Explorer saved legendary mid-engine sports car parked for years, but there's one burning question

This man found an iconic sports car covered in cobwebs and rust.

It had been parked for years, as was clear by its filthy state.

The 2007 Lotus Elise S2 was a lucky find, provided he could get it to work.

After dusting away the spider webs and struggling to climb in, all he could do was cross his fingers and hope for the best.

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A legendary sports car left to collect dust

Lotus introduced the Elise S2 in 2001, not realizing at the time that it would become a defining model for the brand.

At just 1,900 lbs, the S2 was exceptionally light and agile, with a mid-engine layout that balanced its weight distribution.

Of course, the automaker would continue to make legendary vehicles, not least of all the concept Lotus Theory 1, which Supercar Blondie’s Sergi Galiano got to test drive before anyone else.

YouTuber Colin Smith, also known as The Bearded Explorer, couldn’t believe his luck when he found a 2007 Lotus Elise S2 for sale.

It had been parked in a driveway for a number of years and only had 16,000 miles on the clock.

When he arrived to inspect his new purchase he could barely touch it without getting his hands dirty, thanks to layers of mold and cobwebs.

The brakes were all completely rusted too, and seemed to be totally seized up.

Things looked bleak, but Smith figured the Toyota engine and the car’s solid reputation meant luck was on his side.

Saving the Lotus

Although the sports car was in rough shape, far worse examples have been successfully restored.

Take the outrageously rusty 1967 Mustang that had been sitting in a barn for 25 years, for example.

The YouTuber lifted the Elise’s engine cover to discover a completely dry engine, with the oil and coolant at the right levels.

Next, he hooked up the battery to get some life into the Lotus

Smith swept the cobwebs off the gear stick and seat and climbed behind the wheel, rather clumsily.

He said it’s as awkward to climb into as a Lamborghini Countach.

Amazingly, getting this rusty sports car to roar to life was as easy as turning the key in the ignition.

The YouTuber immediately drove it out of the driveway and onto a truck to take it home for further tinkering.

According to Smith, the Lotus’s saving grace was that the owners had left the handbrake off and kept it parked in gear.

“Massive shout out to the owner for that,” he said.

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