1997 Lotus Elise GT1

[Radical-Al]

finally saw a Lotus Elise GT1... helps the weather liked me too.

http://www.supercars.net/gallery/131430/1205/1.html

[chris]

Did it break down or catch fire? ;)

[Radical-Al]

i never saw it run. this was at a british car garage (which sells british cars) for sale, its still for sale. So i had to see it (and get pics) before i lost teh chance. I think it does have a ECU problem though. This particular one has a Corvette ZR1 motor and not the 3.5L TT Esprite engine.

[chris]

They were a neat idea - but from memory, very unreliable (with the twin-turbo V8)

Even the Esprit V8 GT1 was more competitive, along with those ungainly looking (but apparently nice to drive) Lister Storms.

[chris]

One thing notable is that this thing isn't much different inside from a standard road-legal series 1 Lotus Elise. ;)

Not really because they didn't want to change much, but because there wasn't much you could change, or get rid of to save weight. ;) It was already barren.

[Radical-Al]

even still, i never thought id see in person.... much less get good pictures of it... again, lotus was no where as near as popular (and less budget) back then as now (also, illegal in america/not known as widely)

[chris]

Yes, they never did sell them in USA.

And it is indeed rare to see one. About the best I've seen was a red Exige 240R, but it doesn't compare with that GT1.

[Radical-Al]

theres another one supposidly here in florida, (south) with the standard 3.5L TT V8. I wonder what paint it has... but yea, also got some pics of me sitting it. Great experience and i captured it well.

They also had a red Elise Motorsports inside (i woulda asked them to put it out but it wasn't in the right spot inside... ) but sadly not able to get them side by side.