1988 Lotus Esprit HC Turbo

Description

Only four owners, the current for 18 years; a most attractive example of the most dramatic sportscar ever made on these shores

Penned by Giugiaro, the Esprit had initially appeared as a one-off design concept at the 1972 Turin Show and the 1976 production car was little changed. Beneath the wildly modern and sharp-edged GRP bodywork was the Lotus trademark of a steel backbone chassis, but with a mid-mounted in-line 2.2-litre slant-four engine cradled in a tubular frame.

In 1980 the Esprit entered the supercar ranks when the 210bhp Turbo model was launched. Blindingly quick thanks to its Garrett turbocharger, it could sprint to 60mph in just 5.4 seconds on its way to a top speed of 152mph. Even more impressive was the in-gear acceleration – with 50-70mph taking just 2.9 seconds overtaking was accomplished with contemptuous ease.

In 1986 a more powerful HC (high compression) model was available, now with 215bhp and more torque at lower engine speeds. With go-kart like steering (two turns lock-to-lock), powerful disc brakes and classic Lotus handling, the car could be hustled along at a rate that would embarrass Italian exotics more than twice its price. And the bodywork would never go rusty…

This Lotus Esprit HC Turbo was bought new by a Mr P Robinson of Aldridge via Norfolk Motor Group of Norwich in August 1988 and has had just three further owners since. Our vendor acquired the car in 2005 from an Oswestry gent who had owned it for the previous 11 years.

Used as its makers intended, it has covered 87,226 miles and comes with a good service history comprising 13 stamps in the book, the last at 77,964 miles in June 2004. In November 2005 at 83,319 miles our vendor sent it to Lotus specialist Paul Matty of Bromsgrove for a check-over which resulted in new engine and gearbox mountings, new air horns, new steering UJ and new brake pads all round. Also in 2005 the body was stripped back to the gel coat and professionally repainted to a very high standard which still looks great today.

Over the next 10 years the car was only very lightly used, any maintenance being carried out by a friend of the vendor who owned a local garage. In 2015 it was put into dry storage where it remained until being unearthed in June this year. It was then lightly recommissioned as required and passed its MOT with just a few minor advisories which you can look up online.

As you can see in the photos, it looks most attractive with excellent paint and bodywork and a tidy interior although the carpet in the driver’s footwell could do with replacing. It has been starting promptly and running well as we have moved it around on site, with good 5 bar oil pressure.

Now crying out for more regular use, this wonderful flying wedge still looks futuristic today and will turn heads wherever it goes.

For more information contact James on 07970 309907 or email james.dennison@brightwells.com