My new toy: Lotus Elise S1 111S

[Sam@NP]

Hi,

As you know I've been looking for a new car for a while now, I wanted something fun, trackable and fairly depreciation proof. The shortlist was ever changing but I settled on this. Its a 1999 Lotus Elise S1 111S

The car has the most amazing service history ranging from pictures of it on the production line to pictures of the engine being striped and rebuild for the Head Gasket change. All MOTs, invoiced stamps and email conversations to the specialist doing the work and the engine machinist and builder.

This car has a few tweaks and they are:

Port and Polished head
S2 Exhaust manifold
Sport Cat and exhaust
S2 Bilstien suspension
Pro alloy radiator
various little styling bits and bobs
Rota wheels which I'm not fully decided on yet.

I also came with an original Lotus hard top, convertible roof and rain cover and new cushions for the Corbeau seats.

The pictures are w**k and don't do it justice but it has had a full professional detail and it is spotless. I love it.

 

[Stefan.]

Cool cars

 

[Mar172]

Very nice

 

[George182]

I have been half heartedly looking for an s1 for a while now - this looks awesome.

 

[withoutabix]

Very nice Sam bet it's a riot to drive! What power is it running around 140 standard I believe?

 

[Sam@NP]

Cheers guys, Neil I suspect it will be around 160bhp but I need to ask someone who knows more about. It will be dyno'd at some point

 

[JAMason]

I love it! I want one of these so bad! A good friend of mine just got an S2... 111s I think it is! It's not as sexy or cool as the S1! I love the S1, there is something seriously special about the shape and style.

 

[Matt W]

Nice!
Depreciation free motoring.

 

[jamier27]

Looks great and purposeful!

 

[Keith185]

That looks lovely and very well looked after

 

[Ash']

Would love a go in one of these, great buy.

 

[Connor19]

Awesome! Love these things

 

[...]

Sam its about 150 to 160bhp , the vvc is one of the nicest of the k engines to drive ,
has it had the work done on the passanger and drivers footwells ?
i would look for a set of sport 160 wheels if you can find em and the 160 spacer blocks for the rear wing

our azure blue 111s

 

[Meek_racing]

Some white Speedline 2118's will look nice on it Sam

 

[Sam@NP]

Sam its about 150 to 160bhp , the vvc is one of the nicest of the k engines to drive ,
has it had the work done on the passanger and drivers footwells ?
i would look for a set of sport 160 wheels if you can find em and the 160 spacer blocks for the rear wing

Good to hear the footwells are very clean with no corrosion but they are original, the wishbones have been powder coated too.
I love a set of 160 wheel but they are around £800
I'm going to fit a snap off wheel and lift the steering collumn up by removing the spacers. Took it to tesco earlier and its so much fun! It is currently on T1Rs so first job is binning those off.

 

[...]

bin the tyres and i will ask hazel mg dot over on seloc (aka the wife) whats current choice on tyres , the floor mod is free from lotus but not sure what the current status is but dont leave the dimpled black poly floor down as thats the main culprit

 

[Sam@NP]

bin the tyres and i will ask hazel mg dot over on seloc (aka the wife) whats current choice on tyres , the floor mod is free from lotus but not sure what the current status is but dont leave the dimpled black poly floor down as thats the main culprit

I was thinking of some Avon ZZRs as used by Lotus on Track roughly £500 a set I think but I will certainly be interested in what suggestions people have. The dimpled poly sheet was binned off years ago.

What exactly is the floor mod by lotus, do they bond a new panel in?

 

[...]

yes new panel bonded in

http://www.hazelnet.org/corrosion/index.htm

from the wifes website , and dig around everything you need to know on s1's there

 

[Gally]

Samuel. That is utterly epic. I'm a massive S1 fan after being out in one years ago! So much fun when set up properly!

You've also bought one that looks proper. The black all round modernises it in a hardcore way. Other S1s can look dated. Very jealous.

 

[daveski]

Lovely car. Also jealous, would love an Elise

 

[cat171]

Very nice. I like the Rota's on it.

 

[Bluebeard]

Very nice. I like the Rota's on it.

This.

Looks bloody lovely!

 

[Sam@NP]

I have been half heartedly looking for an s1 for a while now - this looks awesome.

Do the research and buy on condition but the research is key.

Samuel. That is utterly epic. I'm a massive S1 fan after being out in one years ago! So much fun when set up properly!

You've also bought one that looks proper. The black all round modernises it in a hardcore way. Other S1s can look dated. Very jealous.

I was really cautious of buying a car that looked the part as some are looking very ropey and dated now. I considered an S2 but I couldn't stop coming back to this one.

Thanks for the comments lads, just took it out for a blast and my smile is huge the noise is just epic.

 

[Tony Hunter]

Much better than a r26r type thing.

 

[Coops Mk1]

lovely looking little thing, there was one at Bedford on Monday, red and from the sound of it cammed up to the eyeballs!lol!

 

[Heez]

That looks fantastic! Very purposeful on the Rotas IMO.

 

[...]

lovely looking little thing, there was one at Bedford on Monday, red and from the sound of it cammed up to the eyeballs!lol!

if it was at idle they all sound heavily cammed even when not overly , sport 160's are the worst

 

[BigDaveRotary]

So awesome. Massive props pal.

On a side note, what an odd place to mount the antenna!

 

[...]

what an odd place to mount the antenna!

But then think about 2 things , the car is made of fibreglass so little opertunity to ground it other than to the main metal structure in the engine bay , and err they have no roof , ?

 

[Tony Hunter]

 

[Sam@NP]

But then think about 2 things , the car is made of fibreglass so little opertunity to ground it other than to the main metal structure in the engine bay , and err they have no roof , ?

Harv do the earths run to the steal rear subframe?

 

[Coops Mk1]

if it was at idle they all sound heavily cammed even when not overly , sport 160's are the worst

This was throttle bodied and cammed believe me. It would hardly idle at all and was spitting flames all day

 

[Daz.]

Love that!

 

[...]

Harv do the earths run to the steal rear subframe?

i cant remember where but i have the complete workshop manual from lotus , i have pdf i will ping you , pm me a mail address

 

[Cub.]

Looks lovely, nice purchase.

I assume I'll see it at Llandow

 

[Sam@NP]

Ha, we'll see how funds go needs tyres first. Can't wait to explore its chassis though....

 

[Ali]

I'm also a bit S1 fan...For me an S1 Exige would be the ultimate track car!

 

[Pearcy]

Needs a s/c'd honda oh and nitrons.

 

[Sam@NP]

Needs a s/c'd honda oh and nitrons.

Nitrons are certainly on my radar

 

[Pearcy]

Haha good stuff epic epic cars!