Lotus Elise S1 Restoration - The Essex Elise
Discussion
I've always fancied starting a Readers' Car thread and probably should have done one for my TVR and SL500 but felt I'd not add anything new on TVRs and the SL500 isn't particularly interesting enough to warrant one. However I hope my latest purchase will interest some of you given the start point for the car and how its being approached and warrant your time. I've also no doubt it will unveil a few curveballs that the collective wisdom of Pistonheads might be able help me with.
An S1 Elise has been on my 'must own one at somepoint' list ever since I was a boy but I'd always imagined I find my myself a tidy 111S and take my time being picky at searching for it and own it perhaps once the SL goes. None of that seems to have happened. Within a week of talking about Elise's whilst having some work done on one of my other cars (don't want to break posting rules by mentioning the garage unless advised otherwise) and subsequently trawling various selling sites wondering what the less pristine Elise's go for, I spotted, viewed and placed a deposit on a very unloved and non-running Elise project which was the cheapest in the country by some stretch and it arrives at the weekend!
The chap I purchased it from has been very helpful and had considerable interest in the car since which I think is a good sign. There's myriad things to sort on the car as it hasn't run or had an MOT for at least 3 years but the bones of it seem good and I'm looking forward to working with Bradley at my local TVR and Lotus specialist to return it to its former glory.
Plan at the moment it to return to it to standard or 'standard+' as much as possible whilst incorporating some of the common upgrades/fixes many have applied to Elises over the years. Its a very similar spec to the S1 in Lotus' heritage fleet I think so it would be nice to mimic that. We're dubbing it the Essex Elise as my plan is to see if the project can be completed using the network of specialists in North Essex to undertake all the specialist work (mechanical, cosmetic, interior, detailing etc) and as a showcase for the younger generation working on keeping the more interesting cars on the road and in tip top fettle.
A couple of pictures below of its current condition from the selling dealers photos but more to follow once it arrives and we've had it up on the ramp and receives a proper inspection by Bradley (fingers crossed I haven't missed any howlers). Suffice to say there is rust, there is algae, there are holes but no mayo'y oil and its the cheapest Elise in the country so the only way is up!
My first one of these so any tips on how to make it interesting or what you want to see or find out about please let me know!
Cheers
Alex
An S1 Elise has been on my 'must own one at somepoint' list ever since I was a boy but I'd always imagined I find my myself a tidy 111S and take my time being picky at searching for it and own it perhaps once the SL goes. None of that seems to have happened. Within a week of talking about Elise's whilst having some work done on one of my other cars (don't want to break posting rules by mentioning the garage unless advised otherwise) and subsequently trawling various selling sites wondering what the less pristine Elise's go for, I spotted, viewed and placed a deposit on a very unloved and non-running Elise project which was the cheapest in the country by some stretch and it arrives at the weekend!
The chap I purchased it from has been very helpful and had considerable interest in the car since which I think is a good sign. There's myriad things to sort on the car as it hasn't run or had an MOT for at least 3 years but the bones of it seem good and I'm looking forward to working with Bradley at my local TVR and Lotus specialist to return it to its former glory.
Plan at the moment it to return to it to standard or 'standard+' as much as possible whilst incorporating some of the common upgrades/fixes many have applied to Elises over the years. Its a very similar spec to the S1 in Lotus' heritage fleet I think so it would be nice to mimic that. We're dubbing it the Essex Elise as my plan is to see if the project can be completed using the network of specialists in North Essex to undertake all the specialist work (mechanical, cosmetic, interior, detailing etc) and as a showcase for the younger generation working on keeping the more interesting cars on the road and in tip top fettle.
A couple of pictures below of its current condition from the selling dealers photos but more to follow once it arrives and we've had it up on the ramp and receives a proper inspection by Bradley (fingers crossed I haven't missed any howlers). Suffice to say there is rust, there is algae, there are holes but no mayo'y oil and its the cheapest Elise in the country so the only way is up!
My first one of these so any tips on how to make it interesting or what you want to see or find out about please let me know!
Cheers
Alex
Edited by agreen on Wednesday 4th March 20:38
John D. said:
Well done for bringing it back to life.
Washer bottle looks a bit odd. Doesn't match the shape or have a cap on the top like normal. Expect this is least of your problems though!
Fingers crossed it is something as simple as it was previously moved out of the way to get to the battery!Washer bottle looks a bit odd. Doesn't match the shape or have a cap on the top like normal. Expect this is least of your problems though!
Edited by agreen on Wednesday 4th March 21:33
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