1998 LOTUS ELISE

Lotus Elise, 1998 early lightweight model, exceptional condition, well cared for example including full suspension refresh and more.

Full service history including all MOT's, receipts for parts and servicing with Lotus Specialists going back to the first owner. Including the original purchase invoice for £23850 from Frosts in Shoreham, dated 18th August 1998. Also the original Lotus Elise folder complete with original contents including maintenance record booklets stamped up to 2017. 4 Previous owners. Owned by myself since February 2018. I have kept all receipts for parts and servicing and documented all works on my website noisymini dot com (PH won't let me write it properly, searching noisymini on Google will work fine). I have never tracked the car and it is understood that previous owners have not either (previous owners active on SELOC forum). Other than the day I bought it, I have never used the Elise on wet roads. I have always garaged it and hibernated it over winter. Given the overall condition I would say this has generally been the case for its whole life.

Please visit my website 'noisymini' and click on ‘All Series 1 Elise’ for a full history of my ownership and work carried out by myself during the last 6 years. I am a car obsessed mechanical engineer and have very much enjoyed the time spent caring for and improving the Elise. If I could, I’d keep it but I will be moving house and one less car to complicate the move and the need to free up the cash means it’s time for a new owner to enjoy the Elise.

Details:

Series 1 Lotus Elise

First registered in August 1998

57000 miles

MOT Sept 2025

Titanium Metallic

Original red leather seats

Two sets of keys and alarm fobs

1.8 16 Valve K-Series engine + cams and pulleys

Genuine Lotus hardtop

Early model with blue glue, boot bag and aluminium engine cover. These are known to be the lightest of all Series 1 cars.

Engine Specs:

1.8 K Series

DVA 135 Kit - Piper 270 Camshafts and vernier pulleys

MLS head gasket

52mm throttle body

Bespoke induction setup with ITG Maxogen 3 layer filter (OEM Air Box and K&N filter included)

Hanger 111 stainless steel Signature exhaust

VVC 160 exhaust manifold with ground back internal welds

Dyno'd at 140bhp

Original catalytic converter fitted

PRT thermostat relocation kit with silicone hoses

New exhaust manifold heat shielding

Bespoke alternator heat shield

Polyurethane engine steady bushings (upper and lower)

Suspension:

Full suspension refresh with full alignment and cornerweight adjustment

Wishbones stripped and painted

Steel chassis suspension inserts cleaned and painted

Original aluminium uprights blasted and re-anodised in red then clear coated in POR15 clear coat

Elise Parts wishbone spherical bearings

Elise Parts supplied Delphi ball joints

Elise Parts wheel bearings

Elise Parts track rod ends

New ARB drop links

New bolts/nuts/washers throughout (mix of stainless, 8.8 and 12.9 grades where necessary)

Steering rack rebuilt with Elise Parts inner joint cups

Steering rack raiser plates

Stainless steel camber and caster shims

Elise Parts nylatron roll bar bushes

Elise Parts uniball rear toe links

Nitron dampers

Full wheel alignment and cornerweight adjustment

Wheels & Brakes:

ROTA Slipstream wheels with Lotus centre caps and Lotus spoke decals

Elise Parts Ultimax Discs & Carbone Lorraine RC5+ Sintered Metal Pads

Elise Parts supplied Goodridge stainless braided brake lines

ATE TYP 200 brake fluid

Other Improvements/Modifications/Parts

Exige headlight covers

Driving light covers

Smoked front, rear & side indicators

Carbon fibre radiator surround cover

Carbon fibre side scoops

Carbon fibre wiper motor cover

Elise Parts stone protectors

Front splitter

Extended 6 fin rear diffuser

S2 Engine Cover

S2 Wiper Arm

Rear lift/jack blocks fitted behind undertray

Alpine Radio / CD player

OMP flat bottomed steering wheel (original Lotus leather wheel included)

Maintenance / Servicing Carried Out:

Timing belt and water pump replaced 1300 miles ago

New Varta battery fitted May 2024

New brake master cylinder

New clutch slave cylinder

Inlet manifold gasket replaced

Old IAT coolant drained, fully flushed and replaced with modern longer lasting Millers OAT coolant

Gearbox oil changed

Elise Parts clutch slave cylinder support bracket

Clutch pedal trunnion

Elise parts gearbox linkage bushes

Genuine Bosch lambda sensor

NGK spark plugs

CL RC5+ pads fitted 400 miles ago

Also Included:

Hardtop storage bag

Rear window bag

Shower cap waterproof cover (windscreen/roof/doors)

Quality fitted indoor cover, fleece lined with embroidered Lotus logo

Original Lotus rollbar cover

Original soft top

Please take the time to visit my website (Google 'noisymini') where you will find full details and many pictures of almost everything I’ve done with the Elise.

The car is currently SORNed as I don’t intend to drive it now. I will tax it for any potential buyers so it can be driven. Test drives will be with myself driving, I’m happy to take any direction from a buyer to check anything, I am not in a position to risk the car being driven by someone else.

Please contact me to arrange to see the Elise or to ask any questions. I am usually free evenings and weekends but work odd hours at times and can work from home so it’s possible I could be available during weekdays.

I am located near Battle, East Sussex, TN33.