Alaskan adventurer. Hill climb champion. Customised By Lotus Sport & Performance in Hethel plaque holder #009. More fun than a vintage Bugatti – or anything? – on a twisty road. Up for sale – maybe – is one of the most well known S1 Elises on the planet: Elsie.
Why Elsie? Because owner one Giles’ sister was dyslexic. The name stuck and stickers were printed.
Why maybe? Because I’ve been umm-ing and ahh-ing about selling for over a year now. But every time I go for a drive I vow to never sell! The reality is with time constraints of a young family she’s just not getting used. And a touch more practicality would help counter that situation – replacement shortlist is a Cayman or GR Yaris.
To be clear I’m in no rush to sell so won’t accept silly offers, but am putting the feelers out to see who may be interested in becoming owner five.
Owner 1 Giles Cooper (MAR 1999 – JUN 2013). Giles was well known within the Australian – and Scottish – Elises community, though sadly passed away. Giles no doubt has many friends still active in the community who have known the car from day dot. There remain many posts about his exploits with Elsie on AussieElises if you go searching.
Owner 2 Mark McKibbin (JUN 2013 – AUG 2016). Bought after Elsie was listed for sale on AussieElises – the original listing still exists. Mark is a vintage car enthusiast and Elsie shared garage space with a very early Peugeot and Bugatti Type 37A, enjoying the roads of Gippsland, VIC.
Owner 3 Reg Kenny (AUG 2016 – FEB 2018). Elsie was Reg’s 3rd Elise, the first being a new carbon Sport 190, and he heard of Elsie through the Bugatti Club of Australia. Reg is a well known car identity in Adelaide (having owned a tyre franchise here) and veteran motorsport competitor. He was a stalwart of the Targa Tasmania, competing in everything from a Bugatti Type 35B (hence the club connection), Mercedes 300SL gullwing, Jaguar MKII and XJ6. He’s been a Honda NSX tragic since they were launched, and still gets around in a mint example pushing close to 80 years old. He’s a family friend of one of my best mates which is how I came across the car.
Owner 4 Julian Casson (FEB 2018 – current). I was bitten by an Elise after a friend’s dad bought an early example in 1997 and took me for a spin. It left quite an impression! My 7 years with Elsie has been fantastic fun. She’s the perfect car for the Adelaide Hills, or any set of twisties really. Aside from weekend cruising, I’ve enjoyed Lotus Club events, a handful of track days and hillclimbs, plus the 2022 Adelaide Rally (Main Tour class – the slow one!) Elsie is currently registered in SA on historic club rego (I’m in Adelaide).
I cannot stress how complete and detailed the car’s documentation is. Click here for a Google Drive containing a PDF with full owner and service history, recent photos and photos from Elsie’s adventures.
I have every receipt filed in folders – including the original faxed new car order request – plus a stack of period brochures, car review magazines and more. Or as Reg put it when I bought the car: “more history than the Old and New Testaments combined.”
Plus a full set of service manuals (very useful), custom car cover, custom aluminium luggage box, rare factory luggage rack, and 2 big tubs of assorted spares.
I also have the original set of (refurbished) alloy wheels. The car currently sits on a set of genuine, super rare – and valuable – 340R wheels, which allow for slightly wider rubber. And no, I won’t be selling the 340R wheels separately sorry!
What the car isn’t? A low mileage factory-original garage queen.
What the car is? An 89,000 mile (Giles bought her new in Scotland remember), well used but extremely well maintained and documented S1. With all of the right reliability upgrades. Aside from the engine bottom end and a respray, the car has essentially been fully rebuilt progressively over the years. Yes there are stone chips, yes there’s a small crack in the left sill (from when Giles’ jack slipped back circa 2009; the crack hasn’t gotten any bigger since then), and yes the mileage is relatively high for Elises.
But if you’re looking for a car with real history that’s ‘on the button’ to get in and drive on a crisp morning – like I have been the last few weeks – Elsie could be the car for you.
Last major service was NOV 2024 with local specialist Adrian Akhurst (AA Auto), including timing belt and a new catalytic converter.
Open to offers around $50k-$55k. Email Seth at [email protected] and he’ll put you in touch with Julian.
What a fun car!
