1983 CN Sprint

Lot details
Registration No: A548TLG
Chassis No: CN0101
Mot Expiry: June 2018

- Hand-built by the late Neil Shepherdson (the Neil in Christopher Neil Ltd of Northwich)

- 2-litre 16V Zetec unit and original Dunlop D1 alloy wheels

- Recently overhauled at a cost of £12,500

The CN Sprint was a replica kit car marketed by Lotus marque specialists Christopher Neil Ltd of Northwich, Cheshire. This particular example, (Chassis No.00001) was hand-built by the late Neil Shepherdson (the Neil in Christopher Neil) and originally registered to him. He apparently created the car using all new parts, including a galvanised Lotus Elan S4 chassis, genuine Lotus suspension, brakes, steering and differential. It was used as a press/sales demonstrator and originally powered by a Ford 1600cc CVH engine driving through a Sierra five-speed gearbox.

The vendor had the CVH unit professionally replaced with a 2-litre 16V Zetec unit, which predictably endows the car with performance superior to that of an original Elan Sprint. Coincident with the transplant, the brakes, suspension, wheel bearings and drive shafts were overhauled at a cost of £12,500 and a new hood completed the makeover. The vendor currently regards the evocation as `mechanically superb and an absolute joy to drive, being very quick and amazingly tractable with superb reliability'. He goes on to say, `the bodywork is very good with no crazing, but just some faint blemishes noticeable at very close quarters. The interior is in very good condition with no rips or marks on the original Elan seats, carpet or console, the latter of which has been retrimmed in fine leather. The electrics are all working reliably, including the windows and headlights, which are instantly raised by electric motor'. In summary, he currently regards the Zetec engine and five-speed gearbox as `excellent', the fibreglass bodywork as `very good', the Black interior trim as `good', and the Red over White paintwork as `average'.

`A548 TLG' is now offered complete with its original Dunlop D1 alloy wheels, sheaf of past invoices, complimentary period magazine article, period advertising and photos, old MOT certificates and one valid to June 26 this year.