Many of you know that I have been through an expensive divorce, this means that not only haven't I used the Evante in the last year, but also realistically I have to sell it, although I'm not desperate.
Click image to enlarge
Click image to enlarge
It's one of the last MkI Evantes built and first registered in 1990. These great little cars were Vegantune's own update of the original 1960's Lotus Elan. Blue with Grey leather interior and blue hood.
Factory built (as they all were) with a 1,700 cc twin cam crossflow engine by Vegantune, five speed gearbox, tubular backbone chassis with a carbon fibre/Kevlar body.
I have owned this car since 1988 since when it has been little used having only covered 23,000 miles from new. It has always been garaged and only used in fair weather, so is in excellent condition.
The original wheels have been reconditioned and fitted with five new Avon ZV3 195/60R14 tyres within the last thousand miles.
The car has electric windows, electric radio aerial, walnut dash & window cappings (which would benefit from refinishing).
Fixing a price is difficult as so few Evantes were built, and this an excellent example, low mileage etc..
I was asking £12k, and someone (not here) agreed to buy at that price, then kept me stringing along for a while before saying he could only afford £10k, which I refused.
You live and learn. Now I will accept £11k with a new MoT, and will of course make a donation to the Forum.
NJSSAm I Gammon or Woke ? - I neither know nor care.
2016 Discovery 4 Landmark
2011 Mercedes Benz SL350 (R230)
1973 MG B GT V8 - 3.9L John Eales engine, 5 speed R380 gearbox, since 1975.
1959 MGA roadster - 1.9L Peter Burgess Engine - 5 speed gearbox
Past LRs - Multiple FFRs, Discos & a Series I - some petrol, some diesel,
none Electric or H2 fuel cell - yet.
There are 10 types of people in this world: Those who understand binary, and those who don’t.
The Evante is based upon the 70's Lotus Elan ("the best Lotus ever made"- Classic Car); in fact the very first prototype was built on an Elan chassis. All Evantes were factory built, and finished to a high standard. The sales pitch at the time was to be a petite Aston Martin.
The car is lightly built, in the early Lotus tradition, yet is considerably stronger than the original Elan. It weighs a little more, at 740 Kg, but has more power, 140 BHP in the standard MK1. The ride and handling, according to magazine reviews at the time the car was in production, is "exhilarating".
The standard mark I 140 Evante will go to 60 mph in about 6 seconds; no one is sure what the top speed is; but if peak revs could be reached in 5th gear, it would be around 160 mph.
The original finish of the cars was very good - they were aimed at the owner who wanted Lotus 7 type performance, but with a definite touch of luxury thrown in. The standard specification included walnut dash, Wilton carpet and Connolloy leather trim, electric windows, and a radio/cassette..
Most of the running gear is from Ford, including the engine block, and some of the electrical fittings, so that finding spare parts is not a problem. The chassis is not prone to rust; and the body, being Kevlar/Carbon Fibre reinforced GRP, is of course, immune from corrosion problems, and not suspect to the crazing problems that haunt some GRP cars of too light a construction.
To give an unbiased flavour of the car, I'll quote from motoring journalist Peter Dron writing in the magazine "Fast Lane":-
Quote:
I cannot recall having driven a small car (the Elan included) with such excellent ride and handling -- the Evante represents what the Elan might have developed into had Lotus continued to produce it
Another quotation from Lawrence Pearce, writing in "Motor"
Quote:
This car reminds me why I prefer a rear-drive sports car - for no front wheel drive machine can match the combination of grip, balance, traction, adjustability of line, and freedom from steering corruption that this one {the Evante} possesses.
NJSSAm I Gammon or Woke ? - I neither know nor care.
2016 Discovery 4 Landmark
2011 Mercedes Benz SL350 (R230)
1973 MG B GT V8 - 3.9L John Eales engine, 5 speed R380 gearbox, since 1975.
1959 MGA roadster - 1.9L Peter Burgess Engine - 5 speed gearbox
Past LRs - Multiple FFRs, Discos & a Series I - some petrol, some diesel,
none Electric or H2 fuel cell - yet.
There are 10 types of people in this world: Those who understand binary, and those who don’t.
16th Aug 2013 5:24 pm
xtc
Member Since: 27 Mar 2007
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 1072
That looks just great! Could I tempt you with a swap for a nice economical 4L V8 G4 D2? Or are you trying to save money!Off Roading is OK.... But I'd rather be Boating!
Only selling because of "expensive divorce" - I've owned it since the Spring of 1998, and never thought that it would have to be sold.
NigelAm I Gammon or Woke ? - I neither know nor care.
2016 Discovery 4 Landmark
2011 Mercedes Benz SL350 (R230)
1973 MG B GT V8 - 3.9L John Eales engine, 5 speed R380 gearbox, since 1975.
1959 MGA roadster - 1.9L Peter Burgess Engine - 5 speed gearbox
Past LRs - Multiple FFRs, Discos & a Series I - some petrol, some diesel,
none Electric or H2 fuel cell - yet.
There are 10 types of people in this world: Those who understand binary, and those who don’t.
20th Aug 2013 9:14 am
LEC
Member Since: 02 Sep 2013
Location: Surrey
Posts: 3
Evante for sale
Hello Nigel
I have just seen the ad for your Evante. If you still have it would it be possible to arrange a time to have a look at it.
I've just joined the Forum and the system won't allow me to send you a PM until I've filed 3 posts!
LEC
2nd Sep 2013 3:33 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72901
Just post twice more! How's the weather in Sunney Surrey?
2nd Sep 2013 4:21 pm
LEC
Member Since: 02 Sep 2013
Location: Surrey
Posts: 3
Thanks for the tip and yes its sunny in Surrey
2nd Sep 2013 4:25 pm
LEC
Member Since: 02 Sep 2013
Location: Surrey
Posts: 3
Isn't technology wonderful!
2nd Sep 2013 4:27 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72901
Hey presto you can now PM.
2nd Sep 2013 4:27 pm
Fricky
Member Since: 23 Oct 2013
Location: Kings Lynn
Posts: 3
Hello like the car
23rd Oct 2013 8:04 pm
Fricky
Member Since: 23 Oct 2013
Location: Kings Lynn
Posts: 3
This is silly
23rd Oct 2013 8:04 pm
Fricky
Member Since: 23 Oct 2013
Location: Kings Lynn
Posts: 3
Last one
23rd Oct 2013 8:05 pm
Evante Jane
Member Since: 24 Dec 2013
Location: Lincolnshire
Posts: 1
Evante for sale
Hi there,
I run the Evante club/register. I have been looking for this car for some time as I knew of it's existence but didn't have contact with the current owner. I am currently in touch with 40 + owners in the UK and abroad. I used to work at Evante - my father designed the car! Would love to catch up with you about her.
24th Dec 2013 3:24 pm
Japseroony
Member Since: 11 Feb 2008
Location: North East
Posts: 792
Sorry and tell me to read more carefully if I have missed something but you say this was factory built in 1990 but you have owned it since 1988, how can that be please or am I missing something
Fab looking vehicle and GLWTS "UNDERSTEER" ---is when you hit the fence with the front of the car.
"OVERSTEER" ------is when you hit the fence with the rear of the car.
"HORSEPOWER" -is how fast you hit the fence.
"TORQUE" ------------is how far you take the fence with you.
24th Dec 2013 4:00 pm
Tufty
Member Since: 13 Jul 2010
Location: UK
Posts: 480
^^^ Japseroony
NJSS wrote:
Thanks.
Only selling because of "expensive divorce" - I've owned it since the Spring of 1998, and never thought that it would have to be sold.
Nigel
Reading the rest of the posts it looks like the original one has a typo...
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Or are you trying to save money!
