Reimagining the Elise S1 with a rally-ready edge, Get Lost sets out to prove that fun is still a worthy foundation for car design.
April 15th, Surrey – There’s a new name in the world of automotive passion projects, and it isn’t one that tiptoes onto the scene. Founded by acclaimed automotive photographer GFWilliams, Get Lost makes its entrance with a mission as clear as it is compelling: to build cars that exist purely for the thrill of the drive. Its first creation, Project Safari, is a reimagining of the Lotus Elise S1 – not just tweaked or tuned, but rebuilt from the ground up with rally attitude, long-distance capability, and unapologetic character.
This isn’t an Elise with bigger tyres. It’s a love letter to the joy of driving, sent from a team that lives and breathes performance, design, and the emotional power of great engineering.
The Birth of Get Lost
Get Lost is more than a brand – it’s the culmination of George Williams’ career behind the lens, capturing some of the world’s most desirable machines in action. After years of chasing cars around the globe, Williams found himself asking a simple but often neglected question: what if a car was designed with pure fun as its North Star?
Answering that question took a dream and made it tangible. With a team spanning motorsport engineers, concept designers and master fabricators, Get Lost was born. And its debut vehicle, Project Safari, is a high-spirited, high-clearance testament to what happens when you throw out the rulebook and build with intent.
Reimagining an Icon
Project Safari isn’t a restomod. It’s not a tribute. It’s a radical reinvention – a fusion of design philosophy, engineering discipline, and unfiltered fun. “The idea of taking an Elise off-road might sound ridiculous,” admits Williams, “and that’s exactly why we leaned into it.”
This creative freedom gave birth to a machine that defies convention at every angle. While the fluid silhouette of the original Elise is still faintly recognisable, the rest of the car tells a different story. A custom roof scoop crowns the car’s adventurous spirit, while bespoke rectangular headlights and a fully reworked body enhance both utility and attitude. Inside, everything has been rethought – from switchgear to seating – with top-tier materials and tactile detail befitting a bespoke machine.
Every element has been carefully engineered not just to function, but to elevate the overall character. It’s this philosophy – no detail too small, no decision made without intent – that defines Get Lost.
Purpose-Built to Play
Performance wasn’t an afterthought. Project Safari is fitted with all-terrain tyres, a bespoke suspension system for increased ride height and width, and refined body control to deliver confidence whether you’re sliding across gravel or carving a backroad. A new powertrain delivers robust and reliable performance, while a limited-slip differential and hydraulic handbrake invite the kind of controlled chaos that puts a smile on your face every time.
“This is not a modified Elise,” Williams insists. “It’s our interpretation of what the platform had to offer. Everything – from the way it looks to the way it drives – was built to serve one goal: creating a car that’s fun.”
If You Know, You Know
Project Safari is not for everyone. And that’s the point. “If you get it, you get us,” says Williams. “If not? Get Lost.”
It’s a bold statement from a bold brand. But in a world of increasingly homogenous performance cars, Get Lost stands out by being exactly what it wants to be – raw, joyful, and deliberately different.
Customer builds for Project Safari are set to begin later this year, with Get Lost now accepting expressions of interest. Whether you’re a driver, collector, or creative collaborator, one thing is clear: this is a car – and a brand – made for people who drive with heart.
