two owners; 18,500 miles; new MOT; extensive service history; immaculate; cherished. What else needs to be said? This is an absolute gem, finished in classic Lotus Yellow (officially Norfolk Mustard!) and complete with blue roof and blue leather trim (superb of course) and early upgrade alloy brake discs. This year it has received serious preventative maintenance work including a replacement cambelt, water pump and steering rack, while the front suspension has been checked and rebushed. Fitment of a new Bilstein coilover suspension upgrade all round has also taken place.
MOTd until January 2019 (with no advisories), it comes complete with a tailored indoor cover, original driver’s handbook and an impressive host of previous MOTs and past invoices. Early Elises are now most desirable and values have been appreciating. This particular car is the perfect example of how the series 1 Elise appeared to a startled motoring world. Go on, memories are one thing, ownership is quite another.
