Just when we thought we’d seen every possible safari build under the sun, a photography-turned-builder named George Williams comes along and flips the script with what might be the most brilliantly bonkers interpretation yet. Under his aptly named brand “Get Lost,” Williams has transformed the already playful Lotus Elise S1 into something that makes us want to immediately find the nearest dirt road and disappear for a weekend.
The Perfect Kind of Stupid
Let’s be honest—turning a ground-hugging, track-focused Lotus into an off-road adventurer is completely absurd. It’s also exactly why we love it. Get Lost fully embraces this madness, leaning hard into the idea that sometimes the most fun car projects start with a premise that makes purists clutch their pearls. The Elise’s tiny footprint and featherweight ethos remain intact, but now those attributes are directed toward kicking up rooster tails of dirt rather than clipping apexes.
The visual transformation starts with a 100mm lift that immediately changes the car’s stance from “practically scraping” to “ready for action.” Massive fender flares accommodate all-terrain rubber on white rally-inspired wheels, while rectangular LED headlights replace the original’s rounded units—a deliberate break from the Elise’s curvaceous styling language. Four yellow auxiliary lights mounted up front ensure you’ll see whatever wildlife you’re about to startle on your backwoods excursion.
Engineering That Backs Up the Looks
This isn’t just a cosmetic makeover—Get Lost has developed a completely bespoke suspension system designed to maintain the Elise’s legendary feedback while allowing for serious off-pavement shenanigans. The underbody has been reinforced and Cerakote-protected to shrug off rocks and debris, while a limited-slip differential and hydraulic handbrake promise the kind of controllable slides that produce permanent grins.
Perhaps the coolest engineering touch is that mid-mounted roof scoop, which doesn’t just look the business—it’s fully functional. The intake splits into two ducts that flank the rear window, feeding whatever engine lurks beneath. Speaking of which, Get Lost remains tight-lipped about the exact powertrain, only mentioning it delivers “strong, reliable performance,” which suggests the original Rover K-Series 1.8-liter (not exactly known for its bulletproof nature) has been swapped for something more robust.
Details That Matter
The folks at Get Lost clearly understand that it’s the little things that make special cars truly memorable. The white exhaust tips perfectly match the wheels. The spare tire is prominently displayed on the rear deck, integrated with a floating wing that looks like it was pulled straight from a WRC car. Inside, bespoke seats trimmed in leather and tweed provide proper support while actually accommodating taller drivers—something the original Elise famously struggled with.
There’s an honest playfulness to the entire project that we find refreshing in an era where too many car designs take themselves entirely too seriously. As Williams himself puts it: “This car invites you to make bad decisions in beautiful places. And that, really, is the point.”
Spec Sheet
Model: Get Lost Project Safari
Base Vehicle: Lotus Elise S1
Ride Height: +100mm over standard Elise
Suspension: Completely bespoke system
Tires: All-terrain Nankang
Differential: Limited-slip
Special Features: Hydraulic handbrake, reinforced underbody, custom roof scoop
Interior: Bespoke seats (leather/tweed), improved ergonomics for taller drivers
Lighting: Rectangular Bi-LED headlights plus yellow rally lights
Production Status: Customer builds beginning late 2025
Pricing & Availability
Get Lost plans to begin building customer cars later in 2025, though pricing hasn’t been announced. The company is currently accepting “letters of interest” from potential customers and collaborators. Given the bespoke nature of the build and the cost of the donor Elise, we expect this won’t be cheap. But, can you really put a price on something this wonderfully unhinged?
Recap
Get Lost Project Safari Lotus Elise
The Get Lost Project Safari transforms the nimble Lotus Elise S1 into a dirt-slinging adventure machine with a 100mm lift, bespoke suspension, all-terrain tires, and just the right amount of rally-inspired madness to create something truly special for those who understand that fun trumps practicality every time.
