2000 LOTUS ELISE S1 SPORT 160

KEY FACTS

• A superb example of the very rare Sport 160, one of just 50 early ‘SVA’ examples built, presented in an eye-catching factory hue.
• Under the engine lid is the 160hp 1.8-litre DOHC K-Series inline-four, which drives the rear wheels via a five-speed manual transmission.
• This example is the 12th of the 50 Sport 160s built and registered via the Single Vehicle type Approval (SVA) process before the model went into full production. These early cars have the ‘full’ 160 specification, whereas some later WVTA cars only had certain features as options.
• There are just four registered keepers from new.

EQUIPMENT AND FEATURES

• 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, and a sports exhaust system.
• 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.
• This car was painted in Scandal Green from the factory, which was a colour unique to the 160 at the time.
• It was also specified with an optional radio/CD player and colour-coded hardtop.
• This Elise is fitted with an aftermarket Emerald ECU and Janspeed exhaust silencer, but is otherwise completely standard and unmodified.
• The car will be accompanied by its original owner’s handbook and service book, as well as comprehensive documentation of its maintenance history and a Certificate of Vehicle Provenance from Lotus Cars, confirming this Sport 160’s authenticity and factory specification.

CONDITION

• While the car remains HPI clear, the Elise was involved in an opportunist burglary in 2009 where it was taken by an intruder. Following a search directed using online forums it was spotted and subsequently recovered on the same day.
• During this recovery, it was involved in a police chase and sustained damage to the front and rear clams. The front clam was replaced, the rear repaired, and the whole car painted to better-than-new standard. The work was carried out by Specialised Paintwork in Reading, a Lotus-approved bodyshop. There was no damage to the chassis and all work was covered under insurance.
• Today, the bodywork presents in excellent condition, and the Scandal Green paintwork is still in superb order.
• Its factory-supplied hard top is also in great shape.
• Inside, the black Nylon and red Alcantara-trimmed cabin is in great shape, and while there are some very minor scratches on the driver’s-side leather sill cover, this is in line with the car’s use.
• There are no known electrical or mechanical faults with the vehicle, nor are there any warning lights displayed on the dashboard.
• This Sport 160’s last MOT test was conducted on 4 September 2020 at 13,345 miles, resulting in a clean, first-time pass.

SERVICE HISTORY

• The car’s most recent routine maintenance was an oil and filter service, which was carried out in September 2020 at 13,316 miles by Lotus specialist Unit 4 Vehicle Services.
• Prior to this, a ‘C’ service - including replacement of the cambelt, spark plugs and water pump - was completed in September 2018 at 11,528 miles by marque specialist Jon Seal Sportscars.

Dates and mileage:

• 09/06/2000 – Unreadable
• 01/04/2009 – Not recorded
• 09/05/2013 – 9,941 miles
• 22/06/2015 – 10,572 miles
• 28/03/2017 – 11,019 miles
• 10/09/2018 – 11,528 miles
• 04/09/2020 – 13,316 miles

SUMMARY

One of only 50 early ‘SVA’ versions produced, this Lotus Elise S1 Sport 160 is an incredibly rare British sports car. Described by the vendor as probably the lowest mileage, best condition example in the UK, this eye-catching Elise will make a fantastic addition to any garage, and will no doubt prove a thrilling B-road companion.

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.