Elise S1 Sport 160, 44k miles, 16 services, excellent condition

Background on the Sport 160

The fact that you’re looking at a Sport 160 suggests you already know it’s the best S1 Elise produced by Lotus. 

If you’re less familiar, here’s some more info…

Designed as a faster, more raw, track-focussed road car

Where the base 118 bhp cars run out of puff at higher revs, these just keep pulling and pulling

Only made for a short period in the year 2000.

The first 50 were SVA (Single Vehicle type Approval) cars. The next 269 were WVTA (Whole Vehicle Type Approval).

I believe there are two key differences:

1. It’s hard to export an SVA car. WVTA is much easier
2. The WVTA cars left the factory with 150bhp and some instructions to follow to get the full 160bhp. More info in this Lotus doc.

There are only 117 of the original 319 Sport 160s left in the UK (source: howmanyleft.co.uk)

My car

This is my fourth S1 Elise – they get under your skin!

I bought it just over a year ago and have spent over £5,000 bringing the suspension, interior and paint up to scratch. Receipts included in the sale.

I’m only selling because I need something a bit more practical

Registered 1st September 2000 and is therefore a WVTA car. Will be 25 years old this year.

It is a “full fat” car. It was ordered with LSS sports suspension (no longer fitted, but included in a box) and the lovely, unique sports seats. Both items were optional equipment from July 2000

The second airbox was removed and a stainless steel sports exhaust fitted when it was delivered as per factory instructions to get the full 160bhp

Still has the original ECU, so retains the characteristic lumpy idle

Never crashed/damaged/repaired

Just under 44,400 miles

Has been serviced 16 times

Ride and handling: 9/10

Upgraded in June 2024

Nitron NTR40s (not to be confused with lesser Street Series) fitted with fast-road friendly spring rates (325 front, 400 rear) and Guglielmi Motorsport spec valves

Eliseparts toe links (original toes links are prone to failure)

Ride height set to 105mm front, 115 rear. Factory spec is 100/110, but extra 5mm added to maximise usability 

Geometry set up by Steve Guglielmi

4 x new Yokohama Advan Neova AD08RS tyres all with more than 6mm of tread left now

Mintex 1144 pads all round

All suspension pickup points are in good condition

Handling is sublime

Interior: 9/10

Refurbished in May 2024

Seats and steering wheel centre retrimmed by Allon White

Steering wheel leather also retrimmed

Anodised aluminium tub cleaned with magic sponges and Swarfega

Footwells are in great condition. Breathable mats

Sill protectors in great condition 

Mechanical: 9/10

Rust-prone bobbins are in good condition

New aluminium radiator and fan (March 2024)

New Borg & Beck alternator (Nov 2024)

New battery (Nov 2024)

Cambelt most recently changed in 2021 so not due again until 2027. 

Bodywork: 8/10

Restored close to its former glory in June 2024

Professional single stage paint correction and 3 year ceramic coating

A few age related marks, but nothing too bad (see Niggles section below)

Soft top is in good condition. The plastic strip at the front hasn’t snapped. Has been restitched at some point

Headlight reflective material is good

Originality 9.5/10

No bling or tat, just three sensible upgrades: Nitron suspension, Eliseparts toe links and aluminium radiator

Original LSS (Lotus Sport Suspension) suspension is also included in a box, in case originality is your thing (one shock leaking)

Service History 9/10

Has been serviced 16 times as documented in two service books and a stack of invoices. Originally supplied by Nick Whale Lotus in Birmingham, serviced nine times by Bell and Colvill, four times by Guglielmi Motorsport, plus three others.

Was stored between 2015 and 2021, then thoroughly recommissioned by Guglielmi Motorsport in September 2021 (including replacement fuel tank, battery, fuel pump, gear bushes, brake fluid, gearbox output seal and temp sensors) and has been serviced twice more since then

Last serviced April 2024 (around 1,500 miles ago)

Cambelt change not due again until September 2027 (following the factory recommended AABAAC schedule)

MOT due 1st August 2025, but I’ll extend to 12 months at time of sale if required. No advisories at the last test.

Niggles 

I hate it when I drive for hours to view a potential purchase only to find loads of issues/imperfections not mentioned in the advert, so in the spirit of complete honesty, here are a few minor things I’d make perfect if I was keeping the car. These are already reflected in the price.

1. Door window waist seals bubbling. Replacements cost < £100, plus some scuffed knuckles to fit. See photo
2. Driving light glass is a bit cloudy. Might polish, otherwise replace
3. The underside of the front clam has some scrapes/scratches (not surprising due to the low ride height from the factory). Not visible unless you crawl underneath
4. There are a few pimples in the paint on the engine lid and the top, inside edge of the doors. See photos
5. One of the wheels has a 1” kerb surface scrape and the others have one or two very small (2mm?) nicks in the lacquer. They’re not perfect, but (imho) they’re not bad enough to need refurbishing either. One centrecap has faded. See photos

Comes with two sets of keys

Private plate will be removed – will revert to original reg X219 KON

Any inspection is welcome.

More photos here

Comparable cars for sale

Blue, 58k miles, £28,995 – higher miles, less desirable colour (imho), dealer warranty, asking price (not sale price)

Silver, 48k miles, £31,900 – private seller, car is in Germany!

Recently sold

Black, 57k miles, £24,592  (inc buyer’s fee) – sold in April 2024, SVA so smaller market, higher miles, new engine block?! tired interior, only 10 services