Lotus Elise S1: Spotted

How better to mark the Elise's imminent 20th birthday than with a gorgeous early S1?

Where would Lotus be without the Elise? Doesn't really bear worth thinking about. The pretty little roadster exceeded all sales expectations, spawned many other models and remains on sale in Series 3 form today. It was the huge success that Lotus desperately needed.

Kind of got it right first time round, didn't they?

In September 1995 the Elise brought together so much to create an incredibly desirable sports car - that aluminium construction, a hugely tempting £19K price, great performance and those looks meant the deposits flooded in.

We all know the car far exceeded expectations. That initial impact inevitably waned to the point where excellence is expected from an Elise-based product but there's little surprise anymore. Or you could argue it's just taken the rest this long to catch up: don't forget the Alfa 4C's carbon tub is only a 3kg lighter than an Elise's.

Whatever the case, and whatever the Elise's future, the 20th anniversary car doesn't seem like the best tribute. It's a very special occasion that the car doesn't quite fit. Here is what a 20th anniversary car should have been more like.

The first Elises reached customers in August 1996 so this car is very early in the production run. It's marked out to by the aluminium brakes and bootlid that were done away with in later models. Surely an anniversary car pared back and as close in spirit to the 723kg original would have been more fitting.

Out of storage, freshly serviced, ready to go!

But enough of that, to this Elise. And what a lovely Elise it is. As well as being a very early car, it's a very lightly used one, with 15,000 miles. Whether that's good or bad for you depends on perspective. But after 10 years in storage it's been recently (and very comprehensively) serviced, ready to use for whatever is remaining of the summer. The Azure Blue paint is immaculate, what there is of an interior looks incredible and the engine bay appears factory fresh.

It's not even too expensive. Sure, £18K looks a lot given where Elises once were but a lot of nice, early Elises are around £15K. This car of course has the added kudos of the aluminium parts. Perhaps something like this would be more suitable for regular use and a track day or two but the appeal of the blue Elise is huge. Then of course the only way to really mark the occasion is with a road trip, right?

LOTUS ELISE S1
Engine: 1,796cc 16-valve inline-four
Transmission: 5-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 120@5,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 122@3,000rpm
MPG: N/A
CO2: N/A
First registered: 1996
Recorded mileage: 14,900
Price new: £18,950
Yours for: £17,775