1999 Lotus Elise Series 1

• This smart Elise was supplied new by SGT Garages of Maidenhead on 07/01/1999 optioned with driving lights, radio fitting-kit, leather trim and a dealer-fit 'Janspeed' exhaust" for a total sum of £24,502.40
• Serviced regularly throughout its life with the first service being completed by SGT on 07/01/2000 (10,354)
• Fabulous service history (see main description). In February 2021 the car went to Bristol Classic Car Restorations for a full service and check over prior to sale (£5,000 +)
• Very recent paint refresh in its original 3-pack Pearlescent Yellow at a cost of over £4,000.(April 2021)
• Large history file with detailed invoices, MOTs, V5, Owner's Manuals, original Bill of Sale, etc.
• It's rare to find a one owner from new Elise and, with its detailed history and very recent expenditure of over £9,000, at this guide it seems remarkable value

Purity is a fragile and vulnerable thing and in August 1996, the revolutionary new Lotus Elise seemed to ooze purity from every extruded anodised aluminium and epoxy resin crevice, with nothing superfluous subtracting from the essence of this truly minimalist, focused little sports car. Although 'beautiful to behold' it certainly was, the time-honoured relationship between 'form and function' was clearly evident in the way it went and handled with its lightweight chassis-tub at 731kg failing to daunt the enthusiasm of the mid-mounted, 1.8-litre K-series engine, and its 118bhp was enough for a 0-60mph time in the low sixes allied to decent torque in the higher ratios. Clothed in two-piece 'clamshell' fibreglass bodywork, the featherweight two-door also featured all round double-wishbone, independent coil-over suspension, rack and pinion steering, four-wheel ventilated disc brakes, and a five-speed gearbox.

 Designer Julian Thomson and engineer Richard Rackham were keen to create a car with something of a motorcycle’s feel, and they undoubtedly succeeded, as is evident as much in the aluminium-and-rubber interior and neat little Stack instrument panel, as in the car's dynamic intimacy with the road, the wind, and the weather. The Elise was a reaction to the corpulent world of leather, luxury, and levers becoming increasingly evident in Lotus road cars, and was an attempt to recreate Colin Chapman’s early principles before he abandoned them in a move upmarket.

The early cars were followed in 2002 by the Series 2 but the simpler, more demure Series 1 still defines the breed and this one owner, 1999 Pearlescent Yellow car is a perfect example. It's been completely refreshed very recently (April 2021) and our vendor, its only owner, has provided details of his life with the Lotus;

• The Elise was supplied new by SGT Garages of Maidenhead on 7 January 1999 with Driving lights, radio fitting kit, alloy window winders and leather trim as factory-fitted options plus a dealer fit "Janspeed" exhaust" for a total sum of £24,502.40.
  
• This one-owner car was used mostly in the summer and always garaged.
• The car was serviced regularly with the first service being completed by SGT on 7 January 2000 at a mileage of 10,354
• The next major service was conducted by Lakeside Engineering on 17/12/2001 with the mileage at 15,310.
• Lube/filter servicing was then conducted by the owner until 2008 when the car also had a new exhaust and ball joints fitted by Brooke Kensington Ltd with 34,572 on the odometer.
• Browns garage of Thame, replaced the cam belt and water pump and completed a full service on 24 July 2016 when the odometer was showing 38,424 miles.
• Between 2017 and 2019 Williams Automobiles, Lotus dealer, replaced the alternator belt and Yokohama Advan rear tyres (42,419 miles), repair starter motor (42,974 miles), and replaced alternator (46,906 miles). 
• The December 2020 MOT at Browns of Thame required a new catalytic converter and identified some other advisory work - mileage was 54,154.
• In February 2021 the car went to Bristol Classic Car Restorations for a full service and check over prior to sale.  Work completed at a cost of over £5,000 includes: 
  1. Hood repair, drivers seat retrim and knee/kick panel repair
  2. New water pump
  3. Refurbished wheels
  4. New discs and pads
  5. New adjustable shock absorbers all round
  6. Suspension and ride height set-up.
• A factory-approved body shop for a comprehensive respray in 3-pack Pearlescent Yellow paint at a cost of over £4,000. Whilst the car has never been "pranged" the bodywork was tired with stone chip damage to the front clam-shell and door mirrors, and 2 minor grazes to the rear bodywork. In April 2021, Specialised Paintworks have resprayed both the front and rear clam-shells as well as the mirrors and parts of the doors at a cost of £4,000. I have invoices for all the above in a filed in the binder with other supporting documentation (MOTs etc.)

The Elise is supplied with its Owner's Manual, the V5C, lots of invoices and an MOT valid until December, 2021.

It's very seldom that we are presented with a car where its owner has had such a dedicated approach to servicing and maintenance and it's confidence inspiring. With over £9,000 worth of recent expenditure, this little Lotus seems very sensibly guided and we welcome any inspection.