ELAN SE TURBO - THE ACTUAL 1989 EARL'S COURT MOTOR FAIR LAUNCH CAR. HUGE HISTORY

A historically important Lotus as this was the actual vehicle that was unveiled by Lotus CEO. Mike Kimberley. at the 1989 Earls Court British Motor Fair. heralding the arrival of the iconic. ground breaking Lotus Elan. that was to rewrite the rulebook for front wheel drive ride and handling for the next two decades. It is also the oldest surviving pre-production prototype.

The Motor Fair stand in 1989 featured an all silver display of the Lotus Esprit. Lotus Excel and two examples of the brand new Lotus Elan SE. This one. PP14 (pre-production 14). took centre stage on a revolving turntable whilst its' sister. PP15. formed a static floor display. The extensive document file includes significant internal communication between Peter Riddle. Lotus Cars' Product Planning Manager. and other senior team members including the aforementioned CEO. Mike Kimberley. in the run up to the launch.

Being a pre-production model. PP14 includes many features that didn't make it through to the production cars and offers a fascinating insight into the early development of the car. One feature that did make it to production but only for a short while are the double flip “opera glass” headlamps which are still present and working perfectly!

Accompanying the vehicle is a substantial portfolio of paperwork via which a very accurate picture of the vehicles' history can be drawn. Subsequent to its' Motor Fair role (followed by the Scottish Motor Show in Glasgow). the vehicle stayed with Lotus for nearly two years until being sold to employee Peter Minchin who kept it for five years. The last owner acquired the vehicle in October 2011 but during his ownership it remained virtually unused. Since coming in to my care. PP14 has. therefore. been subject to a programme of improvement. enabling the vehicle to be MOT'd for the first time in five years.

Work undertaken includes improvement of some of the electrical functions. adjusting various pre-production panel fits. replacement of brake and suspension components as necessary and a general health check to a good MOT standard. The resulting vehicle is very much a usable classic that will be a worthy addition to any classic car event. Current recorded mileage is 54300 and the MOT certificate displays no advisory items. The wheels and tyres are in very good condition with the wheels having recently been properly refinished. A new battery has also been fitted.

PP14 has a replacement roof and the seats have been retrimmed to a factory standard and specification and. of course. to the same colours as when it was displayed at Earls Court. Early car features such as the Perspex rear number plate cover and the aforementioned headlamps are still present along with some significant differences to the eventual production specification.

Included within the history file is every MOT certificate. a CD with various videos featuring the car (including BBC Top Gear with Chris Goffey and William Woollard). communication documents between senior Lotus employees relating to its' display duties and substantial service information acquired over the years.

The vehicle is well known within Lotus circles and its' provenance is beyond doubt and undisputed.

PP14 is such an early car that it is. in common with a number of the initial build vehicles. registered under the codename Zante that was used prior to the announcement regarding the reintroduction of the Elan name.

In conclusion. PP14 is a worthy addition to any collection and is assured of a secure place in Lotus history.

LOCATED JUST 90 MINUTES FROM LONDON LIVERPOOL STREET. COLLECTION FROM DISS RAILWAY STATION IS ALWAYS A PLEASURE.

For further information and to arrange a viewing at any time including evenings and weekends. please call 01379 677177 or 07718 385168.

BUY WITH CONFIDENCE – GUY MUNDAY HAS OVER TWENTY FIVE YEARS OF LOTUS EXPERIENCE.

Many thanks for looking!

Also published at eBay.co.uk

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