The NEC Classic Motor Show Sale 10th - 12th November 2023

The NEC Classic Motor Show Sale 2023 Cars 154 Registration: P516 FPM Chassis No.: SCC111YN1VHA10911 Estimate: £25,000 - £30,000 Offered at No Reserve Specialist: Joseph Watts Telephone No: 07779 082707 Lot 232 Charity Lot - 1997 Lotus Elise Series 1 - 1,900 miles Designer Julian Thomson and engineer Richard Rackham were keen to create a car with something of a motorcycle’s feel and they undoubtedly succeeded; as is evident as much in the aluminium-and-rubber interior and neat little Stack instrument panel, as in the car’s dynamic intimacy with the road, the wind and the weather. The Elise was a reaction to the corpulent world of leather, luxury and levers becoming increasingly evident in Lotus road cars, and was an attempt to recreate Colin Chapman’s early principles before he abandoned them in a move upmarket. Introduced at the 1995 Frankfurt Motor Show, just over 10,600 S1 Elises were built before the arrival of the S2 in 2001. It’s a testimony to the concept that, almost 27 years on from launch, the original 118bhp S1 still delivers. As with other great drivers’ cars such as the E30 M3 and the original Elan, all things feel in balance - power, grip, handling and mass, making for a uniquely satisfying experience. The Series 2 naturally benefitted from further years of development, however the more demure Series 1 still defines the breed. The car presented here is a 1997 Lotus Elise S1 which was supplied new by long-established Lotus dealers Bell & Colvill to Robert ‘Robs’ Lamplough, the well- known 1960s racing driver and prominent member of the BRDC. Remarkably, it has covered just 1,900 miles from new, supported by its incredible condition and its detailed history file. This is a ‘museum-quality’ modern-classic, but it has been used and exercised sparingly, ensuring its fitness. Coincidentally, our very own ambassador, Harry Metcalfe, drove this actual car in October 2022, saying ‘Nothing to see here, just an 1,800 miles from new 1996 Lotus Elise I was in today. Felt so light on its feet (K-Series was the perfect engine for the Elise) and steering was a reminder of how good a no-power assist rack can be. Pretty car too.’ This little Lotus presents superbly in Racing Green Metallic with Magnolia hide, and is fitted with a ‘Momo’ steering wheel, built in driving lights and Perspex headlamp covers. It is the 911th example produced and is equipped with a number of features unique to the early cars, including the lightweight Metal Matrix Composite (MMC) brakes and aluminium engine cover that helped towards achieving the headline- grabbing target weight of just 690kg. The accompanying history file includes it’s original purchase invoice and previous service invoices (including from the supplying dealer). As good as you’d ever find. This fabulous Lotus is very generously being offered for sale with the hammer price figure realised (plus, the IA sellers commission) being donated to Birmingham-based charity Kids Club Kampala - a children’s charity with a Christian ethos working in Uganda, East Africa. Their mission is to support vulnerable kids in the slums of Kampala, the capital of Uganda, by providing for both their immediate needs and strengthening their futures by feeding, protecting, educating and skilling. Their projects are a lifeline to vulnerable children, and they are currently supporting over 300,000 individuals across 12 communities in Uganda. On offer from the Barton J Hubert No Reserve Collection - with the hammer price (plus Buyers Premium) going to the Kids Club Kampala Charity; a simply stunning Collector-quality Series 1 with just under 1,900 miles from new. More Details Lot 232 Bid On Lot 232