135 sport - is it real?

[sethlj]

Done a search and cant find the definitive answer.

I am looking to buy a '98 Elise that is claimed to be a 135 sport. I had a look at it today - a nice car in silver with hard top and lots of chrome bits inside. The cover on the engine said 135 sport but that was it.

What other tell tale signs are there and how would I be certain that it is an original 135 sport or just someone claiming it is?

Also it may be that I am unfamiliar with the cars but the rear end looked wider than norm. Is this a 135 trait??

Cheers

S.

[moles]

Contact Chris Brown at Lotus, if you give him the cars chassis no he will tell you everything you want to know about it, he normally responds pretty quickly as well which is unusual for anyone at Lotus.
[e-mail]

[henrybovis]

I have this info from when I was looking for an elise last year.

Lotus Elise 135 Sport
This model was introduced November 1998.
Changes to the standard model for the batch from VIN X 5401-5450:
- 135 bhp cylinder head
- Close Ratio Gearbox
- Sports exhaust
- Competition style seats
- Sports steering wheel
- Drilled Iron brake discs
- Quicksilver paint with blue soft top
- Headlamp covers
- Body graphics
- Silver Roll Over Bar
Changes to above list for the batch from VIN X 6001 to 6035:
- 111S wheels, tyres and mudspats
- Black painted fuel filler cap
- Matt finish alloy gear knob
- Sport 135 99 side decals


November 1998 135 Sport
X 5401 – 5450
135 bhp cylinder head;
Close ratio gearbox;
Sports exhaust;
Competition style seats;
Sports steering wheel;
Drilled iron brake discs;
Quicksilver paint with blue soft top;
Headlamp covers;
Body graphics;
Silver roll over bar;

X 6001 - 6035 2nd batch variations:
111S wheels;
tyres & spats;
black painted fuel filler cap;
matt finish alloy gear knob;
Sport 135 99 side decals

so the answer is, check the VIN number:

www.lotus-elise.nl/Buyers_Guide/buyers_guide.html

click on reference section.

if it's a later model 135 sport then the "spats" may make the car look wider, I may be wrong but I think the spats are there to meet the regs regarding the wider alloy wheels i.e. 111S alloys (6 spoke).

Some more info:

For Sale:

http://stock.autorespond.co.uk/hawkinsandlock.aspx

www.alexanderdavid.co.uk/_adavidmc.htm

http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk

www.pistonheads.com/ads/adverts.asp?s=12

www.eliseparts.com

www.exchangeandmart.co.uk/motoring/index.php

www.findit.co.uk/cars/lotus/elise.htm

www.adtrader.co.uk/postcode_splash.php

www.preloved.co.uk/search/advanced_results.cfm?sect=Motoring&cat=Cars&subcat=Lotus

http://fish4.co.uk/cars/index.html

www.carsource.co.uk/

www.usedlotuscarsforsale.co.uk/used-list

www.loot.com/rs6/cl.asp?action=srslt&ps=15&cpg=sf&kyp=&xp1=0&xp2=0&xp3=0&xp4=0&ord=&prc=4399&kyd=elise&c1=4399&mnp=&mxp=&do=&trd=0&ow=0&psc_dis=0&psc=&iss=

www.upmystreet.com/cla/uc/?a=37&d=elise&m=any&x=any&k=&l1=E1

www.leichat.co.uk/classifieds/elise.html

www.desperateseller.co.uk/findacar/searchpage.asp

www.trade-it.co.uk/cars/

http://forums.seloc.org

www.allapprovedcars.com/UsedCarSearch.aspx?UManufacturerId=0&UModelId=0&UseContext=1

www.goldstar-racing.com/goldstarcarsforsale.htm

www.uksportscars.com/sales___stock.html

www.christopherneil.co.uk/

www.ntccars.com/ntcframe.htm

www.wilson-group.co.uk/lotus/Lotushomepage.htm


Info on Elise:

www.elises.co.uk/miscellaneous/buyingused.html

www.parkers.co.uk/choosing/car_reviews/review.aspx?range_id=337

www.lotus-elise.nl/Buyers_Guide/buyers_guide.html

www.elise-faq.info/

www.pistonheads.com/lotus/elise/Default.asp?storyId=3917

www.elises.co.uk

www.powerelise.com/manual/seite1.html

www.mikecauser.com/lotus/parts/paint_codes.html


Download manuals:

http://elise.pinkcore.com/

www.brooke-kensington.co.uk/misc/Elise%20Service%20Manual%20-%20indexed.pdf

http://quila.com/elise/

www.lotus-elise.be/

Insurance:

esteem 01483 706051/706070/706065
footman 0121 561 6250
frizzel 0800748748
cheam 0208 7701001
autotorque 01612785226
adrian flux 01533774477
Aplan 01494 677776
insurance world 01604 615415
www.confused.com


Tyres:

www.mytyres.net/start.html

www.camskill.co.uk/brand.php?bid=103&tbv=TOYO_T1R_TYRES


Parts:

www.hangar111.com

http://search.ebay.co.uk/elise_W0QQcatrefZC6QQfromZR10QQsacategoryZQ2d1QQsbrftogZ1QQsoZShowQ20ItemsQQsofocusZsoQQsoloctogZ9QQsosortorderZ1QQsosortpropertyZ1

www.pistonheads.com/sales/list.asp?p=1&s=14

www.moto-build.com/classified.html

www.eliseparts.com/index.htm

http://lotusecosse.com/

www.brooke-kensington.co.uk/ppartl6.htm

www.cars.u-net.com/lotus/elise.htm

www.tadts.com/instructions/index.html

http://www25.brinkster.com/bobvanm/

www.ekmpowershop.com/ekmps/shops/grouplotusplc/index.asp

www.loctiteproducts.com/products/detail.asp?catid=13&subid=29&plid=170

http://shop.christopherneil.co.uk/acatalog/Christopher_Neil_Bodywork_157.html

http://bg.mgcars.org.uk/index1.html?o=109715882528634


good luck

henry

[sethlj]

WOW!

That has to be the mother of all replys. Thanks for the info Henry.

Looks like I was looking at a conversion as it was first registered in August '98 so is a little early from the dates that you give. I will try Lotus direct just to make sure.

Thanks for the replys any pics of other 135's from the rear would be welcome.

Cheers

S.

[Davey S1]

Henry you have far too much spare time on your hands. Get down to the pub now

Seriously we should sticky this thread as it has links to just about every lotus site you could want. Save looking for it in the archives later

[clanger]

Henry - respect - without doubt the most comprehensive reply I've ever seen - very useful cos am viewing a 135 S1 next week............

[Rich135]

Hi S,

I sold my original Sport135 back in April last year, but pics of mine and many others are on http://uk.geocities.com/sprok135s/

Back end is no different from normal car, although wide tyres may make it look wider?? Seats are always red Corbeau fabric seats, not leather. Steering wheel should be trimmed in red and black alacantra.

They are great cars, so if it is an original (which it doesn't sound like) go for it.

Silver is also "quicksilver" which they only made the 135 in. It is a slightly blueish silver, but would be difficult to spot the difference to normal silver until you put the two together.

Have fun

Rich

[henrybovis]

Gald to help guys.
The reply is just a cut and paste from a list I keep. I can't guarantee that its all still working though.

henry

[msmisiu]

This is a great thread.
I am also thinking about buying a 135, however, the ones i viewed are usually missing some of the original signs.

I believe that big part of 135's value is their uniqueness and originality.
What do you guys think is the effect on the value of the car with some elements missing / changed?
Eg: engine upgrade (eg. ptp), missing decals, changed wheels, replaced seats, replaced steering wheel, replaced exhaust etc?
any of those you would still consider a bonus?

[msmisiu]

Also a side question, is there any registry of Elise 135 Sport cars, where i can confirm the one I'm looking for is really genuine?

[deepseatiger]

msmisiu said:

Also a side question, is there any registry of Elise 135 Sport cars, where i can confirm the one I'm looking for is really genuine?

phone lotus simple

[fridaypassion]

They have a fixed production based on chassis numbers so you can't "fake" a Sport 135:

http://www.elises.co.uk/models/sport135/index.html

I have this one for sale currently. I think it's the only one for sale in the country at the moment may be wrong:

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

[bencollins4]

I have number 8 of the first 50. Awesome little cars. The 'best' S1 (I would say that).

As above, chassis number will prove it. Another bit least likely to be faked or changed is the roll over bar is silver, not black.

I'm still waiting for the proper pictures of the 135 Sport above for sale or has it already been sold, hence lack of pictures?

[fridaypassion]

Work in progress we've been pretty busy so a bit behind with the pictures at the moment. It's still here.

[JACK6284]

Great cars, delighted with mine as shown in 3 of the pictures- air freshener has now been replaced. Prices are only going one way for original cars.