A 2008 Lotus Elise California Edition showing just 3,300 miles has surfaced for sale on Bring a Trailer, offering collectors one of the rarest and most pristine examples of the lightweight British sports car. It’s one of just 50 California Edition cars ever produced, evenly split between Ardent Red and Saffron Yellow, and this particular car is finished in the former with a Magnolia-and-red leather interior.
Originally registered in Tennessee and later in California, the car has remained with its current owner since 2018. Like most Elises, the California Edition was designed around Lotus’s signature formula of light weight and balance rather than raw power, something enthusiasts still celebrate today in everything from the latest V6 Lotus Emira to the most extreme track builds.
Classic Elise Purity
Power comes from a 1.8-liter Toyota-sourced 2ZZ-GE inline-four, rated at 190 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed manual transaxle. With a curb weight of under 2,000 pounds, the Elise’s appeal has always been its simplicity, a reminder that engagement doesn’t require excess horsepower. Braking is handled by ventilated and cross-drilled discs with AP Racing and Brembo calipers, while Bilstein dampers and Eibach springs keep it planted.
The car rides on 16- and 17-inch Y-spoke alloy wheels wrapped in Yokohama Advan AD48 tires, maintaining Lotus’s hallmark balance between grip and feel. And unlike some of the more hardcore variants, the California Edition adds comfort without compromising the purity of the driving experience, featuring air conditioning, an Alpine CD stereo, and power windows.
Low Miles, High Exclusivity
Inside, the Magnolia and red leather cabin is beautifully preserved. Color-coordinated carpeted mats, a MOMO steering wheel, and clean analog instrumentation all reflect a minimalist ethos. The odometer reads just 3,300 miles, approximately 400 of which were added by the current owner, confirming its place as a genuine collector’s time capsule.
This California Edition comes with its original owner’s manual, full service records, a clean Carfax report, and a California title. For fans of Lotus’s lightweight heritage, it’s a chance to own something even rarer than a modern Emira. That connection to purity is what makes this model so significant, it predates Lotus’s push into hybrid performance, such as the upcoming Lotus Plug-In Hybrid Emira.
A Rarity Among Rarities
The California Edition represented the final flourish of the Elise’s second generation before the model exited the U.S. market. Today, few sports cars capture the same elemental spirit, this particular car, however, remains the purest expression of the breed: light, precise, and beautifully kept.
For collectors, this sale is a window into the last era of truly analog British sports cars. With its originality intact and mileage that would make any preservationist jealous, this 2008 California Edition has six days left of bidding, with the current bid standing at $30,000 at the time of publishing.
