2000 LOTUS ELISE S1 SPORT 160

KEY FACTS

• A very rare and original Sport 160, one of 337 made, with 20-year single ownership and comprehensive maintenance history.
• It is powered by the uprated 160hp 1.8-litre DOHC K-series inline-four, driven through the rear wheels via a five-speed manual transmission.
• It still has just one registered keeper from new, having been acquired by a private collector last year but not re-registered in their name.

EQUIPMENT AND FEATURES

• This is a later ‘Whole Vehicle Type Approval’ Sport 160 with the full original factory specification, which ran to chassis number 1645, before different sport suspension and skeleton seats became optional.
• The Sport 160 engine featured modified inlet and exhaust ports and camshafts, a VVC type cast alloy inlet manifold/plenum, and a 45mm-diameter 4-2-1 exhaust manifold as seen on the 340R. The WVTA cars were also equipped with an oil cooler, with the extra 10hp able to be released with the second air box removed (done on this car) and a sports exhaust installed (which is supplied with this car, but not fitted).
• Equipped with Sport suspension, this includes adjustable Koni dampers with shorter and stiffer springs than the standard Elise, and a revised front anti-roll bar with Nylon chassis mounting blocks.
• The specific Sport 160 skeleton seats were finished in brushed Nylon with Alcantara centre panels, and there was also an Alcantara steering wheel centre.
• It rides on the correct ‘Lotus Victory’ five-spoke alloy wheels, with 15-inch diameter at the front and 16-inch at the rear.
• A red cloth soft top is included in the sale, along with a second set of standard Elise seats, which the next owner could fit to preserve the original cloth and Alcantara items.
• Accompanied by a full book pack, stamped service record, and an itemised maintenance print-out showing all work from new.

CONDITION

• There is no bodywork damage, and a recent inspection confirmed that the car is accident-free.
• Its paintwork is in excellent overall condition for its age. The front and rear clams were resprayed in 2015 purely for cosmetic reasons. The vendor notes one front stone chip, and very light scratches on the rear quarter.
• Currently fitted are the original Nylon and Alcantara bucket seats, which exhibit some wear commensurate with the mileage. An original set of leather-clad Elise seats is also present, which are in good order.
• There are no mechanical or electrical faults.
• The most recent MOT test was on 21 October 2020 at 48,306 miles, which resulted in a clean pass with no advisories or defects.

SERVICE HISTORY

• Last serviced in October 2020 at 48,319 miles, carried out by Lakeside Engineering, this comprised a full service and cambelt replacement, as well as a new wheel bearing and handbrake cable. Technicians also inspected the car and found it to be damage-free.
• Between 2012 and 2015, around £11,000 was invested in refurbishment by the first owner; including new suspension, head gasket work, respraying both clams, fitting new brake discs and pads, and giving the car a full service and cambelt renewal.
• During the vendor’s brief ownership, the spats around the rear wheel arches have been replaced, new mudguards fitted, and a new Bluetooth-enabled stereo has been installed (original included)

Summary:

• 22/10/2020 - 48,319 miles - Lakeside Engineering (service, cambelt: £1200)
• 10/02/2015 - 48,146 miles - HR Owen (C service, cambelt, front and rear clam respray, new Toyo Proxes tyres, wheels refurbished, new brake discs and pads: £6059.68)
• 08/11/2012 - 45,178 miles - HR Owen (head gasket work: £1305.72)
• 17/05/2012 - 44,667 miles - HR Owen (new starter motor: £739.42)
• 16/04/2012 - 44,519 miles - HR Owen (new Sport suspension: £2597.99)
• 23/05/2011 - 41,472 miles - HR Owen (service: £579.07)
• 23/02/2010 - 37,572 miles - HR Owen (service: £1600.01)
• 04/09/2009 - 35,986 miles - HR Owen (new steering rack, new brake discs and pads: £1285.09)
• 31/07/2009 - 35,984 miles - HR Owen (service, all new wishbones: £2079.20)
• 20/04/2007 - 26,200 miles - HR Owen (service: £1181.72)
• 14/08/2006 - 24,614 miles - HR Owen (service)
• 03/08/2005 - 21,507 miles - HR Owen (service)
• 18/07/2003 - 15,816 miles - HR Owen (service, new steering rack: £1898.24)
• 09/05/2002 - 11,219 miles - HR Owen (service: £759.19)
• 08/08/2001 - 7,491 miles - HR Owen (service: £1029.00)
• 12/10/2000 - 2,000 miles - HR Owen (service)
• 04/07/2000 - 11 miles - HR Owen (PDI)

SUMMARY

This Lotus Elise Sport 160 is a remarkably rare lightweight sports car, which will no doubt appeal to marque collectors and keen drivers alike. Remaining highly original and unmolested, it was in single private ownership for 20 years - still with only one keeper on the V5C - and was fastidiously maintained by H.R. Owen. It benefits from around £12,000 of maintenance and refurbishment over the last 4,000 miles, and is accordingly in great condition, ready to relish on the road or track.

The description of this auction lot is, to the best of the seller's knowledge, accurate and not misleading. Collecting Cars requests a range of detail about the lot from the seller, and performs a level of due diligence. However, bidders must satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of the description, and conduct any research they feel is necessary before committing to a bid. Please see our Terms and Conditions for full details.

All UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Collecting Cars are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and has no finance owing.