2000 Lotus Elise S1 Type 49

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 as 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 and any number of special models with various engine options and greater levels of creature comfort and they're all great, but the simpler, more demure Series 1 still defines the breed.

During its production run, Lotus offered a number of 'Special Editions' as part of the Elise ' Heritage Range', one of these being the 'Type 49'. The car pays homage to the Lotus Type 49 Formula 1 car which won its debut Grand Prix in the hands of Jim Clark. This was not the only reason for its fame; it was the car developed alongside the V8 Cosworth Ford DFV, the engine that dominated F1 for a full decade. The Type 49 was also the first Formula 1 car to use the engine as an integral stressed part of the chassis. Sadly the Elise doesn't come with that engine but is a standard car finished in the distinctive red, white and gold livery of the original F1 car. Gold six-spoke wheels are also a feature along with perforated red leather seats and steering wheel centre, and black Alcantara door panels. Only 100 of these cars were produced for the UK market.

This Type 49 was first registered in 2000 and our vendor is the car's third owner, however, the Lotus formed part of his collection and was hardly, if ever. used. The previous owner enjoyed the little Lotus for thirteen years and patently it was his pride and joy. He used the car during the Summer months only and it was SORN'd for the other six months. He fitted it with driving lamps, a stainless steel sports exhaust, Bilstein sports suspension, Hurricane induction, and a Momo quick release steering wheel. (the original wheel is with the car). The hood was Fabsil protected and Armourfend paint protection was carefully applied to the bodywork. The pads, front and rear, have only done a few miles and the current indicated mileage is just over 24,000. The Lotus will have a fresh MOT for the sale and our fastidious vendor will no doubt have assembled all the relevant documents.

This is a really pretty car, and in Red, White, Gold, and Black it looks like a four-wheel Ducati. It's immaculate inside and out and if it was a toy, it would be “Mint and Boxed” which, come to think of it, with Christmas around the corner, is not a bad idea.