Zante finally ready

[Guy Munday]

Hi all,

I have read with interest the various threads relating to the Zante which I acquired at auction a few months ago.

I have spent the time since purchase returning the poor old thing back to a usable and road legal condition, it having been allowed to fall into a state of disrepair by the previous owner. As always, these things take longer and reveal more issues as you go along.

Anyway, I am now satisfied that all of the major concerns have been dealt with and it is now time to find it a new owner. It has certainly been a bit unlucky with the past owners and I hope now to find it a more caring home. There has been a lot of discussion about the selling price compared to the auction price but, believe me, when you add on commissions, transport, VAT, parts and around 50 hours of labour, I will not be getting rich out of this one! The difference between the car I bought and the car I am now selling is like night and day and I didn't necessarily buy this one for commercial gain - I just fancied owning it!

I am a dealer but, primarily, I am an enthusiast and I would like the car to be sold to somebody who is going to take it on to the next level and make it available at shows and meetings for others to enjoy as it does have some historical significance - I clearly remember attending the Motor Show in which it starred all those years ago as I was working for Caterham at the time! I will be happy to strike a reasonable deal with somebody that can fulfill these responsibilities.

The text that I used in a previous advert follows. Plenty of images are available...

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. All fluids have also been changed including engine oil, brake fluid and coolant. 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.

[clemo]

Bravo ..
I fine car back on the road .

[TrevorB]

I have this advertising photo with description of Elan details on reverse stuck to the freezer with magnets. Is it Zante? I wonder.

2016-12-05 18.21.41 (1024x576).jpg

[simonbuk]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LOTUS-ELAN-SE ... 1234690643

[clemo]

BUMP ... NOW ON PISTONHEADS

[chipp]

Also just went to auction but did not sell.

chipp

[clemo]

Also just went to auction but did not sell.

chipp

Was that at £13,000 chipp?

[chipp]

I saw it reach £11,500.

chipp

[Guy Munday]

Berlinetta Auctions is a new company run by a very good friend of mine. Being a new venture, I let them put it on their weekly auction. TBH, I didn't have high hopes as they are a new business with little online footfall yet although the concept is refreshingly different.

The car continues to improve with two new front brake calipers meaning it now stops as well as it goes and a new alternator has overcome a charging issue that took some finding.

I've got a journalist coming round next week to do two features. The first is a 'driven' type feature and the second will be an in depth article about the car itself including its motor show appearances and subsequent life.

Should be fun!

[Rambo]

https://www.berlinetta-auctions.co.uk/w ... -show-car/

[M100_DMM]

I had the pleasure of driving PP14 yesterday. She'll be appearing in two issues of Classic Car Buyer over the next few weeks. I'll keep LEC posted as to publication dates etc., but meantime you may take it from me that she drives very well indeed.

[tigerdog]

[M100_DMM]

I had the pleasure of driving PP14 yesterday. She'll be appearing in two issues of Classic Car Buyer over the next few weeks. I'll keep LEC posted as to publication dates etc., but meantime you may take it from me that she drives very well indeed.

A one page article about the Zante (in the guise of a brief test report) will appear in this week's edition of Classic Car Buyer. The digital edition (issue 375) is out now and the printed edition hits the newsstands tomorrow.

A longer feature about the Zante should be published in the next two to three months.

[clemo]

Tidying up pack . Bump

[Rambo]

Looks like the "Zante" is now sold and heading south as far as you can go. New Zealand to be precise

I wonder whether it's Mike in Christchurch who is the lucky new owner ?

[Mike_H]

No its not me ,I'll ask around the NZ lotus club to see if anyone knows who the buyer is.