Scottish Elises

"So, What conclusions can we 
draw from this journey through the evolution of the Elise? Well there’s no such thing as a bad one, for starters! Each car here is special in its own right. Different too, with distinct flavours created from a broadly common selection of ingredients.

For sheer brilliance, innovation and a driving experience that remains truly remarkable, the S1 simply can’t be beaten. Part sports car, part science experiment, there’s nothing to touch it for undiluted genius. And while it’s increasingly hard to preach the gospel according to Colin Chapman when most manufacturers are obsessed with feeding you more and more horsepower, what this old Elise achieves with 118bhp is little short of miraculous.

It’s telling that even Lotus found it impossible to resist adding power and grip to the equation. But as long as weight is kept in check and no one element dominates, that’s no bad thing, as the sublime S1 Sport 135 proves so irresistibly. And even when that rare equilibrium is skewed – step forward the bonkers Sport 190 and super-sharp Sports Racer – it merely adds seasoning to cater for more extreme tastes."

I was at North Weald yesterday along with two lovely gents - one in an V6 Exige, the other in an Evora S. Both great cars. None as much fun as Egor. At the end of the day I gave them each a run around the wee test circuit with Egor and they couldn't believe the difference. I was short shifting the whole way (so about 10 changes per 53 second "lap") so as to use minimal power - just to demonstrate that the handling is everything and the power actually takes away from what the car can do. I don't think either of them was really prepared for the difference in handling ... and that's to cars that arguably have great handling in their own right.

There was another car there - a brand new 5L Mustang - (it was unbelievably loud BTW) - but due to some handling issues couldn't complete the day. Anyway, I let the owner have a shot in Egor trying to do the high speed bend (his car wouldn't oversteer in this corner, no matter how you provoked it); He couldn't believe (a) the speed you could carry through the corner, (b) just how much feel and control you have in an Elise. I told him to sell the Mustang and buy an Elise - I bet he will, too!

Long live the wee Elise ... if only it was more comfortable, had working a/c, a radio you could hear whilst driving and an electric roof for the other 360 days of the year

tut wrote:"So, What conclusions can we 
draw from this journey through the evolution of the Elise? Well there’s no such thing as a bad one, for starters! Each car here is special in its own right. Different too, with distinct flavours created from a broadly common selection of ingredients.

For sheer brilliance, innovation and a driving experience that remains truly remarkable, the S1 simply can’t be beaten. Part sports car, part science experiment, there’s nothing to touch it for undiluted genius. And while it’s increasingly hard to preach the gospel according to Colin Chapman when most manufacturers are obsessed with feeding you more and more horsepower, what this old Elise achieves with 118bhp is little short of miraculous.

It’s telling that even Lotus found it impossible to resist adding power and grip to the equation. But as long as weight is kept in check and no one element dominates, that’s no bad thing, as the sublime S1 Sport 135 proves so irresistibly. And even when that rare equilibrium is skewed – step forward the bonkers Sport 190 and super-sharp Sports Racer – it merely adds seasoning to cater for more extreme tastes."

Was that from Evo magazne a few years ago?

Words of wisdom anyway

It was from EVO and probably some time back. I was checking weights so did not see the year.

It just summed up that there will never be an S1 again and what a pleasure it is going back to a good one. With a C/R gearbox though.

tut

Was out paxing with Dom last week and was surprised by how envolving and sensory overloading the S1 is. A real demonstration of performance through light weight.

Even with a std box it's sublime (just don't bother with 5th...)

Out in mine today.

I agree with everything EVO said. And I'm privileged to have tried both Elise and Evora at Walshy Days. Both great in their own way but I agree on the tight handling trial, the Elise is streets ahead

My old S1's up for sale



Looks a bit different now, though...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/272234596326

"VIEWING OF THIS LIGHT DAMAGED ELISE S1 IS WELCOME"

Which Planet did he beam in from?

tut

Wow!

Tub and rear clam ok? Worth it at that money perhaps...

That is so sad.

I assume it's been CAT B, hence the no numbers, not for road use, no v5 etc.

Ok. So just the clam then

I'm sure Craig could have that up an running again in no time.

If it's Cat b then the body shell should be crushed and only spares sold from the car. Shame there are no numbers with the car else it would be worth it.

Mikie711 wrote:If it's Cat b then the body shell should be crushed and only spares sold from the car. Shame there are no numbers with the car else it would be worth it.

It's not clear in the pictures, but if I recall correctly, the OSF chassis wishbone mount was torn - Add in a smashed crash box / bullseyed windscreen, and front / rear clam damage, and it wasn't a viable repair back then (car was worth £7-8k at the time).

Anyway, getting back on topic - I've owned an S1 & S2, and been lucky enough to drive cars belonging to several SE'er's, both on road & track, from boggo standard S1 to a s/c charge cooled K20. My personal sweet spot is an S1, sporting a K series with 150-160bhp-ish from a lightly breathed-on head / cams / induction / exhaust, Nitrons, plus the C/R box with the long 5th kept for cruising.

(Alas, my old car above pretty much fitted the bill...)

After 9 years of being Lotus-less, I suppose I should really pull my finger out and get another

Fluoxetine wrote:
Anyway, getting back on topic - I've owned an S1 & S2, and been lucky enough to drive cars belonging to several SE'er's, both on road & track, from boggo standard S1 to a s/c charge cooled K20. My personal sweet spot is an S1, sporting a K series with 150-160bhp-ish from a lightly breathed-on head / cams / induction / exhaust, Nitrons, plus the C/R box with the long 5th kept for cruising.

(Alas, my old car above pretty much fitted the bill...)

After 9 years of being Lotus-less, I suppose I should really pull my finger out and get another

Agree on all fronts. Now get it sorted