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Code named M100 during its development, the 1980’s Elan was conceived as an everyday sports car. The development investment being considerably stepped up upon GM taking control in 1986. The acquisition of Lotus by GM was a strategic move, using Lotus as a development consultant to help grow its expertise on front-wheel drive technology.
In case of the Elan, the developers excelled in this area, the innovative compliance raft (interactive wishbones) resulted in permitting movement fore and aft but not side to side, virtually eliminating driveline shunt and torque steer.
Powered by the 1.6 Isuzu twin-cam, 16V engine modified by Lotus including an intercooled IHI turbo producing 163BHP. The engine is strikingly lag free with boost coming in progressively from around 3000 RPM. Unlike many turbocharged engines, there’s a reward for reaching the top of its rev range, supplying a last rush of accelerative effort.
The results in this front wheel drive set up spoke volumes in early road tests with Autocar infamously declaring it the ‘fastest car from A to B’ This conclusion was echoed throughout the motoring world at the time.
Supplied new in December 1990 by Bell and Colvill, West Horsley to its first owner, a lady residing in Putney. Finished in Frost Silver with optional leather in grey with yellow stripe. The additional option of grey carpets was also added to the specification.
During the following 10 years, Bell & Colvill attended to all the servicing requirements with the dates and mileages listed below:
In 2000, the owner moved away from Putney to Dorchester and the car was serviced in August 2001 at 34426 miles by Lotus Dealer Hayden Cars in Wiltshire. The car was used very sparingly beyond this point and a further 5 service visits were made to Dorchester Motor Company between 2002 and 2006, the mileage spanning from 35,396 miles to 37,731 miles, on average, every 467 miles.
From 2007 until 2013 the car covered a modest 127 miles but was taken annually for its MOT tests.
In 2014 a difficult decision was made to say goodbye to the Elan and was adopted by a local collector who kept the car for a further 10 years in his collection. It was unused, unregistered and continued to be safely garaged in a dry environment.
In March 2022 Esprit Engineering attended to the following:
Replacement of 4 fuel injectors, fuel pump, fuel filter, fuel regulator, Cambelt, PAS belt, Alternator belt, tyres, refurbished alloys including new centre caps, front callipers. A new advisory free MOT was subsequently issued.
In March 2024, the 2nd registered keeper bought the car and has enhanced furthermore, attended to the following, to mention a few:
A full driver’s handbook features, original handover documentation, sales brochure and price list. Every pre VOSA MOT certificate and every tax disc issued from 1990 until 2014. Interestingly, 12 months road tax in 1990 cost £100.
This is quite an example, 2 registered owners only, the first keeping for 24 years, serviced every 2,000 miles on average. Never tracked which in itself is rare for an Elan. It really is a great find.
