Plaidless S1 Esprit

Here we have a series 1 Lotus Esprit.  These didn’t offer the rocketship acceleration of the later, turbocharged versions, but they offered high-revving fun in a package that weighed nothing.

While yellow is a fairly common exterior colour on these – and one of which we approve – it’s a bit disappointing that this one doesn’t have the green and red tartan plaid interior.

This car seems to be in good shape, although the low-res photos imply that no images have been taken since 1982.  The price is insane, however.

Click for Craigslist ad
North San Diego, CA
$49,500 (huh?)

Was this wing stock??

Brown color and fancy lettering harken back to the 70s, and the accessory compass fits right in.

Nope, no groovy plaid here, but the tan and brown two-tone is pretty cool.

Here’s the powertrain specimen for viewing.

Ad text:

-Offered is a auto-collector’s gem, -Description: 
~1977 Lotus ESPRIT-S1/DS Coupe, –enhanced via $50k in refinements which make this a highly desirable specimen of ColinChapman’s supreme creation! For example, two photos show comparison between the special aerodynamic low-profile DOT-approved sealed-beam retractable-headlamps (-all four light-up the road on high-beam), vs. the ‘stodgy looking’ standard L.Esprit PopUp-headlamps typical of all other Esprit’s; –this significant improvement was to be offered on later L.Esprit’s (-but then the Esprit was untimely discontinued). The xlnt. body-finish is the original ‘gell-coat yellow’, and the interior is in showroom condition featuring the original mint Mohair-textile dash & doors, with Corinthian/brown-Leather seats & headliner; -and has been factory-modified to give ample head & leg room for a 6’3″-driver (5’10”-ht. is usual limit!); –plus the fast-acting elect./door-windows have been much improved to lower fully into the window-sill (-standard Esprit’s force one to rest their arm uncomfortably upon 1.5″-remaining top-edge of glass!). A special dash-switch enables one to illuminate the 45*-slant 4cyl./2-Liter DOHC engine within the unique ‘transparent’ engine-cover; –whereby the driver can look back and view the engine even at night through the cockpit/aft-window while driving! The electrical-system has been up-graded from the natoriously fire-prone Lucas to a reliable USA/marine-quality system (-whereby all gauges/switches operate perfectly). Another photo shows the stylish louvered aft-window, where just above is integrated a full-width LED/Brake-light, -positioned beneath the high-efficiency roof-wing. The Brake-system employs silicon-oil, and the engine has been protected by Mobil-1 (-and timing-belt was replaced only a 1,000-miles ago). Driving the car with it’s 5-speed transaxle & inboard/disk-brakes, and it’s special silky-smooth acting cork-backed Kevlar/clutch-facing, –is a wonderful experience; –although she’s rather a snail away from the light, -however she commences to wake-up and come-on ‘strong’ as she winds spirit’edly above 3,000-rpm toward red-line! The uniquely rigid monocoque/tunnel-frame kept the weight down to only 2,180-lbs, -thus the manual/rack&pinion-steering is wonderfully precise, handling substantially more nimbly than the half-ton heavier later versions. Owing its unusual qualities and diminishing survival-rate, and awareness of at least two other likewise clean/rust-free 1977-S1’s which have sold at auction recently for $60K, –this unusual specimen is reasonably priced to sell to a sophisticated collector at- $49.5K(-can arrange to ‘ameliorate’ the annual Registration/tax-burden.), and thus is intended for the connoisseur of cars such as- Porsche Jaguar Ferrari Lamborghini -etc., whom appreciate rare ‘one-of-a-kind’ motorcars. If seriously interested, –feel free to make inquiry…
Thanks for your interest, ~Robair vH
Pre-auction Offering: $49,500.oo (firm, -no Tax) E-mail or call Bob show contact info (-i screen my calls, –so be sure to say you’re calling about the ‘Lotus Esprit-S1’, and i will readily pick-up, -or soon call you back if i’m busy.).