Restored Elise S1 with KR1 upgrade + lots more

This is one of those opportunities that doesn’t present itself very often. A very well sorted Lotus Elise Series 1, one of the most rewarding lightweight analog sports cars of its time, with sensible mileage, in a unique and vibrant colour (Lizard Green). This standout example has been meticulously restored, including over £20k spent on fresh paint and thoughtful performance-focussed upgrades in the last 1500 miles, and is ready for summer drives or spirited track days alike.

Before you read on – a word on price. There will undoubtedly be other examples at a lower price point, but a ‘cheap’ and unrestored S1 is a serious undertaking that will cost several thousand (often well over 50% of the purchase price), even to restore to anywhere near its full glory, let alone upgrade and optimise.

It’s important to remember that these cars are now approaching 30 years old; regular maintenance is one thing – a proper (and often much needed) restoration is another thing entirely.

It would cost around £45k to buy a base S1 with similar mileage, and restore/upgrade it to this level.

Background and Restoration

I’m in my third decade of Elise S1 ownership, and have extensive knowledge and experience of this iconic car.

The quality of my work and my relentless approach is well known in the Lotus community and my Elises have featured in 3 different automotive magazines, most recently in a 3 part series. I’ve undertaken extensive restoration work on no less than 7 S1’s over the years. Each and every one has had a serious amount of time and attention – this one is no exception.

The substantial money and time invested in this car covers every area – exterior paint, engine, gearbox, cooling, suspension, brakes, fuel system, interior and lots, lots more. The specification list below isn’t exhaustive – and I have lots of additional photos of the restoration work and upgrades which can be supplied on request.

Engine & Gearbox

Originally a 1997 ‘standard’ Elise with 118bhp, a previous owner made a great decision in 2015 to upgrade the engine and gearbox at 57,000 miles to elevate the car to another level. The cylinder head was upgraded to a Sabreheads ‘KR1’ – Roger Fabry ‘Kiwirog’ is one of the finest K series engine builders on the planet; some say the KR1 is even better than the equivalent Dave Andrews (DVA) upgrade due to the larger inlet valves used. With Piper 633 cams, Piper Vernier cam pulleys, a 52mm throttle body and the Eliseparts stepped bore 4-2-1 exhaust manifold (£980 alone!), the car pulls tremendously well, with a much greater urgency to the drive.

Coupled with the close ratio (B4BP) gearbox and lightened flywheel, as expected the car is massively different to a standard Elise, but with the same exceptional feedback and road manners. I have owned several Elise S1 and S2 models – 111S, Sport 160, S2 Sport 190, and this one certainly beats them all when it comes to mid-range torque and all-round performance. Similar specification S1’s have made around 160bhp and 140+ Ibs/ft on the dyno, which is a significant increase over standard.

New engine mounts and other engine parts have also been upgraded or replaced – please see the full specification below.

Exterior

Originally ‘New Aluminium’ silver, around 1500 miles ago the car was treated to professional respray in ‘Lizard Green’ – a Porsche 992 GT3 RS colour. Clamshells, doors, bonnet and boot were removed and the result is a fresh, vibrant, first class paint finish. I can confidently say that the car is unique – the only Elise S1 painted in this colour.

Suntek self-healing PPF has subsequently been professionally applied to the front clam and bonnet areas, so it is protected for years to come.

The very desirable ‘Victory’ wheels, originally fitted only to Sport 160 models, have been professionally refurbished to the original grey colour. The rare and sought after smoked front indicator lenses are also fitted, together with new headlamp covers, brand new door waist seals and rear grilles.

The car also benefits from a new windscreen, so there are no unsightly chips.

Interior

The interior is in excellent condition and benefits from the full carpet set, original S1 black leather seats in excellent order with refurbished seat frames, brand new Eliseparts leather sill covers, additional sound deadening under and behind the seats, and also upgraded audio with DAB and Bluetooth. The gear and handbrake covers were professionally painted in matching Lizard Green.

Suspension

The car benefits from a full suspension refresh. Full details are in the specification below, highlights include fully stripped and recoated wishbones with spherical bearings, Spitfire toe links, and Nitron dampers. The handling is dialled in, and feels tight and responsive on twisty roads.

History

The car has a large history file including MOT certificates and lots of invoices for servicing and upgrades alike. Two keys and the full book pack are also included.

Recent servicing & MOT

Comprehensive maintenance was undertaken just 900 miles ago last year, including cambelt and tensioner change, new alternator belt, oil & filter change, full coolant drain and flush (replenished with Millers OAT), brake & clutch fluid change, plus a new fuel filter and air filter clean. Spark plugs were changed only 500 miles earlier, for top quality NGK-R items. A new Bosch ignition coil and HT leads have also been fitted.

Furthermore, the steering column was replaced in 2024 due to the detection of very slight play within the upper column, and the resulting steering feel and response is direct and fabulous, as it should be. The clutch pedal bush was also replaced with a new trunnion and bush kit from Eliseparts, giving a silky smooth clutch pedal.

The MOT is valid until September 2025.

Specification
(EP = Eliseparts)
 
Engine
Sabreheads KR1 upgrade (160bhp – ported & gas flowed cylinder head with larger inlet valves)
Piper 633 camshafts
Piper Vernier cam pulleys
52mm throttle body
Mocal laminova oil cooler
Remote thermostat for oil cooler
New EP Adjustable lower engine mount & bracket
New EP Engine mount & powder coated assembly/brackets
NGK-R spark plugs
New Ignition coil and HT leads
New Distributor cap & rotor arm
 
Gearbox & Linkage
B4BP Close ratio gearbox (as per 111S)
EP Lightened Flywheel
Fuchs Race Syn Gearbox oil
AP Clutch
EP Clutch slave cylinder support
EP Clutch trunnion & bushes
Nylatron gear linkage bushes
Rose jointed cross gate linkage
New gearstick cross gate pivot bush
Powder coated gear linkage brackets
 
Exhaust
EP 4-2-1 stepped bore manifold
Stainless Sports exhaust
New Nimbus heat shield
New Lambda sensor socket
New Lambda O2 sensor
 
Suspension
Full refresh – wishbones stripped, blasted & recoated
New EP Spherical wishbone bearings
New ball joints, track rod ends, drop links, bolts, castor shims
Nitron Dampers
Spitfire Toe links
Adjustable Anti roll bar
New EP front and rear upper damper brackets
New EP rear wishbone mounting brackets
Front wishbone support kit (Type 116 Motorsport)
 
Brakes
Refurbished calipers all round
Pagid discs
Braided hoses
Mintex 1155 front pads / Mintex 1144 rear pads
New rear fixed brake lines (rear bulkhead to calipers)
New front brake line (passenger side)
New handbrake cable
New rear brake pins & springs
New front brake pins & plates
 
Fuel system
Proalloy Anti surge fuel tank (48L)
Spitfire fuel pump
New fuel filter
 
Interior
Black leather seats – superb condition
Seat frames/runners refurbished
New EP Leather sill covers
Full carpet set
Angled rear window (OEM, later style)
New Stack glass (Perspex, later style – won’t crack or delaminate)
New steering column
New wiper and indicator stalks
Extra NVH sound deadening under and behind seats

Exterior
Full professional respray in Lizard Green (1500 miles ago)
Suntek PPF to front clam, bonnet and sills inside doors
Victory wheels (as per Sport 160)
Smoked indicators (as per Sport 160 / 111S)
New windscreen
New door waist seals
New EP headlamp covers
New EP rear grilles, Powder coated front grille
 
Underside
EP Large ducted rear undertray
2 x Additional rear jacking points
NVH sound deadening on shear panel
Stainless undertray & diffuser fixings
 
Cooling & Heating
Alloy radiator
Fully refurbished heater assembly with new heater matrix & resistor pack
New Roose silicone heater hoses
New fan blower adapter & stainless ducting
 
Other
New Driving light brackets with stainless springs & fixings
New EP Improved throttle linkage
New EP Black stainless tow mount
New EP Wheel nuts
New EP Wiper arm & blade
New upgraded door hinge spring plates
New washer pump
New driveshaft hub nuts (2)
New steering rack gaitors
New speed sensor
New battery (Bosch)