***Images supplied by vendor***
***Private plate not included - now reissued on the original plate P469 JNN*

HIGHLIGHTS

Original Series One Elise
Full known history
Lots of service records
Last owner 10 years
Water pump and cambelt replaced

THE APPEAL

The Lotus Elise is the car that saved Lotus during the 1990s. Having lost a stack load of money with the Elan M100 and re-found its independence from General Motors, the Norfolk-based sports car maker had just one chance at getting it right.

The Elise was it – and it was perfect. Powered by the lightweight and free-revving Rover K-Series engine, bonded aluminium chassis, fibreglass panels and central weight distribution made it one of the most entertaining cars in the world to drive.

It still is. And in addition, early Elises are rapidly becoming more and more collectable as the rough ones disappear and collectors remember the car’s significance.

Here’s a rare chance for you to own one from the first year of Elise production, and it’s an absolute gem.

THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK

Manufactured early 1997 and first supplied to Channel Islands
Imported in 1998
Genuine 67,500 miles
Full service record
All MOTs back to 2001
PLEASE NOTE: THE PRIVATE PLATE WILL NOT COME WITH THE VEHICLE (L17DHR)

This is a really early Elise manufactured in the first quarter of 1997. It was originally sold in Jersey on 25/06/1997 under the reg J35167 and imported to the UK by Peter Smith Sports Cars (Hatton, Derby) in 1998 at 1,357 miles.

It gained its UK registration of P469 JNN on 12/05/1998 and was sold to its second owner. In June 1999 it was sold to King’s Lotus of Warwick at 2,185 miles and subsequently sold to its third owner on 10/07/1999.

In 2001 it was acquired by Stratton Motor Company, Norfolk and sold to its fourth owner at a mileage prior to 12,121 miles.

In 2002/2003 it moved to its fifth owner in Sutton Ash at around 20,000 miles and in 2007 it was sold to Lotus specialists Paul Matty Sportscars who sold to its sixth owner on 22/07/2007 at around 40,000 miles.

On 19/07/2008 it was again sold by Paul Matty Sportscars at 46,725 miles to its seventh owner. On 15/10/2012 it was purchased privately by the vendor at 56,771 miles and has remained in his care ever since, remaining garaged and SORNed over the winter.

The vendor has documentary evidence of dealer or specialist servicing at the following mileages: 5,995; 12,121; 15,394; 22,772; 32,809; 44,500 and 46,725.

Since then the vendor has serviced it himself with a major service at 53,000 miles (02/2013), regular oil changes at 60,000 and 62,000 and a cambelt and water pump at 62,406 miles (24/08/2018).

All MOT certificates are present dating back to September 2001.

THE INTERIOR

Tan “Magnohide” interior
All complete and everything works

Inside, the Elise’s cabin is well-presented with optional magnolia-coloured “Magnohide” leather trim.

There’s some deterioration to the paint surround on the instrument binnacle and also some wear to the driver’s side seat bolster where it has been rubbed by the seatbelt, plus some minor scuff marks to the door sills.

THE EXTERIOR

British Racing Green
Very smart overall condition
Soft and hard tops provided
Correct alloy wheels

The Elise is in great condition overall with excellent paintwork and no signs of any body or chassis damage. It retains a deep shine and is very tidy, having seen localised paintwork when required in the past.

There are a few stone chips and scratches on the front end and also a small scratch on the rear clam panel, but overall it’s in great condition and looks lovely.

THE MECHANICS

1.8-litre K-Series engine
New cambelt and water pump recently
New suspension components
Inlet manifold gasket replaced

The vendor has uprated the car with a full suspension bolt refresh, front and rear clam removal and replacement with stainless steel bolts, full ball joint replacement and new bushes.

A uniball toe-link kit with alloy uprights, hurricane induction system, quick shifter gear linkage and a metal throttle body complete the upgrades.

The vendor is also including a set of Gaz monotube adjustable shock absorbers, which he originally fitted but - unhappy with the ride - reverted back to the original Konis. The car retains the original MMC brake discs as fitted as standard to early Elises.

In the last few years, it has had a new idle air control valve (stepper motor), ambient air temperature sensor, throttle potentiometer, lambda sensor and coolant temperature sensor, along with the intake manifold gasket to cure poor idling characteristics and the engine now idles perfectly at 850 rpm.

The vendor reports that it is great to drive with no known problems.

SUMMARY

This is a brilliant and well cared for example of an early Elise, in wonderful order throughout and with a comprehensive well-documented history.

Finding one this early and this genuine is a rare thing – it’s a proper collectors’ car that’s guaranteed to be a sensible long-term investment as well as a truly enjoyable sports car to own right now.

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