1990 Lotus Elan M100

Highlights

• Won as a prize in a Car magazine competition in 1990 and collected from the Lotus factory
• Now back with the original competition winner, who reacquired the car in 2018
• Extensive history file with 22 service stamps in the service book
• Recommissioned June 2026 (including cambelt) by PJS Sports Cars (Lotus specialist) at a cost of £2,880
• Original paint with no lacquer peel

The Appeal

The Lotus Elan M100 was a bold departure for Hethel when it arrived in 1989 - a front-wheel-drive, turbocharged sports car that silenced sceptics with its extraordinary chassis and handling finesse. Praised by the motoring press on launch and still revered today, it remains one of the finest driver's cars of its era.

This particular Elan was won as a prize in a Car magazine competition in 1990 and collected directly from the Lotus factory, where the winner met Lotus chief executive Mike Kimberley and Car magazine editor Gavin Green. After passing through a small number of hands - including a spell with the respected Lotus dealer Bell and Colvill - the car has found its way back to the original competition winner, who re-acquired it in 2018.

The vendor states the original paint presents well with no lacquer peel or significant body damage, and the interior is in good condition for its age with no rips to the seat upholstery. A comprehensive recommissioning service was carried out by PJS Sports Cars in June 2026, including a cambelt change, and the vendor reports the car runs well as a result.

Key Information

• Mileage: 67,002 miles (The main agent service record shows the speedo was replaced on 05/07/94 with a reading of 26,357 miles. Correct mileage is therefore 93,359 miles)
• Country of registration: United Kingdom
• MOT status: valid until 11 June 2027
• Technical specs: 1,588cc inline four-cylinder, five-speed manual
• Paperwork: Owner's manual, original tool kit, two keys, extensive history file with 22 service stamps and many receipts
• Service record Previous owner acquired vehicle on 12/10/2003 and the car was serviced annually with MOT at Frosts Lotus and Rowfant garage until sale in 2018. 14 MOT certificates and 11 mot emission certificates are available from this period

The Detail

• Five registered keepers in total, with the first and current keeper being the same person
• Serviced on schedule at Ryland Birmingham Lotus until 1996, then by Bell and Colvill and SGT specialists until 2002
• Cambelt service carried out in 2018 at 66,580 recorded miles
• Major servicing work at Lakeside Engineering (Lotus specialists) in 2018 at 66,740 recorded miles
• Recommissioning service including cambelt at PJS Sports Cars (Lotus specialist, Burton-on-Trent) in June 2026 at 66,869 recorded miles, costing £2,880
• The vendor tells us that the car runs well following the recent recommissioning work
• Paintwork is in good order
• Pop-up headlights lifting correctly
• Badges and branding all present and correct
• Interior is in good overall order
• No obvious rips or tears to the upholstery
• Instruments are clean and legible
• Dashboard is well-presented
• Aftermarket radio fitted

BEFORE YOU BUY

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