Lotus Elise Type 25 SC Jim Clark 2009

== Overview ==

Jim Clark is considered by many as the finest and most naturally gifted racing driver of all time. He won the F1 World Championship twice for Team Lotus in 1963 and 1965. In total, he won 25 Grand Prix races and was the first Briton to win the Indianapolis 500.

In tribute to Jim Clark’s achievements, in 2008 Lotus Cars and Classic Team Lotus created the Jim Clark Type 25 Elise SC, Limited to just 25 cars in the UK, and 25 in Europe (25 being the Type number of his 1963 Lotus F1 car and his number of F1 wins)

== My car ==

This is number 5 of the 25 limited edition UK cars. Coincidentally, this is also the 5th Elise I have owner during the last 25 years. I've wanted a Type 25 ever since I first saw the brochure, but they do not come up for sale very often. I was very happy to find and buy this car 3 years ago. I am the 4th owner and from conversations with the previous owner, I can confirm the car has always been garaged and has been very well cared for. I've had great fun with the car during the last 3 years, the car was faultless during an NC500 trip in 2023, which included a visit to the Jim Clark museum in the Scottish Borders; it has taken me on some great road trips to Wales and I was honoured to be able to park next to an original, ex-Jim Clark F1 car at Goodwood!

== History 10/10 ==

The car was originally purchased from Bell & Colvill (B&C) and has been serviced exclusively by the team there and also by Stef at Analogue Automotive. The service book is fully stamped and every service invoice is included in the car's history folder.

Note: the dashboard was replaced under warranty early in the car's life (at 6100 miles) This is documented in the service history (service record and matching paperwork from B&C), so the odometer reads 6100 miles less than the actual mileage.

MOT through to August 2025 with no advisories on the last test.

== Originality 10/10 ==

Both keys, owners hand book and service record are included.

The Type 25 was provided with optional roundels which are not to everyone's taste: - some people find them 'a bit much' for everyday wear! I wanted the option, so I had 5 roundels made up from the original design but did not fit them. They are included in the sale so you can go for the the full Type 25 look for special occasions!

The car has received a few sympathetic (and reversible) modifications:

- Upgraded Focal speakers and Alpine audio head unit with Bluetooth

- Upgraded aluminium radiator

- Upgraded Engine mount inserts

- Elise parts ventilated brake discs

- Larini Group B exhaust.

(The original Lotus Stage 3 exhaust, head unit and speakers are retained and are included in the sale)

== Bodywork: 8/10 ==

Paint protection film (PPF) was applied to the front and sides of the car from new

The paint is all original (never resprayed) and has a few marks here and there commensurate with the car's age, but in general is in excellent condition. The PPF has certainly done it's job very well and there are remarkably few stone chips

Note: there is one area of parking/kerb damage on the leading edge of front clam (see issues section below)

Hard top: excellent condition. It's not shown in the pictures as I don't use it - it's kept safely indoors in it's storage bag (bag is included in the sale)

Soft top: excellent condition. Refurbished by the Lotus trim specialists Allon White in June 2023

Wheels - good, slight kerb damage on the edge of one alloy and some lacquer bubbling on a couple of them - but they are a long way from needing a refurb.

== Interior: 9/10 ==

Interior is in great condition and the Probax seats are very comfortable and only show light signs of wear. Sill protectors - a few light scufffs from doing their job but otherwise very good.

One Air vent has some scratches - see niggles section

== Mechanical: 9/10 ==

Tyres, discs, pads all have plenty of life remaining

New 12V battery in Autumn 2022

Full 'F' level service by B&C December 2023 including SC belt, coolant, plugs, air filter, gearbox oil etc. in addition to the usual oil and filter

Latest service was completed by B&C in January 2025

== Niggles ==

Hopefully you can tell this car had been very well cared for. In the spirit of full disclosure, here are some points I would plan to address over time if keeping the car:

Leading edge of the front clam has some damage - I suspect I caught a large curb when maneuvering on the NC500 trip. It's so low down that I have chosen to just cover the damage with some tape. The tape is in place in all of the photos, so hopefully you can see how unobtrusive it is.

Suspension is all original - so expect the usual surface rust on wishbones etc.

One of the air vents has some scratches from a mobile phone holder

== Summary ==

This is a wonderful car any inspection is welcome and encouraged. I'm based in the South Downs, near Worthing (BN13). I'm happy to provide a walk around video via WhatsApp