Lotus Elite Series 1 501 1979 original unrestored

Item Features Lotus Elite Series:

	Used: An item that has been previously used. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections. ... Read moreabout the condition	Year:	1979
Mileage:	55,275	MOT Expiry:	10/2017
Manufacturer:	Lotus	Transmission:	Manual
Model:	Elite	Fuel:	Petrol
Doors:	2	Power:	160
Colour:	Red	Seats:	4
Reg. Date:	14/09/1979	Drive Side:	Right-hand drive
Previous Owners:	3

vehicle description:

I’ve owned this Lotus since September 2011 and have reluctantly decided to sell it to fund a kit car project (building a Gardner Douglas T70). It’s an entirely original Series 1 car, with 55,275miles on it, original paint, original interior (apart from the headlining being redone – see below). I bought it as it was the best one I could find and was a 501 (ie no rubbish power steering, feeble air-con or terrible 3-speed auto – less is more on these cars!). In 1979 the Elite was the flagship of the Lotusrange and I adore it’s futuristic wedge styling.
Having been to lots of car shows and Lotusevents, this Series 1 is easily the bets I’ve seen. It’s super rare, too, with only 59 currently taxed according to the How Many Left website (only about 150 on SORN, too).
It’s been incredibly reliable and has been pampered in a weather-sealed warm garage. Whatever it has needed it has had. I bought it with 50,780 miles on it and the engine has never missed a beat. The only issues it has had have been with the fuel pump (now fitted with all-electronic internals in original housing) and the rear brake hose failing (all rear brakes recently renewed with new rear hose).
It drives really well and all my friends who’ve driven it have loved it – it’s very delicate and balanced and there’s a real fluidity to how it corners and the gearbox is precise and accurate. I drove it recently nearby on a sunny day and wondered why I don’t drive it more – it’s a real driver’s car and if you drive it smoothly it’s very rewarding (I just needed some Matt Monro on and it would have been perfect!).
History of it
I’m the fourth owner and bought it off the son of the second owner (the second owner bought it from a Lotus dealer local to him in Shropshire having seen it in the showroom window). It was first registered to the Lotus dealer, then the father, then the son, then me. So all the history is known for the car.
They kept plenty of paperwork with the car and as Lotus enthusiasts only took it out on sunny days and did most of the jobs on it themselves. They even waxoyled it each and every year – so there’s no chassis rust and the original chassis is in perfect condition.
I’d like to sell it to free up garage space for my project, but I don’t have to sell it, so I’d rather it went to the right person that would appreciate and cherish it. I do love the car, so if it doesn’t get a fair price I’ll happily keep it.
I’m not interested in any swaps for any other vehicles and I’d suggest that you inspect and drive it. Any inspection is welcome.
The car will be sold with 12 months MoT and a fresh cambelt fitted.
To arrange to see it (I’m in a village 10 miles to the east of Nottingham) please ring Peter on 07866 634086. I work from home so can be flexible on times.
Specification
2.0-litre 16V Lotus 907 engine developing around 160bhpDellorto twin carbs (recently rebuilt and balanced)Marcasite brown and cream velour interior – delightfully Seventies Tastic!Four seats with three-point seat beltsElectric windows (all working)Electric mirrors (all working, but move back at motorway speeds!)Pop-up headlamps (working)
Recent servicing work and parts
Have lots of history with the car and mounds of receipts. Recent work includes:New headlining (done last week by professional trimmer in as close as possible to original fabric)New Falken tyresRecent rear brake rebuild with new hoses, shoes and cylindersRear wheel bearings were done last yearBoth Dellorto carbs were fully rebuilt and regasketed last year. Have been carefully balanced and refitted with new air filterFront brake calipers were reconditioned a couple of years ago and treated to new discs, pads and hosesCambelt will be renewed when sold (water pump was reconditioned recently and all tensioners renewed)
Sensible Upgrades
To make the car as trouble-free as possible it has the following upgrades. I’ve done the following:
Upgraded three-core radiator from LotusBits with two Pacet Pro fans with individually adjustable fan switch on points (never overheats – even in the queue of traffic at Le Mans!)Halogen headlamp conversion with relay-switched bulbs (UK made headlamps used not Chinese rubbish)Powder-coated original wheels with new old stock centre caps, metal valves and new Lotus logos in centreLumenition upgraded ignition system (fitted by previous owner)SU fuel pump rebuilt with modern all-electronic parts to replace the points system. Looks identical from outside.Original two spoke steering wheel replaced with period-looking Springalex version (have original steering wheel)Inertia reel three-point seat belts fitted – the original car only had rear lap belts (have kept) and I didn’t feel comfortable having my son in it
Picky bits
It has some minor cracking on the body around the hinges, the odd stone chip and the rear wash wiper is missing and has been replaced by grommets (the Series one had a bad design of wiper and the rear hatch flip mechanism would pull the wiper off so most have now been removed).The bodywork isn’t perfect but I’d say it’s 9/10 and it would be a crime to respray it and lose the originality.Boot carpet could do with being renewed together with carpet matsOriginal radio is rubbish and the two speakers (buried in the bottom of the rear seat side pockets) are rubbish. But it’s all original.

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