1990 Lotus Elan M100 SE Turbo (Project Car)
HIGHLIGHTS
- Restoration project M100 Elan
- Low mileage, believed to be genuine
- Original condition and complete
THE APPEAL
Lotus returned to past glories with the launch of the M100 Elan in 1989. Under the ownership of General Motors, the Norfolk-based sports car manufacturer set about developing a new, small and affordable sports car to sit below the Esprit and Excel, but with an entirely new powertrain and, for the first time in the company’s history, front-wheel-drive.
Power would come from a 1.6-litre turbocharged Isuzu engine but some traditional Lotus traits would remain – notably a steel backbone chassis and fibreglass bodywork, with a delicate sports car body designed by Esprit stylist Peter Stevens.
Given the Type number 100 and the project name during development of M100, the Elan went on sale in 1989. Feedback from the media was initially positive and pent-up demand meant more than 1,200 had been sold by the end of 1990, while the car picked up a prestigious award from the Design Council.
But it was not a commercial success, with only 3,855 cars sold between 1989 and 1992, followed by a further 800 of the Elan S2, which was introduced in 1994. The car was also obscurely sold as a Kia from 1995 to 1999 for the Korean market only, after Lotus sold the production rights.
A fascinating car with an equally engaging history, the M100 is now starting to attract the attentions of collectors thanks to its rarity and quirkiness.
This one is an early car, dating from 1990, and comes with the cherished registration shown in the picture. The vendor acquired it from a deceased estate and the car has been parked up for over six years. The upper body appears sound and It has plenty of potential, but will require some restoration work. It starts and the engine runs, but issue with the brakes and power steering mean you won’t be driving it away, while it will also need welded repairs to both sills and both front door hinge areas.
It's all there, though, and has the potential to become a really good car again – ideal for a classic car specialist to restore and sell on, a private restoration or even as a vital set of parts to keep other Elan M100s motoring.
THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK
- UK V5C
- Last MOT’d in 2018
- Cherished registration number included in sale
- Mileage believed genuine but with no history to back it up, other than MOT records back to 2006 showing minimal use
THE CONDITION
- Calypso Red paint – smart enough overall but with a few areas requiring localised repair
- Original alloy wheels in good order
- Decent roof with good fabric, folding mechanism works as it ought to
- Two-tone leather interior, some pieces of trim are loose and it would benefit from a deep clan but the seats are free of major damage and have no rips or tears
- Period Pioneer CD stereo
- Both sills will require replacement or repair, inner and outer
- Rust also apparent at the bottom of front A-pillars
- Both front door hinge areas will require attention – door hinges have dropped and doors are difficult to open
- Bear in mind that altho9ugh complete and outwardly presentable, the car is sold as a project, which would be perfect for restoration or even as a source of parts to keep other M100s on the road
THE MECHANICS
- 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder GM-Isuzu engine
- Five-speed manual transmission
- No service records
- Fires up easily and has a new battery fitted
- Leak from power steering pump
- Brakes will need freeing off
- Goes into gear and moves forwards and backwards
- Requires sill repairs and recommissioning but does run
BEFORE YOU BUY
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Vehicle specification
- Year 1900
- Make Lotus
- Model Elan
- Colour Red
- Odometer 27,294 Miles
- Engine size 1588
Listing Details
- Seller type Trade
- Town Norwich
- Location Norfolk
- Country United Kingdom
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