Lotus by no means managed to deliver the unique Series 1 Elise into the United States, however an unbiased firm, Sun International, did. To make the automotive U.S.-legal, Sun International ditched the Elise’s authentic Rover Ok-Series engine for one of many all-time nice four-cylinders, the 1.8-liter from the Acura Integra Type R. Only a handful of such automobiles exist, and one simply came up for sale on Cars and Bids.

Specifically, it is a 1999 Elise 111S in left-hand drive and searching fairly good-looking with silver over black five-spoke Rota wheels. Based on the paperwork proven within the itemizing, this Elise was introduced into the U.S. in 2002, with the B18C engine and Honda gearbox put in in 2003. It was first registered in 2005 as a 2001 Sun International RS Spider. 

The Honda engine is arguably an improve over the unique Rover unit. That four-cylinder was mild and rev-happy, however they’re vulnerable to head-gasket failures and components are not possible to search out within the U.S. The B18C, in the meantime, is Honda-reliable and with its 8400-rpm redline and VTEC cylinder head, an ideal match for the light-weight Elise.