At least every James Bond fan knows the car, but the Lotus Esprit has also won many friends beyond the world of film. The Giugiaro-designed wedge was unveiled at the 1972 Turin Motor Show, but it was not until 1976 that the first cars were delivered. One of them, chassis 76090166G, was the 64th car to be sold in the UK, with a solid-colored plastic body and green fabric interior. Only 16 Esprit left the factory in the combination "Colorado Orange" and "Green Tartan"; orange was the fifth most popular color of the 12 shades on offer.
This right-hand drive Lotus Esprit S1 was first registered on September 1, 1977; the first owner did without a radio and therefore also without an antenna. After several changes of ownership and many miles, the coupé came into the hands of Matthew Oxley, who failed to restore the car and passed it on to Drew Pritchard and Paul Cowland, who wanted to restore it as part of the television program "Salvage Hunters: Classic Cars". Almost regardless of the cost, the best specialists were identified who brought the car to a "better than new" state. Even the windshield wipers are correct and, of course, as a driver you look at the Veglia clocks and the surprisingly unaesthetic steering wheel as you did back then. A dream of a Lotus Esprit S1!
In this form and not even fully run-in, the 1976 Lotus Esprit will now go under the virtual hammer at Car & Classics from September 3, 2021. An estimated price is not given, but this beauty with a good chance of winning a Concours d'Elégance certainly won't come cheap. If the buyer wishes, they can also appear on the television program "Salvage Hunters: Classic Cars" for the car handover. After all, it's not every day you get to be on television.
You can read more about the car on the Car & Classic website, where you can also buy the Esprit at auction.
