EVALUATION : Original | Just 260 miles on a one-owner car. As close to a brand-new M100 Elan as you’ll find anywhere. Very impressive.
BOTTOM LINE : As Mazda was perfecting its modern interpretation of the 1960s Elan with the MX-5 Miata, Lotus was getting it wrong with a front-drive, Isuzu-powered wedge. The M100 Elan didn’t sell very well and isn’t particularly collectible, and for years it has presented a cheap way into Lotus ownership. Most examples still out there are on the rough side. This is the nicest one we’ve seen at auction, and it’s the most expensive.