Highlights
- One of only 38 RHD JPS limited editions with the original standard 118bhp engine
- Upgraded to Sport 135 with other desirable mods
- Well kept car with evocative colour scheme
- Regularly maintained with only 3,000 miles since last service
- MOT to end of March 2025
- Recent cambelt, clutch slave cylinder and catalyser
The Appeal
If you’re going to mine your motoring history, best make it good. Few can compare to the Lotus 79, one of the greatest and most successful Formula One cars of all time.
But for most, what they remember about the 79 is its incredible gold and black John Player Special (JPS) livery. This gorgeous Series 1 Elise JPS is a timely reminder of all that. It is a fitting marriage - the Elise is widely regarded as the greatest ‘real world’ sports car of the last 25 years.
Lotus planned to build 117 JPS editions but only 38 RHD models ever left the factory. Each car echoed the ‘79 with its distinctive colour scheme and neat decals.
They were standard Elise Series 1 118bhp models, but this one has been upgraded with the desirable Sport 135 package and now runs at approximately 140bhp. Other improvements include a Janspeed exhaust, Nitron dampers, braided hoses, alloy radiator and Elisesports uni-ball toe links. It is a well kept car that has been enjoyed but looked after by its handful of keepers (the first one from new to 2022).
The history file is similarly impressive, showing regular servicing irrespective of mileage. The car has covered only 3,000 miles since the gearbox and engine oil, filters, plugs and clutch fluids were changed. Earlier this year, the cambelt and tensioner, catalyser, alternator belt, clutch slave cylinder support and arch stone guards were renewed.
This is a pretty, rare, and well-maintained Elise with some desirable upgrades. A lengthy MOT until the end of March 2025 underscores the provenance.
The History and Paperwork
- First registered 1st January 2000
- Five registered keepers
- Current keeper since February 2024
- First keeper retained car until 2022
- Subsequently inherited by his daughter and then owned by acquaintances of the current keeper
- Well maintained car with regular servicing irrespective of mileage
- Recent maintenance highlights shown below
- Upgrades with Spot 135 140bhp package
- One of 38 RHD JPS cars reputed to have been built
- 2 keys
- Factory handbooks and service book
- Various invoices supporting the history notes
- Elise factory recall completed including fitting double skinned floors
- MOT to 31st March 2025 with minor advisories to note
- 103,207 miles on current MOT test and now showing 105,270 miles
- Head gasket and cylinder head renewed in January 2005 at 41,797 miles
Recent maintenance highlights:
January 2024 at 103,035 miles:
- Cam belt and tensioner
- Catalytic converter with gaskets and bolts
- Alternator belt
- Clutch slave cylinder support
- Arch stone guards
July 2022:
- Service at 102,450 miles
- Engine oil
- Oil filter
- Spark plugs
- Distributor cap and rotor arm
- HT leads
- Air filter
- Battery
- Gearbox oil
- Clutch fluid
November 2021:
- Service at 101,773 miles
March 2021:
- Service at 100,579 miles
- Air filter
- Front brake pads
- Rear brake discs and pads
- Brake hoses
- Brake master cylinder,
- Brake fluid
The Condition
- Original and well kept JPS limited edition retaining original factory exclusive features
- Paintwork renovated by previous keeper and presents very well
- Few signs of age or use across car but buyers should be realistic due to age and mileage
- Fibreglass bodywork in very good condition with no reported accident damage
- Upgraded to double-skinned floors by factory as part of general recall
- Well kept chassis with no reported issues and no MOT structural advisories
- Pretty black and gold colour scheme with gold decals and gold 6 spoke 111S wheels
- Well kept exterior fittings in good, undamaged order
- The nearside headlight tends to mist slightly after washing as shown but subsequently clears we are informed
- Alloy wheels in good order showing only light marks
- Rims fitted with quality 16in Yokohama rubber in good condition with plenty of tread
- Removable soft top in good order with small area of poor stitching to note but not unsightly
- Two-tone leather and alcantara black and gold seats in fair condition showing some wear
- Vendor advises that certain areas of the seats would benefit from retrimming
- These include alcantara seat infills and cloth on rear of seats
- Remainder of deliberately spartan is factory correct for JPS and in well kept order
The Mechanics
- 1,796cc Elise 4cyl fuel injected engine
- 5spd manual gearbox
- Sport 135 upgrades to now deliver 140bhp
- These include alloy plenum and a polished and ported cylinder head
- Head gasket and cylinder head replaced in 2005 at 41,000 miles
- Regularly serviced irrespective of mileage as outlined above
- 3,000 miles since last servicing work in July 2022
- Cambelt and other work in January 2024 detailed above
- Upgraded specification summarised below
- No reported running or driving issues
- Minor advisories to note on current MOT
Upgrades:
- Sport 135 140bhp package
- Braided hoses
- Nitron dampers
- Alloy radiator
- Elisesport uni-ball toe links
- Janspeed exhaust
The vendor tells us:
“The original owner had it until 2022, but then due to illness sold it to his daughter, who sold it to a friend of mine who did various work on it. He then sold it to a mutual friend who did more work, who then sold it to me.
“The car is fantastic to drive. It is the best sports car of the last 25 years as voted by Pistonheads. And this one is rare with a truly iconic colour scheme. It has only been owned by Lotus enthusiasts with lots of good work done in last few years to make it a very good car to drive and enjoy. I’m only selling because I've run out of room for my various toys.”
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