One owner from 2004, previous owner bought new in Northern Ireland
In current ownership for 19 years
Magazine featured
Excellent condition throughout
One of the last S1 M100 Elans to be produced
The Appeal
Lotus have a fascinating motorsport history and as a result can lay claim to being one of the few manufacturers who have consistently catered specifically for the keen driver. Despite the news that their new 1989 Elan was to be a FWD design powered by a Japanese engine, those fears were allayed by the glowing reviews of the first road tests. There was an unanimous wave of critical acclaim that the new M100 series Elan was one of the finest handling front-wheel-drive cars at the time. At the time, Lotus was supported by General Motors, whose useful capital and resources went towards the development, testing, and engineering.
However, timing as they say was everything, and despite the promise and potential of the Elan, the market was not receptive. Those who took the trouble to invest in the Elan realised how effective these cars are, with the SE Turbo padding the car's natural ability with a little extra drama thanks to its spritely acceleration. While its sporting credentials have never been in doubt, the Japanese engine's reliability, comfortable cockpit, excellent driving position and ability to accommodate most frames were clearly valued to put the customer first.
Every once in a while, a low mileage car with impressive provenance and a near-perfect presentation comes out of the woodwork, and this 1992 Elan SE Turbo certainly seems to meet that description. With just 7,833 miles since new, this magazine-featured car could lay the claim to being one of the best Elan’s to be presented for auction at the moment. Originally ordered by a Northern Irish customer, it was then shipped to the mainland with what can only be described as delivery miles in 2004. It has always been stored indoors but regularly maintained by its owner ever since then.
The car comes with everything you’d hope to find in a low-mileage pampered car, including its original sales confirmation letter from Lotus, owners wallet with booklets, two keys and an MOT to May 2024.
The History and Paperwork
Originally ordered for Lotus' main dealer Malcolm Templeton in Belfast in March 1992
Imported into the mainland by its original keeper in 2004
Retained by the current owner for 19 years
Sold with its original issue Northern Ireland number plate
Original sales confirmation letter from Lotus
Featured in a Lotus Elan buyers guide for Practical Classics magazine in 2012
Owners wallet with full contents including Lotus CD
V5c present
MOT May 2024 and historic MOTs back to 2004
Only used sparingly as a fair-weather leisure car
Two full sets of keys
Regularly serviced and maintained
Indoor and outdoor cover
Stored in a damp-free garage
Taken to local classic car shows
Selling due to lack of use
Currently on SORN
The Interior
Overall interior is in excellent condition, with very little signs of use
No rips or damage to the leather seat upholstery just minor marks on the driver-side bolster
Carpets and mats intact, with no signs of water ingress
The dashboard is in excellent condition
Its dials and controls are in very good order
The centre console is free of wear
The owner states all electronics, switches, buttons, and gauges work as they should
Functional electric windows and air-con
Clarion Radio/cassette player with a CD changer situated behind the driver's seat
The steering wheel and gear lever are in very clean condition
Headlining intact and free of marks and wear
Door cards and door well trim are intact with the lightest of marks noted on the driver-side
The boot is intact, with very little evidence of use and no dampness noted
The Exterior
Structurally in excellent shape with no signs of damage underneath the car
Galvanised chassis
Inner wings, floor pan, jacking points and boot floor intact
The fibreglass body is intact, with no significant gel-coat damage or crazing
The Calypso Red paint finish has a decent lustre, with an even colour match throughout
The body is free from significant road wear damage
Its panel fit is cohesive and flush with even shut line gaps
All doors open and close with ease
The bumpers are intact with no scuffs
The glass is all intact and commensurate with its age
Light lenses and covers are all in good condition
Trim, rubbers, and seals are in good shape
No rear number plate perspex cover denotes this as one of the last S1 M100 Elan’s to be assembled
Hood operation is seamless with no issues with raising or lowering
The hood is in excellent condition, with the rear screen free of blemishes or cloudiness
The hood well is clean and free of water
15” alloy wheels adorned with Toyo tyres - all in very good shape
The Mechanics
165 bhp Isuzu 1.6-litre twin-cam turbo engine
5-speed gearbox
Engine fires up with no hesitation, idling smoothly with no undulations
No warning lights were noted on the dashboard
Said to drive well with no outstanding issues
The gearbox engages gears with no issues, the clutch has a good biting point
No reports of oil pressure or engine temperature issues
No known mechanical issues were reported by the owner
Engine presentation is decent, copious amount of wax treatment noted
Intact ancillaries and hoses
Suspension and exhaust components have a light sheen of age
Brakes recommissioned in 2018
New Battery in 2018
Full set of fuel injectors in 2017
Summary
The appeal of the Lotus badge, the superb road-holding and its exclusivity go some way into making the Elan a classic the moment it left the showroom. Thanks to its extensive network of specialists, the Elan has also shown to be a comparatively inexpensive car to maintain; yet, its internal engineering was carefully done with mechanical durability and maintenance in mind.
A car that really needs to be driven, we wouldn’t begrudge you if you added a few thousand miles to the clock a year because temptations like this are too difficult to resist.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*
UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently not covered by a finance agreement.
A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
