Vehicle Description
Vehicle to be offered for Auction sale WITHOUT RESERVE and SOLD to the highest bidder January 19th - 22nd, 2017 at Russo and Steele's 17th Annual Scottsdale Arizona Auction at the Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Please contact us for more information.
Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro and his ItalDesign firm as a styling exercise first displayed at Turin in 1972, the Esprit was developed by British F1 racing powerhouse Lotus and unveiled in near-production form during 1974 with first deliveries made in 1976. While its stunning shape stole headlines, the Esprit was in fact a technological masterpiece. Initially powered by the Lotus-designed Type 907 16-valve, DOHC four-cylinder engine, the Esprit also benefited from Lotus' famous "added lightness" approach in keeping with its championship-winning Formula 1 design principles. A steel backbone chassis, rack-and-pinion steering, and four-wheel disc brakes delivered razor-sharp dynamics. Relentlessly improved, refined, and upgraded, the Esprit was produced until February 20, 2004.
With its exotic styling and limited-production cachet, the Esprit was the perfect mount for Roger Moore as Her Majesty's Secret Agent 007 in 1977's The Spy Who Loved Me, followed by For Your Eyes Only in 1981. In 1991, the Esprit returned to the silver screen, this time as Jason Alexander's ride in the smash hit Pretty Woman, starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere. Throughout its long production run, the Esprit was methodically developed and improved along several distinct series. By 1980, the Turbo Esprit appeared, with a new Garrett T3 turbocharger and redesigned 2.2-litre engine delivering blistering performance in line with the best from Ferrari and Porsche, including a 150-mph top end and 0-60 acceleration under six seconds. For 1985, the Esprit's already stellar handling was upgraded to match its forward thrust.
This 1985 Lotus Turbo Esprit is a fine example in British Racing Green Metallic over a soft and supple leather interior. It is one of just 262 cars built in all for 1985 and less than half with left-hand drive. The original owner was a physician from Danville, California, who purchased the car on 2/22/86. The second owner acquired this Lotus in December 1990 and kept it for 25 years. As offered, it is clear that this rare Lotus has been driven and loved over the years. An engine rebuild was performed by J D Enterprises of Fresno California and there are less than 550 miles of use on the motor. The original owner's manual, jack, and tools are included with the sale of the Esprit at auction. Blessed with just two caring adult owners from new and steeped in Lotus' F1 World Championship-winning design and construction principles, this Esprit is a timeless design with outstanding performance and driving dynamics, marking an outstanding opportunity for smart enthusiasts and collectors at auction.
