An increasingly collectible example of the early Toyota-powered S2 Exige, this car combines the legendary naturally aspirated 1.8-litre 2ZZ-GE engine, close-ratio 6-speed manual gearbox and lightweight Lotus chassis with the highly desirable Premium Race specification.
The Race specification brings a considerably more focused character than the standard Exige, while this example is further enhanced by a number of desirable Exige Cup upgrades, including 2-way adjustable Öhlins dampers, uprated oil cooling and Accusump oil accumulator. It also features Schroth four-point harnesses and lightweight sports seats. The previous auction description additionally records adjustable anti-roll bars and twin upgraded oil coolers.
Its specification is complemented by the superb Chrome Orange bodywork, contrasting black wheels, prominent rear wing and beautifully purposeful cabin, trimmed in black with orange detailing.
Importantly, this isn't simply an attractive low-mileage Exige. It is accompanied by an exceptionally substantial history file, containing its original Lotus documentation, historic sales paperwork, MOT certificates, maintenance invoices and correspondence accumulated over more than two decades.
The records show servicing dating right back to its first service at 1,267 miles, with subsequent documented maintenance throughout its life. The historic paperwork also records the car at just 7,000 miles in 2007.
More recently, considerable effort has been devoted to preserving and improving the car, with invoices within the accompanying file for specialist Lotus components and numerous smaller details. The history file is too large to overview in this advert and so is best reviewed in person on viewing.
A wonderful surviving example of what many consider the sweet spot of the Exige lineage: naturally aspirated, manual, lightweight and wonderfully analogue.
Finance is available for business and personal users and part exchange is welcome.