Lot details Registration No: N539HSX Chassis No: SCC082918THA15072 Mot Expiry: Mar 2008
The Lotus Esprit was launched in 1975 as a replacement for the Europa, having originally been shown as a Giugiaro design concept on a Europa chassis in 1972. Part of Chapman's move to take Lotus upmarket along with the Eclat and Elite, the Esprit utilised the marque's new 1973cc 'twin-cam' engine. As one of the most extreme examples of the wedge profile fashionable in the 1970s, the basic shape of the Esprit proved dramatic enough to continue virtually unchanged until 1987 when it was replaced by Peter Stevens' in-house design. Still high-impact but with much softer, friendlier contours, the new Esprit was available in S4 or Turbo guises (the latter model boasting 229bhp and a top speed of almost 150 mph). Steady development meant that Lotus continued to find a small but appreciative market for the Esprit and it was a natural home for the new 3.5litre V8 engine developed by Hethel in 1996. Featuring twin turbos and producing 350bhp, this engine turned the Esprit into a premier league supercar with a top speed of 175 mph and 0-60 time of under 5 seconds. Distinguished by its high-level rear aerofoil, the V8 followed true Lotus tradition in offering this level of performance at a fraction of the price of its Italian and German contemporaries.
Finished in black with magnolia leather upholstery, this particular example is described by the vendor as being in "very good" condition with regard to its engine, five-speed manual gearbox, electrical equipment, interior trim, chassis, bodywork and paintwork. Reportedly "first registered 7/5/1996 by Lotus dealer Storm of Leicester and serviced by them until 23/8/99", 'N539 HSX' is then understood to have come under the care of Lotus dealer "Murray Motors of Edinburgh who serviced it until 7/3/206 including belts, tensioners and idlers". Stated to have had five owners from new (two of whom were Lotus dealers) and to have covered just 28,554 miles at the time of writing, the Esprit rides on alloy wheels shod with "new tyres". A true supercar, this stunning Lotus is offered for sale with "full dealer service history", MOT certificate valid until March 12th 2008 and road tax valid until June 30th 2007.
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