Rare John Player Special S1 Lotus Elise

This Lotus Elise S1 is in limited-edition ‘Type 79 John Player Special’ guise. It has a dealer-fitted ‘Sport 135’ upgrade, delivering approximately 140bhp.

First registered in January 2000, this Elise has been with its current and fifth owner since February 2024 and only owned by Lotus enthusiasts.

Just 117 Elise S1 Type 79 John Player Specials were planned, of which only 38 are believed to have been produced in right-hand-drive configuration with the original standard 118bhp engine

The specification includes black paintwork and numerous gold-toned accents, including grilles, wheels from the 111S.

A dealer-fitted Lotus Sport 135 upgrade has been installed, which includes an alloy intake plenum and a ported and polished cylinder head.

Modifications include a Janspeed exhaust, Nitron dampers, braided brake hoses, an alloy radiator, and Eliseparts uni-ball toe links.

Owner’s book pack, service book, a folder of invoices, and both keys.

The inner seat panels would benefit from being reupholstered, the cloth on the rear of the seats needs re-glueing, and part of the soft top was restitched by a previous owner and looks untidy.

The cam belt, tensioner, catalytic converter with gaskets and bolts, alternator belt, clutch slave cylinder support, and arch stone guards were replaced in January 2024 at 103,035 miles.

The car was last serviced in July 2022 at 102,450 miles, which included replacing the engine oil, oil filter, spark plugs, distributor cap, rotor arm, HT leads, air filter, battery, gearbox oil, and clutch fluid.

Prior to this, services were carried out in November 2021 at 101,773 miles and March 2021 at 100,579 miles.

The air filter, front brake pads, rear brake discs and pads, brake hoses, brake master cylinder, and brake fluid were renewed in March 2021.

The head gasket and cylinder head were renewed in January 2005 at 41,797 miles.

The original Lotus recall has been carried out and that the car is therefore fitted with the double-skin additional floor panels, the geometry and alignment have been adjusted, and that the rear window seal and passenger window guide channel felt have been replaced within the last three years.