1991 Lotus Elan SE Turbo

Lot details
Registration No: J140LJF
Chassis No: SCC100ZT1MHD18393
Mot Expiry: Sept 2012

Lotus's diminutive 1960s Elan quickly achieved iconic status and marked a high point in the company's history. No doubt a degree of reflected glory was sought by applying the same moniker to the very different Peter Stevens-penned M100 model launched in 1989. A small, fibreglass-bodied two-seater sports car constructed over a rigid steel chassis, the newcomer certainly conformed to the general philosophy of Lotus's late founder, Colin Chapman. The major departure was the use of front-wheel drive - a configuration not employed by Lotus before or since. Also a first for the company at that time, was the level of funding available for development (reputedly £35 million), courtesy of the deep pockets of its then owner, General Motors. The result was a pretty car described at the time by Autocar as `the quickest point to point car available.' The M100 was powered by a Lotus-modified 1588 DOHC Isuzu unit. Most customers opted for the SE model that featured a 162bhp turbocharged version of the engine and power steering as standard. Autocar's test of the SE achieved an impressive 0-60mph time of 6.5 seconds and a top speed of 137mph. By the time production of the Elan ceased in 1992 some 3,855 had been delivered from the Hethel factory.

This right-hand drive M100 Elan is an SE example that vacated the Hethel factory in 1991. It features Red bodywork teamed with a Red and Grey leather interior. Apparently the vendor purchased `J140 LJF' from marque specialist Paul Matty Cars some four years ago. However, he admits to covering very few miles in the ensuing period and the Lotus has therefore spent most of the time stored in a dry garage. He considers the bodywork and engine as being "very good", the paintwork to be "good" (apparently the bumpers have recently been refurbished), the interior trim to be generally "very good" (evidently the driver's seat is showing slight signs of wear), and the five-speed manual transmission to be "excellent". The Elan is MOT'd into September 2012. Many people agree with Autocar's verdict on the model and good ones have a faithful following, to whom good examples are always of interest.