Lotus Elise S1: Spotted

A weekend spent celebrating 70 with Lotus was only going to end one way...

Lotus's 70th anniversary celebrations culminated at Hethel over the weekend, and what a joyous occasion it was. Hundreds and hundreds of cars, just as many owners, and a real sense of pride and optimism that comes from so many people sharing a common automotive passion. No doubt Geely's recent cash injection has helped the feeling of positivity, too...

Anyway, amongst a collection of fabulous Norfolk sports cars, it was the Series 1 Elises in attendance that lingered most fondly in the memory. Or rather, the S1 Elises and their various derivatives, what with a few 340Rs and Exiges also gracing the Hethel tarmac. Some would probably argue that 'various derivatives' extends even to the current line up, given how the architecture has evolved - but it was those earliest and prettiest Elises that really stole the show.

For something designed in the early 1990s, the Elise still looks really contemporary. Moreover, the obsession with saving weight a quarter of a century ago looks remarkably prescient now given the industry's focus on lower mass for higher efficiency. Light cars are both faster and more frugal, a mantra that of course has underpinned Lotus for a very long time - making the idea behind the Elise even more trendy 20 years after its launch.

As must have been mentioned before, the significance of the Elise to Lotus cannot be over exaggerated. Given that status, its sweet good looks, otherworldly dynamics and passing years, it's no surprise that values have been creeping up. We've discussed the Exige previously, but now an S1 Elise can be anything up to £40k; there's a host of cars at £20,000 and above, plus certain special editions - very desirable ones, admittedly - approaching £30,000.

Therefore, to see a very early, very nice S1 Elise lurking at £15,000 looks devilishly tempting. A 1996 car (i.e. the very first year of production), the Elise has been owned by the present keeper for 18 years and covered 63,000 miles in its two and a bit decades. Enough to mean it's not tremendously expensive, but also still low enough to mean the next owner can enjoy adding a few more. It has the Metal Matrix Composite brakes that only very few Elises have, isn't due another cambelt for a little while and will be sold with a new MOT and fresh service. October may not be the typical time to purchase a pared-back sports car, but then that also means it's not the typical time to sell one - perhaps it might be easier to secure a deal than in a few months time.

So while there are a few cheaper Elises (and plenty more expensive ones), this car's combination of price, spec, provenance and mileage make it perhaps the most appealing of the lot. In the brave new Geely world - indeed in a 2018 automotive world - it seems hard to imagine a 723kg sports car saving a company's fortunes all over again. The Elise is significant because it was brilliant, and now looks like the perfect time to see just what all the fuss has been about.

SPECIFICATION - LOTUS ELISE S1

Engine: 1,796cc, 4-cyl
Transmission: 5-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 120@5,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 122@3,000rpm
MPG: 39.4 (What Car? combined test mpg)
CO2: N/A
First registered: 1996
Recorded mileage: 63,000
Price new: £20,415
Yours for: £14,995