Highlights
- Low documented mileage of 41,100 miles
- Only two registered keepers from new
- Garaged throughout its life
- Cambelt, water pump, tensioner, idler, belts and all filters replaced in early 2022
- All injectors replaced in 2025
- MOT valid to October 2026 with no advisories
The Appeal
In the late 80s Mazda and Lotus had the same idea: reboot the original two-seater 60s classic template, epitomised by the original Elan. The M100 Elan SE arrived in August 1989, just after the Mazda. Widely acclaimed as one of, if not the best-handling front-wheel-drive cars of its era, in Turbo form it had the power to capitalise on the chassis’ agility.
Thanks to a high cost when new and traditionalists’ sniffiness about front-wheel-drive cars, just 3,855 Series 1 examples were built. That makes this low-mileage, two-keeper Turbo extremely rare. It is a very tidy example that has always been garaged and properly maintained by its owners. Recent work includes over £3,000 spent in 2022 on servicing, cambelts, tensioners and a new water pump. The car has covered few miles since, and the condition is supported by a lengthy MOT.
Few two-seater classics can match the Elan SE’s sheer, well, elan. They remain surprisingly overlooked outside enthusiast circles. Here’s a chance to discover why those 'in the know' rate them so highly.
The vendor says:
“The vehicle is tight and drives well, holding the road and delivering a fun, sporty ride. The turbo offers overtaking power as required.”
History and Paperwork
- First registered in January 1991 in the United Kingdom
- Two registered keepers from new
- Current keeper since November 2021
- Little used in the 2000s and garaged throughout, we are told
- Always garaged under current ownership
- MOT valid to 28th October 2026 with no advisories
- Recent maintenance and servicing shown in photos and summarised below
- 2 keys with Lotus fobs
- Factory tool kit
- Factory handbooks
Service history (further details in photos):
- 03/00 - 34,419 miles - M E Taylor
- 01/97 - 26,127 miles - Chris Foulds Lotus
- 01/96 - 22,243 miles - Chris Foulds Lotus
- 07/94 - 16,711 miles - JCT600 Lotus
- 01/93 - 10,731 miles - JCT600 Lotus
- 02/92 - 6,320 miles - JCT600 Lotus
- 09/91 - 4,221 miles - JCT600 Lotus
Notable recent maintenance:
- 04/24 - £359 - Performance Autocare - headlamp motor refurbishment
- 01/22 - £3,200 - Simon Graeme - cambelt etc plus servicing at 38,690 miles
The Condition
- Factory standard and unmodified car in red with well-kept body and paintwork
- Vendor reports some slight scrapes painted upon taking ownership
- The vendor reports the underside to be in very good order
- No structural advisories on MOT
- Factory alloy wheels present well
- Recently fitted with new Falken tyres, we are told
- Steel spare wheel
- Black folding roof with clear screen, said to be in good working order
- Black and red leather interior with well-kept seats and switchgear
- The glovebox catch needs attention
- Retains original wheel and period Blaupunkt radio cassette
- All instruments and dials working
- Vendor reports interior is in good order for 35-year-old vehicle
- We are told that there is some wear on seat bases
The Mechanics
- 1,588cc four-cylinder transverse turbocharged engine
- Five-speed manual transmission
- Reported to start and run well
- All injectors replaced in 2025
- Cambelt, water pump, tensioner, idler, belts and all filters replaced in early 2022
- Service history as shown in photos
- No advisories on MOT
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