1998 Lotus Elise S1 — Bell & Colvill Super 140, DVA Power K04 upgrade, 38,000 miles

Titanium Grey · 38,000 miles · MOT until spring 2027 · £18,495

An early, lightweight S1 Elise with a nice story: upgraded in period by Bell & Colvill to Super 140 specification include extremely rare lightweight magnesium wheels, and since developed sympathetically into a quick, beautifully sorted fast-road car, but still keeping the character that makes the S1 special.

The car

This is an early 1998 car in Titanium Grey, so one of the earlier, lighter S1s with green-glue chassis bonding, boot bag and the  aluminium boot lid. It retains its original soft top, which is in good condition. I’m the third or fourth owner and have had the car since April 2024; it now shows around 37,500 miles and comes with a folder full of paperwork going right back to the original sales invoice.

The in-period Bell & Colvill Super 140 upgrades came with some very (and some less) desirable options of its day: a carbon fibre (effect) interior panels  and — the bit that will interest S1 anoraks — a set of the very rare Technomagnesio lightweight magnesium wheels.

Engine and drivetrain

The K-series has been upgraded with well-regarded DVA Power K04 kit, which DVA advertised at 165+ bhp:

• Jenvey direct-to-head throttle bodies with composite trumpets and fuel rail mountings
• Piper BP285H fast road cams on Piper vernier pulleys
• Emerald K6 ECU

It also has

• A short ratio gearbox (B4BP)
• Stainless steel sports exhaust system

The result is a really rapid elise, it has a lovely sharp throttle response from the individual throttle bodies and an appetite for revs, but it’s still tractable. It starts first time (despite the throttle bodies) and will pull away smoothly in 1st/2nd gear from cold. In 2025 I had a new stainless system fitted from the manifold back, including a catalytic converter and wideband lambda configured with the Emerald ECU, so the car passes its MOT emissions test without drama.

Suspension

The car has nitron adjustable suspension and has been corner weighted.

Other upgrades

The car is fitted with a Prodimex shifter kit which has transformed the gear shift.

A Tillett carbon fibre B5 seat on new runners is currently fitted on the driver’s side and is available with the car for an additional £1,150.

Recent work

• 2025: full cambelt service; new stainless exhaust from the manifold back with new catalytic converter and wideband lambda sensor, mapped in on the Emerald (emissions passed first time at MOTs).
• 2024: new windscreen; front clam fixings refreshed

Condition

The bodywork is in very good though not pristine condition.  It’s an honest, very usable car with a few stone chips. The original soft top is in good condition. MOT until spring 2027.

Paperwork

Comprehensive history folder including the original sales invoice, service records and receipts for the work described above.

Summary

S1 Elises are only getting harder to find in this sort of condition, and cars with genuine in-period Bell & Colvill provenance rarer still. This one combines that history with a thoughtfully upgraded drivetrain and suspension and its a car you can buy and just get on and drive no work needed)

£18,995 (Tillett driver’s seat available for £1,150 extra). Viewings welcome.