Lotus Elise S1 2000 (W) Perfect Project Car

2 Owners from new

I’ve owned my Elise since June 2013, buying it from her first owner after a long search to find one in perfect mechanical condition and with a good service history.  Unfortunately I just haven’t used it as much as I’d hoped, covering only 2,500 miles in 12 years, and only 300 miles in the last 5 years.  I keep hoping I’ll have the time, but have to recognise I won’t, and it sits forlorn in the garage.  I was lucky to get a Civic Type R allocation at the start of 2023, and that has been the fun car of choice (3 kids mean that back seats are important…), so the Elise is just never driven.

Completely original apart from the Bell & Colvill Sports Exhaust and the EPTuning Carbon Air intake.  She had all the extra boxes ticked when new – metallic paint, leather seats, stereo system, driving lamps, luggage nets, carpets.

The perfect project Elise in a very honest condition – I haven’t prepped the car for sale beyond a simple wash and vacuum, and putting a new battery in, so you can see the true condition.

Mechanically in good condition, but requiring a service and cam belt change (last changed 6,000 miles ago, but it was 15 years ago!).  Tyres are in good condition tread wise, but rubber on 3 oldest ones is perishing so should be changed.  Car runs and starts immediately on first turn of the key.  Chassis all in good condition and it has never been in an accident, so no sub-standard repairs to contend with.  Front shocks were replaced 3,000 miles ago.

Interior is in decent condition considering age.  Seats are not perfect, but no serious wear.  Floor is in good condition – Elise carpet installed from new, with floor underneath showing no wear.  Instruments all work well, no issues.  No cracking or damage to the dashboard – car has been covered or in a garage all its life.

Bodywork is what lets the car down.  Paint has chips as you’d expect given mileage, and also osmosis in a number of places.  There is minor cracking on the front clam where it was tapped by someone in the Tesco carpark (it is so low that it is missed by people in their SUVs).  Nothing that can’t be sorted, but you will want to sort it and respray at some point to bring it up to date.

I’ve haven’t driven it with the soft top fitted, and unfortunately whilst I still have the original roof (in reasonable condition!), I can’t find the side bars or stays needed to attach it.  I’ll keep looking, but best to assume they are permanently missing!

This is a car that gives you options:

Service it, put new tyres on and start using it straight away without being precious of the bodywork

Get it up and running now, use it, and plan a full restoration of the bodywork to get everything perfect!

Use it as a base for a restomod of some sort – powerboost via Duratec or Honda and an extreme suspension set-up etc

Total Mileage – 71,548 miles (2,500 in my ownership)

Service History

1st Service, Bell & Colvill, 15/07/00 – 1,274 miles

2nd Service, Bell & Colvill, 28/06/01 – 9,372 miles

3rd Service, Bell & Colvill, 12/10/02 – 18,824 miles

4th Service, Bell & Colvill, 13/09/03 – 25,017 miles

5th Service, Bell & Colvill, 16/05/05 – 36,391 miles

6th Service, Bell & Colvill, 12/05/06 – 44,146 miles

7th Service, Bell & Colvill, 17/01/08 – 52,738 miles

8th Service, Bell & Colvill, 20/12/08 – 58,419 miles

9th Service, Bell & Colvill, 20/05/10 – 65,109 miles + Cambelt

10th Service, Bell & Colvill, 13/10/11 – 68,206 miles

11th Service, Steve Williams Lotus, 05/11/14 – 70,044 miles

MOT History

17th May 2006 @ 44,191 miles

6th November 2007 @ 51,878 miles

23rd December 2008 @ 58,423 miles

29th July 2010 @ 65,023 miles

18th October 2011 @ 68,207 miles

11th May 2013 @ 68,992 miles

10th July 2014 @ 69,852 miles

7th August 2015 @ 70,893 miles

5th September 2016 @ 71,026 miles

21st March 2019 @ 71,115 miles

24th September 2020 @ 71,230 miles

New Cambelt @ 65,109 miles (20th May 2010)

New Front Shock Absorbers @ 68,207 miles (17th October 2011)

4 New Tyres @ ~68,000 miles (2012)

New Headlights @ 71,115 miles (20th March 2019)

New Nearside Rear Tyre @ 71,115 miles (20th March 2019)

New Battery @ 71,548 miles (4th July 2025)

Happy for any inspections and to demonstrate running etc, however I don’t think test drives are advisable considering tyres are perished and no MOT/tax etc.  I’d recommend a trailer or transport to take home, although you could drive at your own risk I suppose!! (I wouldn’t!)

We’re in Gerrards Cross, SL9 just off the M25 & M40 so very easy to access.  Train station is close by (on the London Marylebone to Birmingham line).

Please shout if any questions and I’ll answer as best I can.  Open to offers etc!