17th Oct, 2018 13:00
Imperial War Museum Duxford
1999 Lotus 340R
Estimated at £45,000 - £55,000
Lot details
Registration No: V119KCL
Chassis No: SCCGA1116YHC60006
Mot Expiry: July 2019
- The very first road going 340R as confirmed by its accompanying Lotus Certificate of Authenticity
- Featured in numerous magazine / newspaper articles and put through its paces by Tiff Needell on Top Gear
- An unrepeatable opportunity to acquire what is effectively chassis no.1 and the most famous 340R
'This car is pure indulgence, an escape from the real world, and if you're going to have a mad car you might as well have one of the maddest. Park this in the garage next to your everyday motor and two years hence it will still make you smile' (EVO magazine on the Lotus 340R).
What began as a pipe dream between Lotus's design staff and Autocar magazine and evolved as a concept car shown at the 1998 Birmingham International Motor Show became a production reality in February 2000. Based on the extruded and bonded aluminium chassis of the Lotus Elise and using lessons learnt from the 190 Sport and 135 Elise programmes, the 340R was equal parts series production car and track day special. Powered by a 1.8 litre K-Series VHPD (Very High Power Derivative) engine allied to five-speed manual transmission, the 340R was reputedly capable of 0-60mph in 4.6 seconds and 132mph. However, straight-line speed was never its forte. The provision of super responsive rack and pinion steering, all-round adjustable independent suspension (which allows for corner weighting), vented / drilled 282mm disc brakes and bespoke semi-slick Yokohama AO38 tyres means that the featherweight two-seater can still humble a hypercar on the right circuit.
The very first road-going 340R, 'V119 KCL' featured in numerous magazine / newspaper articles and was put through its paces by Tiff Needell on Top Gear. Displaying just 23,000 miles to its odometer, the Lotus is described by the vendor as being 'excellent' with regards to its engine, gearbox, bodywork, paintwork and electrical equipment (while, he rates the interior trim as 'very good'). Riding on Technomagnesio alloys, it is offered for sale with a Lotus Certificate of Authenticity, service history, MOT certificate valid until July 2019 and both keys. An unrepeatable opportunity to acquire what is in effect Chassis No. 1 and the most famous 340R!
PLEASE NOTE: We are advised an application to have the original registration number 'V119KCL' reallocated is with the DVLA and it is hoped the new V5/C will arrive soon.
Registration No: V119KCL
Chassis No: SCCGA1116YHC60006
Mot Expiry: July 2019
- The very first road going 340R as confirmed by its accompanying Lotus Certificate of Authenticity
- Featured in numerous magazine / newspaper articles and put through its paces by Tiff Needell on Top Gear
- An unrepeatable opportunity to acquire what is effectively chassis no.1 and the most famous 340R
'This car is pure indulgence, an escape from the real world, and if you're going to have a mad car you might as well have one of the maddest. Park this in the garage next to your everyday motor and two years hence it will still make you smile' (EVO magazine on the Lotus 340R).
What began as a pipe dream between Lotus's design staff and Autocar magazine and evolved as a concept car shown at the 1998 Birmingham International Motor Show became a production reality in February 2000. Based on the extruded and bonded aluminium chassis of the Lotus Elise and using lessons learnt from the 190 Sport and 135 Elise programmes, the 340R was equal parts series production car and track day special. Powered by a 1.8 litre K-Series VHPD (Very High Power Derivative) engine allied to five-speed manual transmission, the 340R was reputedly capable of 0-60mph in 4.6 seconds and 132mph. However, straight-line speed was never its forte. The provision of super responsive rack and pinion steering, all-round adjustable independent suspension (which allows for corner weighting), vented / drilled 282mm disc brakes and bespoke semi-slick Yokohama AO38 tyres means that the featherweight two-seater can still humble a hypercar on the right circuit.
The very first road-going 340R, 'V119 KCL' featured in numerous magazine / newspaper articles and was put through its paces by Tiff Needell on Top Gear. Displaying just 23,000 miles to its odometer, the Lotus is described by the vendor as being 'excellent' with regards to its engine, gearbox, bodywork, paintwork and electrical equipment (while, he rates the interior trim as 'very good'). Riding on Technomagnesio alloys, it is offered for sale with a Lotus Certificate of Authenticity, service history, MOT certificate valid until July 2019 and both keys. An unrepeatable opportunity to acquire what is in effect Chassis No. 1 and the most famous 340R!
PLEASE NOTE: We are advised an application to have the original registration number 'V119KCL' reallocated is with the DVLA and it is hoped the new V5/C will arrive soon.
Auction: Imperial War Museum Duxford, 17th Oct, 2018
All successful bids must be paid in full by midday the day after the auction at the latest.
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