{"id":3813,"date":"2023-01-30T06:09:39","date_gmt":"2023-01-30T06:09:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/?p=3813"},"modified":"2023-03-16T06:41:59","modified_gmt":"2023-03-16T13:41:59","slug":"why-the-lotus-elise-series-1-is-the-vintage-british-racer-you-didnt-know-you-need","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/general\/why-the-lotus-elise-series-1-is-the-vintage-british-racer-you-didnt-know-you-need\/","title":{"rendered":"Why the Lotus Elise Series 1 is the Vintage British Racer You Didn\u2019t Know You Need"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Let\u2019s take a little trip back in time. The year is 1995, and the location is the Frankfurt Motor Show. On display is the Lotus Elise Series 1. It looks every bit like a classic 1960\u2019s Lotus, minute in design and incredibly lightweight, and it lacks the hefty price tag of similar 90\u2019s racetrack-oriented cars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But how does the Series 1 stack up several decades later? As it turns out, the Lotus Elise Series 1 is the vintage British racer you didn\u2019t know you wanted \u2013 and here\u2019s why.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Orange-Lotus-Elise-Series-1-1.jpg\" alt=\"Orange Lotus Elise Series 1\" class=\"wp-image-4784\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Orange-Lotus-Elise-Series-1-1.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Orange-Lotus-Elise-Series-1-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Orange-Lotus-Elise-Series-1-1-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Image Editorial credit: TinoFotografie \/ <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shutterstock.com\/image-photo\/bibbianoreggio-emilia-italy-07-15-2015-2256086181\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Shutterstock.com<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_71 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-light-blue ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\"><p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Contents<\/p>\n<\/div><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/general\/why-the-lotus-elise-series-1-is-the-vintage-british-racer-you-didnt-know-you-need\/#A_Quick_and_Spirited_Acceleration\" title=\"A Quick and Spirited Acceleration\">A Quick and Spirited Acceleration<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/general\/why-the-lotus-elise-series-1-is-the-vintage-british-racer-you-didnt-know-you-need\/#Everything_is_Lightweight_%E2%80%93_Even_the_Brakes\" title=\"Everything is Lightweight \u2013 Even the Brakes\">Everything is Lightweight \u2013 Even the Brakes<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/general\/why-the-lotus-elise-series-1-is-the-vintage-british-racer-you-didnt-know-you-need\/#The_1998_Elise_Sport_135s_Unique_Design\" title=\"The 1998 Elise Sport 135\u2019s Unique Design\">The 1998 Elise Sport 135\u2019s Unique Design<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/general\/why-the-lotus-elise-series-1-is-the-vintage-british-racer-you-didnt-know-you-need\/#A_Sensible_Layout\" title=\"A Sensible Layout\">A Sensible Layout<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/general\/why-the-lotus-elise-series-1-is-the-vintage-british-racer-you-didnt-know-you-need\/#An_Impressive_Amount_of_Feedback\" title=\"An Impressive Amount of Feedback\">An Impressive Amount of Feedback<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Quick_and_Spirited_Acceleration\"><\/span>A Quick and Spirited Acceleration<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Under the hood of the Series 1 came a 1.8-liter Rover K Series, a lightweight engine that put forth a mere 118 bph and 122 lb-ft of torque. Surprisingly, though, this small engine was able to get the Lotus from 0-60 mph in just <a href=\"https:\/\/www.roadandtrack.com\/reviews\/a35099578\/1995-lotus-elise-s1-first-drive-review\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">5.8 seconds<\/a>. For the mid-90\u2019s, this was an incredible showing. Even by today\u2019s standards, this is a relatively quick time, especially for such a small engine as the Rover K Series.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Everything_is_Lightweight_%E2%80%93_Even_the_Brakes\"><\/span>Everything is Lightweight \u2013 Even the Brakes<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Absolutely everything about the Series 1 is lightweight, from the body to the brakes. This Lotus utilized <a href=\"https:\/\/www.evo.co.uk\/lotus\/elise\/6238\/lotus-elise-s1-review-specs-and-buying-guide\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Metal Matric Composite (MMC) aluminum disc brakes<\/a> that not only cut down on weight but beefed up the braking power.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Lotus-Elise-Series-1-1.jpg\" alt=\"Lotus Elise Series 1 \" class=\"wp-image-4786\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Lotus-Elise-Series-1-1.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Lotus-Elise-Series-1-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Lotus-Elise-Series-1-1-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Image Editorial credit: WildSnap \/ <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shutterstock.com\/image-photo\/vosges-france-15-july-2020-lotus-1815222476\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Shutterstock.com<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Weighing just 731 kg (1611.58 lb), the Series 1 was given a five-speed manual gearbox and a double-wishbone suspension to keep to the lightweight concept. All of this worked together to give the Series 1 such an agile performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_1998_Elise_Sport_135s_Unique_Design\"><\/span>The 1998 Elise Sport 135\u2019s Unique Design<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A few changes happened over the course of the Series 1. In the latter part of 1998, the <a href=\"https:\/\/supercarnostalgia.com\/blog\/lotus-elise-s1-sport-135\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Elise Sport 135<\/a> hit the open road with a revamped cylinder head that boosted power output to 135 bph. Painted in Quicksilver and sporting special \u2018135\u2019 graphics, the Sport 135 only offered a limited 50-unit run at first. 35 more units were made in 1999 and were just like the original 50 save for their black filler cap, \u2018135 99\u2019 badging, and 111S wheels.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Lotus-Elise.jpg\" alt=\"Lotus Elise\" class=\"wp-image-4787\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Lotus-Elise.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Lotus-Elise-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Lotus-Elise-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Image Editorial credit: TinoFotografie \/ <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shutterstock.com\/image-photo\/bibbianoreggio-emilia-italy-07-15-2015-2258418693\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Shutterstock.com<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Inside, there were fetching red sport seats and a matching red steering wheel. Under the hood, you\u2019d find a close-ratio gearbox. This vehicle also came with drilled brake discs and a catalytic converter-less sport-tuned exhaust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Sensible_Layout\"><\/span>A Sensible Layout<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Lotus designed the Elise Series 1 in a straightforward, no-nonsense manner. The drive is at the rear, each wheel at the end of each corner, and an engine plopped right in the middle. Lotus also did not see fit to simulate what was coming in luxury vehicles at the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The leather upholstery was undeniably thin, and there was no air conditioning or carpeting to be found, thereby hearkening to a bygone era. Besides, all that extra stuff would\u2019ve weighed the Series 1 down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"An_Impressive_Amount_of_Feedback\"><\/span>An Impressive Amount of Feedback<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Steering is where the Lotus Elise Series 1 absolutely shines. The steering wheel is placed incredibly close to the car\u2019s front wheels, so you will feel every road imperfection and even the slightest movement coming through the wheel into your hands. This gives it that quintessential racecar quality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You shouldn\u2019t notice any hesitations between your inputs and the vehicle\u2019s actions. All you do is point and steer, and the Series 1 immediately goes there.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" src=\"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Grey-Lotus-Elise-Series-1.jpg\" alt=\"Grey Lotus Elise Series 1\" class=\"wp-image-4788\" srcset=\"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Grey-Lotus-Elise-Series-1.jpg 1000w, https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Grey-Lotus-Elise-Series-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/Grey-Lotus-Elise-Series-1-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Image Editorial credit: TinoFotografie \/ <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shutterstock.com\/image-photo\/bibbianoreggio-emilia-italy-07-15-2015-2257482265\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Shutterstock.com<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>How high is your threshold for speed? Because however high it is, the Lotus Elise Series 1\u2019s is higher. While these vehicles are rare (and, unfortunately, not legal to drive in the United States due to their righthand driving design), if you can find one, snag it. Pop some new parts into it but keep that lightweight design going, and you\u2019ll feel as though you are meant to be driving on the track as well as the open road.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Let\u2019s take a little trip back in time. The year is 1995, and the location is the Frankfurt Motor Show. On display is the Lotus&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":3818,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3813","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general","wpcat-11-id"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3813"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3813"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3813\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4789,"href":"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3813\/revisions\/4789"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3818"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3813"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3813"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mycarmakesnoise.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3813"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}