For Sale at Auction: 2002 Lotus Esprit in Amelia Island, Florida

Chassis No. SCCDC082X2HA10412

Having established their reputation of building some of the finest sports and racing cars noted for their superb handling characteristics, Lotus would continue to innovate when designing their new Esprit model. A successor to the Europa, work began in 1971 with Colin Chapman meeting with designer Giorgetto Giugiaro before the production model was launched in 1975 at the Paris Motor Show. Using Giugiaro's polygonal "folded paper" design with pop-up headlights, the Series 1 featured a wedge-shaped design that would remain an inspiration for future models offered across the two-decade production run.

Arriving in 1994, the Series 4 Lotus Esprit would bring a redesign courtesy of Julian Thomson which included a new rear spoiler and for the first time ever, power steering. Initially produced exclusively with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, in 1996 Lotus would launch the Esprit V8 before the model would receive its final styling updates by future head of Lotus Design Russell Carr for 2002.

In addition to styling changes, 2002 would mark a quarter-century of production for the Esprit, celebrated by Lotus with this commemorative 25th Anniversary Edition with just 100 special examples available for the North American market. Incorporating the same round taillight design found on the Elise S2, aggressive fender flares were paired with staggered 17-inch front and 18-inch rear wheels to provide a sporty exterior styling. Powered by a 'Type 918' 3.5-liter V8 engine developed by Lotus with twin-turbochargers to produce 350 horsepower, this Esprit features a five-speed manual transmission to reach a claimed top speed of 175 miles per hour. This vehicle, one of only 100 special 25th Anniversary Edition examples, is offered showing a mere 1,685 miles at the time of cataloging. Delivered new to Smith Lotus in San Luis Obispo, CA, this Lotus features a beautiful Arctic Silver Metallic over black leather specification. Among the most collectible of all Esprit models, this example has now emerged from the long-term, 17 year stewardship of its most recent owner. Benefitting from both remarkably low mileage and rarity, this already collectible Lotus must surely be one of the finest examples to become available in recent memory.