Description
EXTERIOR
As a 50th Anniversary special edition, this sports car was available in its distinctive Anniversary Green Metallic and Gold Leaf colour scheme, (Code B37). With one fastidious Lotus enthusiast owner, and 4, 500 road miles from new, this cars condition is stunning. A deep bright shine boasts first paint credentials with only a few very light markings visible upon very close scrutiny. The green epoxy resin used to bond the aluminium at factory is still bright and the V. I. N. stamped in the chassis to the offside rear wheel arch area is clearly visible. Even the fragile underside blue jacking stickers still being attached! The Gold leaf decals including the unique rear 50th Anniversary motif are as new. Wheel arch apertures and the flat underside to aid aerodynamics are extremely clean and the green material hood and colour matched hard top are in superb order. This is a highly collectable Lotus Elise.
INTERIOR
Engineering excellence is built into the interior with the aim to save weight and provide ultimate driver focused enjoyment. Exclusivity with the unique green/ brown leather sports seats add to the occasion and 50th Anniversary enhancements such as the Lotus/ Nardi steering wheel and green Elise carpet mats are super clean and practically unworn. The wide inner-sills are protected by a leather/ cloth kneel pads and unlike most, are largely unworn with minimal fraying to the driver’s side thanks to the owner’s careful entry and exit technique! Radio trim panels as supplied when new but also included is the original trim should you wish to take the radio out. An interior Colin Chapman would be proud of!
ENGINE & TRANSMISSION
Entirely standard, the four cylinder in-line 16-valve engine with aluminium engine block and cylinder head displaces 1796cc to produce 118hp at 5500rpm and 165Nm torque at 3000rpm. Top speed is quoted at 126mph and 0-62mph is dispatched in just 5. 9 seconds!
Lightweight construction, rear wheel drive and mid-mounted engine, this ticks the core race car credentials and the driving experience is a must for any petrolhead. The clean engine bay and front compartment display a fully intact heat insulation panel, factory identification sticker, PDI markings and labels. The 5-speed close ratio gearbox with short throw is precise and direct.
WHEELS, TYRES & BRAKES
The special edition 50th Anniversary has Gold painted twin 5-spoke alloy wheels which are pristine and have never been refurbished. Matching premium brand and Lotus Club UK recommended Yokohama Advan Neova front 185/ 55 R15 and rear 225/ 45 R16 tyres are fitted with masses of tread and a collector will be pleased to know that the factory fitted Pirelli Asimmetrico tyres have been retained with the car for originality purposes. The cast iron 282mm ventilated discs with unique Lotus/ AP Racing opposed piston front callipers provide powerful stopping power. This Lotus is just one of 50 Lotus Elises made to celebrate 50 years of Lotus Cars. The colour of the car was described as Lotus Racing Green with gold alloy wheels and is a throw back to the famous Lotus 25 colours driven by Jim Clark. It looks stunning.
This car which has done under 5000 miles at the time of writing, was bought by me in 1998 from Hayden Motors in Salisbury and I have been the sole owner for over the last 26 years, The car is number 38 in the sequence of 50 cars produced as part of this special edition and comes with its certificate of authentification.
It comes with a factory hard top, soft top and fitted radio although I do still have the original fascia piece so the radio can be removed. It is a very versatile vehicle.
The car comes with a comprehensive maintenance record from its purchase with thousands spent. It has a full service history, and I will get it serviced and MOT’d if necessary before sale. It had a new cam belt in July 2024.
The car is original with no performance modifications, has never been resprayed, and the paintwork is fantastic.
She has been great fun, and I am reluctant to sell her, but I am sure her new owners will be delighted with her, these are appreciating classics, and with only 3 special editions of the S1 they are becoming more collectible. There will be very few examples of this model that have such low mileage that come to market and I suspect no 50th Anniversary editions. It still has its production line sticker on the front windscreen!
I fell in love with it when I saw it in the showroom and it still turns heads today. It is a modern day classic and I still smile every time I look at it.
