Lot Ended
Description
Only four owners, the current for 18 years; a most
attractive example of the most dramatic sportscar ever made on these
shores
Penned by
Giugiaro, the Esprit had initially appeared as a one-off design concept at the
1972 Turin Show and the 1976 production car was little changed. Beneath the
wildly modern and sharp-edged GRP bodywork was the Lotus trademark of a steel
backbone chassis, but with a mid-mounted in-line 2.2-litre slant-four engine
cradled in a tubular frame.
In 1980 the Esprit
entered the supercar ranks when the 210bhp Turbo model was launched. Blindingly
quick thanks to its Garrett turbocharger, it could sprint to 60mph in just 5.4
seconds on its way to a top speed of 152mph. Even more impressive was the
in-gear acceleration – with 50-70mph taking just 2.9 seconds overtaking was
accomplished with contemptuous ease.
In 1986 a
more powerful HC (high compression) model was available, now with 215bhp and
more torque at lower engine speeds. With go-kart like steering (two turns
lock-to-lock), powerful disc brakes and classic Lotus handling, the car could be
hustled along at a rate that would embarrass Italian exotics more than twice its
price. And the bodywork would never go rusty…
This Lotus Esprit HC Turbo was bought new by a Mr P Robinson of
Aldridge via Norfolk Motor Group of Norwich in August 1988 and has had just
three further owners since. Our vendor acquired the car in 2005 from an Oswestry
gent who had owned it for the previous 11 years.
Used as its makers intended, it has covered 87,226 miles and comes
with a good service history comprising 13 stamps in the book, the last at 77,964
miles in June 2004. In November 2005 at 83,319 miles our vendor sent it to Lotus
specialist Paul Matty of Bromsgrove for a check-over which resulted in new
engine and gearbox mountings, new air horns, new steering UJ and new brake pads
all round. Also in 2005 the body was stripped back to the gel coat and
professionally repainted to a very high standard which still looks great
today.
Over the next 10 years the car was only
very lightly used, any maintenance being carried out by a friend of the vendor
who owned a local garage. In 2015 it was put into dry storage where it
remained until being unearthed in June this year. It was then lightly
recommissioned as required and passed its MOT with just a few minor advisories
which you can look up online.
As you can see
in the photos, it looks most attractive with excellent paint and bodywork and a
tidy interior although the carpet in the driver’s footwell could do with
replacing. It has been starting promptly and running well as we have moved it
around on site, with good 5 bar oil pressure.
Now crying out for more regular use, this wonderful flying wedge
still looks futuristic today and will turn heads wherever it
goes.
For more information contact James on
07970 309907 or email [email protected]