In Brief:

• One of the best examples of an M100 generation Elan we have seen
• Finished in Pacific Blue metallic with a Black soft top over a Black half leather interior with patterned cloth inserts
• Owned by The Vendor for the last 14 years
• Genuine 49,182 miles from new
• Great history file including full service history

Auctioneer's Notes:

A near immaculate example of the M100-generation Lotus Elan SE Turbo, presented in a particularly attractive colour combination and showing a genuine 49,182 miles from new. Finished in Pacific Blue metallic with a Black soft top over a Black half leather interior with patterned cloth inserts, the car presents as a smart and well-preserved example of Lotus' highly accomplished early-1990s sports car. Owned by The Vendor for the last 14 years, this example benefits from long-term ownership, low mileage and a strong accompanying history file. With its distinctive styling, turbocharged performance and famously capable chassis, the Elan M100 remains one of the most technically interesting Lotus road cars of its era.

Maintenance & Condition:

The car presents to a very high standard throughout and has evidently been carefully maintained during its life. Its recorded mileage of 49,182 miles is supported by the accompanying service history, invoices and extensive collection of MOT certificates. The original Lotus Owner's Handbook records 12 service stamps between 1992 at 3,292 miles and 2015 at 43,475 miles. Further servicing is documented through invoices from local garage, Norman Motors, covering work carried out between 2017 at 43,981 miles and 2025 at 45,805 miles, helping to demonstrate continued maintenance during The Vendor's ownership. The overall presentation, low mileage and comprehensive supporting paperwork combine to make this a particularly appealing example.

History:

Accompanied by a good level of historical documentation, including the original Lotus Owner's Handbook containing 12 service stamps. The file also includes invoices from local garage Norman Motors for servicing carried out between 2017 and 2025, together with MOT certificates dating back to 1994. Of particular interest is a purchase invoice from May 1995, recording the car's sale to a Mr John Goodyear for £19,995. A substantial collection of further invoices covers servicing, MOTs, replacement parts and general maintenance, with expenditure recorded at almost £10,000. Taken together, the documentation provides useful support for the car's low mileage and paints a strong picture of continued care over its lifetime.

The Model:

Introduced in 1989, the Lotus Elan M100 represented a radical departure for the marque, most notably through its adoption of front-wheel drive. Developed during Lotus' period under General Motors ownership, the M100 was engineered with a considerable development budget and styled by Peter Stevens, who would later become closely associated with the McLaren F1. Power in the SE Turbo came from a 1,588cc 16-valve DOHC four-cylinder engine, originally sourced from Isuzu but extensively developed by Lotus and paired with an IHI turbocharger. Producing approximately 165bhp, it delivered strong performance through a five-speed manual gearbox, with contemporary figures quoting 0-60mph in around 6.5 seconds and a top speed of approximately 137mph. One of the car's most notable engineering features was its sophisticated front suspension arrangement, sometimes referred to as the "compliance raft", designed to maintain accurate wheel geometry under acceleration and braking while minimising many of the traditional drawbacks associated with powerful front-wheel-drive cars. Combined with a rigid steel backbone chassis and lightweight composite bodywork, the result was exceptional levels of grip, steering accuracy and confidence-inspiring handling. The SE Turbo was the most desirable mainstream M100 specification, adding turbocharged performance together with equipment including power steering and upgraded trim. Today, the M100 is increasingly appreciated as an innovative and technically accomplished chapter in Lotus history.

Sale Insight:

With just 49,182 miles from new, 14 years of current ownership and an unusually comprehensive history file, this is an especially attractive example of the Lotus Elan SE Turbo. Its Pacific Blue metallic finish suits the M100 particularly well, while the combination of documented servicing, extensive MOT history and almost £10,000 worth of maintenance invoices adds considerable reassurance. Long overlooked in comparison with earlier rear-wheel-drive Lotus models, the M100 is increasingly recognised for the quality of its engineering and remarkable real-world handling ability. A highly presentable, low-mileage example of an increasingly appreciated modern classic Lotus.

Estimate:
£5,000 - £6,000