1988 Vegantune Evante Sports 1700

This Evante Sports 1700 is a rare and lightweight British roadster, conceived as a modern interpretation of the classic Lotus Elan formula and produced in very limited numbers. It is powered by a 1.7-litre Vegantune twin-cam inline-four, driving the rear wheels through a five-speed manual transmission. The Evante used a Ford-based Vegantune VTA engine, while its transmission was derived from the Ford Sierra. Only 106 examples were reportedly produced during the original Evante production run, making this a particularly unusual modern classic sports car. This example is currently located in Australia, where it passed compliance in April 1988. The odometer indicates 30,790 miles, though this is not warranted. Build year: 1988. The Evante was developed by Vegantune, a company well known for its performance engines and work with the Lotus Elan. Its lightweight construction, compact proportions and rear-wheel-drive layout were intended to retain the engaging character of the Elan while incorporating a tubular spaceframe chassis and more contemporary components. The Evante features a fibreglass body over a tubular steel spaceframe chassis, with independent suspension and disc brakes at all four corners. Contemporary information also records the model as weighing around 720kg. This example is finished in metallic green over a Bone leather-trimmed interior, complemented by a walnut dashboard and matching timber trim. Equipment includes electric windows and an electric boot release. The seller reports that the car is equipped with four-way adjustable coilover suspension and four-wheel disc brakes. The seller also reports that the car features Vegantune performance cylinder heads. The car is accompanied by its soft top and two ignition keys. Please refer to the photo gallery to assess the exterior and interior condition. The seller states that the last recorded maintenance was carried out in December 2025 at an indicated 29,800 miles. This Evante Sports 1700 is a seldom-seen lightweight British roadster, combining a Vegantune twin-cam engine with a five-speed manual gearbox, rear-wheel drive and compact two-seat sports-car proportions. With only 106 examples reportedly produced during the original production run, it represents an intriguing alternative to more familiar British sports cars of its era. Finished in metallic green over a Bone leather interior with walnut trim, this example also benefits from adjustable suspension and four-wheel disc brakes. It would make a notable addition to any collection of unusual British sports cars, and an appealing companion for weekend drives and enthusiast event visits alike.