Registration - CUT 580K

Chassis No. - 7108200323E

M.O.T. - September 2022

Odometer - 120,930

This smart Lotus Sprint was manufactured in August 1971 and was first road registered in March 1972. The vendor is only the third keeper of the car, the previous owner having treasured it for thirty-eight years until 2016. The vendor describes CUT 580K as a genuine turnkey, fuss free car, which has benefitted from several useful upgrades making it very usable in today's traffic conditions - including the addition of a modified Type 9 five-speed gearbox unit, numerous electronic upgrades and improved cooling.

The vendor tells us that the car has always been very well maintained, and has been in regular use on the road, except for a period in 1983, when the chassis was replaced with a Spyder stressed skin unit. This was extensively rustproofed at the time, and the vendor describes the chassis as still being in the same ‘as new’ condition as when it was first fitted.

CUT 580K was originally Colorado Orange and White, but the previous owner had it stripped back to gelcoat and repainted in its current shade of red with gold bumpers and wheels. The vendor reports that no body modifications have been made, except for the fitting of deletion “Drip Strips” which have been moulded into the door apertures to prevent water leaks. He tells us that the body and chassis are original, the panels having been reworked by the previous owner for a superior flush fit. The engine was treated to a full rebuild in 1990 by a known specialist (QED), to standard Sprint specification, since when it has covered around 23,000 miles.

The vendor describes the interior as being in excellent condition, the seats having been professionally re-trimmed in black with red piping. The headlining has also been replaced, whilst the crashpad areas, under-dash trims, and centre console were all custom made and are trimmed in matching black Ambla. The dashboard panel was made and fitted in 2018.

The Sprint is MOT’d until September, and is accompanied by an extensive history file, including all test certificates since 1978. The vendor advises us that the following list of upgrades have been made to the car:

- Transmission: Fitted with a modified Type 9 five-speed gearbox unit in 1999. Attached to the engine via an alloy “Rocket to BDA” bellhousing. Original flywheel/ring gear/spigot bush/starter/clutch hydraulics retained for simplicity. Wheels retained via octagonal nuts.

- Suspension: All four corners re-bushed with standard bushes. All four springs renewed and Konis fitted front and rear. New lotocones fitted. Rebushed trunions. No suspension mods.

- Brakes: Servo deleted and front fitted with +2 callipers. Standard size master cylinder (0.7inch) retained. All calliper seals replaced, plus new hoses/discs and pads. Rear callipers fitted with stainless pistons. System uses silicon fluid (as does clutch).

- Steering: Rack overhauled, re-shimmed, re-bushed and track rod ends renewed. Custom bracketry installed for better outer column location.

- Electrics: Facia panel now on multiplugs. Headlight lifts controlled by Toyota electric motors. All relays except the one controlling the horn are now located within the passenger compartment. 8-way modern blade fusebox fitted plus other fuses added to most other components. Converted to alternator and partially rewired. Ignition is by Lumenition, new set just installed. Heater motor overhauled in 2012 and wiper motor overhauled in 2010. Starter overhauled. Fitted with an immobiliser.

- Cooling: Fitted with larger +2 full-width re-cored radiator plus a modern, more powerful electric fan, manually controlled. Water pump replaced at time of engine build.

- Exhaust: Stainless apart from Y pipe and manifold which was replaced a few years ago.

- Wheels/tyres: Fitted with genuine 13” x 5” Minilites. Tyres are Pirelli 3000 155/80/13 section.

- Suspension: Standard, with Koni dampers all round, which are still on “base” settings as supplied. Both front springs have been renewed

- Other modifications: Most non-stressed bolts and fastenings are now stainless. Various anti-theft devices (immobilisers etc), have been fitted. Rear wheel bearings have been modified so they may be greased. Mains powered engine block pre-heater is fitted. An oil cooler fitted circa 1992.