Lotus Elise 1.8 Convertible 2dr Petrol Manual (168 g/km, 118 bhp)

SPORT 190 | 1 OF 48

Cult Automotive is delighted to present the unicorn of Elise S1 models, a genuine Lotus Motorsport 190, 1 of only 48 worldwide examples, with just 16,000 miles from new.

Hand built by Lotus Special Vehicle Operations, these cars were intended for competition use and this example bears the correct motorsport chassis number. There were just 48 examples produced worldwide converted, with this one supplied originally by Bell & Colvill, being just 1 of 7 created for the UK market. With a dry weight of just 670kg and 215bhp courtesy of the VHPD (Very High-Performance Derivative) further fettled and improved by Minister, this is a different animal to a regular Elise.

All Sport 190s were fitted with an upgraded close-ratio gearbox, numerous chassis improvements, AP Racing front callipers with cross-drilled ventilated discs, spring and damper upgrades, a fire extinguisher and battery cut-off switch, a removable steering wheel, racing bucket seats, a roll-cage, a lightweight polycarbonate rear screen, and a lightweight filler cap – all helping to reduce weight by almost 100kg. Besides the engine improvements, the car comes with Nitron 46 Race Pro dampers and a B&C exhaust backbox, whilst all original items have been retained (a set of barely-used KONI Sport dampers in their box, the original backbox and the MEMS ECU). It is accompanied by a history file with old invoices, MOTs and has its Certificate of Newness and original SVA paperwork.

The Sport 190, as with all motorsport-edition cars, was highly customisable - this car has all of the safety systems (electrical cut-offs/fire suppression), motorsport seats/harness set, T45 hoop with petty bar, and magnesium wheels (all fully road legal).

This is an extremely rare car with interesting provenance and is remarkably versatile, being comfortable on both road and track with some serious performance available. We don’t know when an opportunity to buy a Lotus like this will come around again. For US buyers, this car is now over 25 years old.

Ready for its next custodian, the Elise is being serviced and prepared by John Danby Racing in Colchester, Essex – the same John Danby who run the Lotus Motorsport programme in period.

For any questions, please don't hesitate to contact the team on 01580 472 911 by phone or WhatsApp.

Please note, the specification for this vehicle includes automatically generated elements. If any of the specification is crucial to your purchase, please confirm with us beforehand.