1995 Lotus Elan S2

The M100 series Elan was launched in 1989, reviving the name after a 14 year hiatus. In many ways it followed the established pattern of the original Elan - a small, good looking, plastic bodied, front engined two seater soft top, The main difference being it was front wheel drive, making it more predictable and driver friendly than the original car. It was well received by reviewers, being described by Autocar magazine as "the quickest point to point car available” and another as 'the finest front wheel drive [car] bar none’. Its 1588cc 4 cylinder engine was sourced from Isuzu but extensively reworked by Lotus, and available with a turbo, boosting performance to 162bhp and giving a 0-60 of 6.5 seconds and a top speed of 137 mph. 2 years after the end of the production run, during the Roman Artioli Bugatti era of Lotus ownership, it was decided that by utilising 800 remaining turbo engines, a limited run of very highly specced Elan S2s would be built. These were produced in 1995 as a final run out edition. This car is number 385 of these 800 swansong cars (400 were left hand drive, 400 right hand drive). The car is finished in Beautiful Medina Green metallic (almost turquoise in the sun), with contrasting cloth interior which is in great condition. The roof is free from rips and tears, and the rear window is clear and shows no signs of degradation to the plastic. It has only 1 previous owner from new (two in total) which is completely unheard of! When the car sells it will be coming out of 25 year ownership and has been pampered like no other. This car has been the recipient of huge recent expenditure to mechanically refresh and futureproof what was already one of the most honest examples you could hope to find. Works included a 4 pot brake conversion to the front (it now stops as well as it goes!) plus brake lines and bias valves. Control arms and anti-roll bars have been replaced, along with new springs and dampers. GAZ coilover units were fitted in place of original suspension items that are no longer available. The body was removed from the chassis, gearbox stripped and cleaned, new clutch fitted and full chassis shot blasted and corroded areas replaced. The works were extensive and carried out by a marque specialist who would be happy to vouch for the car and scope of works should a genuine buyer require this. The invoice for the works was circa £13k and it now drives faultlessly. Tight and responsive, just as a Lotus should be. Cosmetically, the car is very straight. It would benefit form a few touch ups and maybe a couple of smart repairs to scuffs but it is presentable as it is. The driver’s window has recently stopped operating, and a few rubber seals could do with renewing just to take it to the next level. In conclusion, this has to be one of the very best examples available, with the opportunity for a new owner to be able to add their mark to it. The monetary investment it has had lavished upon it is unmatched in the marketplace.