1999 LOTUS ELISE

After 14 years of ownership, the time has reluctantly come to part with what has been a truly special car.

This 1999 Lotus Elise S1 is presented in its original New Aluminium finish and has covered just 46,000 miles from new. With only two former keepers and an extensive documented history dating back to its original order in May 1999, it represents a genuine opportunity to purchase an exceptionally well cared-for, reliable, low mileage example.

What sets this Elise apart is not simply its mileage, but the quality of its ownership and maintenance. Every service has been carried out by recognised Lotus main dealers or highly regarded marque specialists including Haydon Lotus, Sportomotive, Bell & Colvill, Brooke Kensington, Scott-Russell Sports and Allon White Sports. The car has never wanted for anything, has always been maintained on condition rather than cost and has never let me down.

The history file is extensive and includes the original purchase invoice, every MOT certificate, service invoices, manuals, alarm documentation, security codes, receipts for maintenance and upgrades, and supporting paperwork accumulated throughout the car's 27-year life. Its provenance can not be faulted.

The car has always been garaged throughout my ownership. When Simon Scott-Russell replaced the alloy radiator, he remarked how unusually easy it was to remove the front clam because the original fixings released without the corrosion or seized fasteners so commonly encountered on S1 Elises. It was a small but telling indication of how carefully the car has been stored and maintained throughout its life.

Reliability and Maintenance

The car has never been modified simply for the sake of it. Every change has been made either to preserve reliability, improve usability or protect the car for long-term ownership, while keeping its essential character intact. Reliability and preventative maintenance includes:

• S1 Pro alloy radiator and cooling fan

• Replaced catalytic converter

• Recent Battery

• Stainless braided brake hoses

• EBC Turbo Groove brake discs

• Regular cambelt replacements in accordance with specialist recommendations

• Annual servicing regardless of mileage

Sympathetic upgrades include:

• Magnex stainless steel exhaust

• Sport 160 52mm throttle body

• EliseParts quick-shift and upgraded gear linkage

• Halo LED headlights (original headlights also included)

• Carbon/leather seats trimmed with blue Alcantara for significantly improved comfort

• Retrimmed sill pads and steering wheel centre

• Smoked indicator lenses and discreet cosmetic improvements

• Kenwood D-Mask audio with USB connectivity

The car also benefits from four Yokohama Advan Neova tyres, two keys, shower cape, replacement floor mats and numerous thoughtful improvements accumulated during careful enthusiast ownership.

Factory recalls, including the early fuel line campaign and floor pan corrosion inspection, have both been completed.

Condition

The car retains its original factory paintwork and original alloy wheels, something that has become increasingly uncommon on S1 Elises. It presents extremely well for its age and has never been restored to disguise its history, instead remaining an honest, well-preserved example.

As you would expect of a 27-year-old car, there are a few minor cosmetic signs of careful use. These include a small scratch on the left sill, repaired during the original owner's tenure. There is also light wear to the driver's seat bolsters, entirely consistent with the car's age and mileage.

These minor imperfections are shown in the photographs so that prospective buyers have a complete and accurate representation of the car's condition.

This has never been a neglected or modified track car. Instead, it has been enjoyed exactly as Colin Chapman intended: carefully maintained, sympathetically improved where sensible, and driven sparingly.

Finding an S1 with this level of documented history, low ownership, specialist maintenance and provenance is becoming increasingly difficult.

If you're looking for an honest, original-feeling Elise that inspires confidence as much as it delivers one of the purest driving experiences ever built, I believe you'll struggle to find a better cared-for example.

Serious enquiries are welcome. Inspection is encouraged, and the comprehensive history file is available to view with the car.