1997 Lotus Elise Sport 160

I n 1996 Lotus returned to their roots with a small-engined lightweight car that had the critics raving about its handling and balance. The engine was nothing special, a 1.8litre 4 pot Rover K-series, as used to power generations of Metros. However, it was revolutionary in construction, being the first production car to be made out of glued aluminium, and complete with a glass-fibre body, this led to the car coming in at a featherweight 690kgs, that despite the meagre 118bhp, the car was capable of a sub 6 second 0-60mph dash.

It was hugely compromised, with a roof that was a complete afterthought and harder to put up than a tent in a dark wet field. There was enough boot space for one carrier bag and if there was any food in that bag, the luggage compartment would get hot enough to cook it. Access into and out of the car with the roof on was for contortionists only. But the car handled so sublimely that all was forgiven.

However, on the right roads or on the track, who cares? A Caterham 7 for the 21st century, they said, one of the most focused, uncompromising drivers cars ever built.Our car has recently been upgraded to Sport 160 configuration and also fittted with a close-ratio box, so it's a bit of a monster!