Lotus Esprit S1

Overview
Produced: 1975-1978, 994 produced.
Types: Coupe,2 doors,2 seats

Lotus first revealed its amazing Esprit in 1975. The Esprit effectively replaced the Europa and featured a dramatic two door, two seat, mid-engined body styled by Giugiaro. The Esprit became an instant classic and remains in production, in much modified form, today.

The Esprit S1 came with the 160bhp 1973cc four cylinder engine used in other Lotus models such as the 1974 Elite. As well as having excellent performance and road holding the Esprit also seemed to have great presence and a more up-market image than other Lotus products.

One excellent piece of marketing/product placement for the Esprit resulted in a memorable appearance in the James Bond film; "The Spy Who Loved Me". With hindsight this must surely have boosted demand for the Esprit and helped Lotus distance itself from its old kit-car image. 

Buyers Guide Lotus Esprit featured in Practical Classics January 2005 – available from our sister site Bookbase. Click here to view.

Source: Motorbase
Engines
CapacityConfigModelBore/StrokeCR
Lotus 900 SeriesTwin Cam
Drivetrain and Suspension
DrivetrainSteeringFront SuspensionRear Suspension
Performance
Top Speed0-60SQMMPGEngine PwrComment
135 mph8.4 s19 mpg160 bhp 6200
Brakes
FrontRearComment
DiscDisc
Auction Sales History
Lot
Num
Description Auctioneer Date Hammer Price Hammer Price
(inc premium)
409 Lotus Esprit Series 1 Coys 30 Oct 2004 Not sold
426 Lotus Esprit JPS Commemotative Edition No.79 Coys 30 Oct 2004 Not sold
Magazine Articles
Title Pages Options
Article Lotus Esprit files
41 View
Publication Classic Cars September 2006
Lotus Esprit files - Britain's first supercar braved avant design, survived financial battles and starred in two James Bond films.  Prepare to be amazed.
Article Classic TV Car Chases - Lights! Camera! Action!
46 View
Publication Practical Classics September 2005
Lights! Camera! Action! - From Bergerac to Bond, TV car chases throw up some intriguing mismatches.  We recreate three to see how absurd they are.
Article Buyers Guide - Lotus Esprit - Treat Yourself to a Lotus (1976-1988)
108 View
Publication Practical Classics January 2005
Buyers Guide - Lotus Esprit - Treat Yourself to a Lotus - The Esprit’s reputation for delivering a great driving experience is justified, but its reputation for being fragile is undeserved.
Article Classic Cars December 2001 pg 64
64 View
Publication Classic Cars December 2001
Giant Lotus handling test. Lotus has always made an art form out of building fine-handling cars. We put the best to the ultimate track test.
Article Flotus Esprit
40 View
Publication Classics Monthly September 2008
Flotus Esprit- Although inspired by the same film car, these owners have come up with two very different solutions... S1/S2.2 Esprit Sub, 1976 Lotus Esprit S1.
Article Buying Power - Lotus Esprit 1987-1998
32 View
Publication Classic Car Weekly 15 May 2008
Buying Power - Lotus Esprit 1987-1998- Guigiaro's wedge had already been i production for over a decade before Peter Stevens smoothed off the edges.  The later Esprits offer true supercar performance but are they a good buy? IAN SEABROOK takes a closer look.
Article Buying power - Lotus Esprit 1976-1987
28 View
Publication Classic Car Weekly 5 July 2007
Buying power - Lotus Esprit 1976-1987- During the Seventies, things went very wedgy in car design....with one of the most exciting British Cars of the style and era being the Lotus Esprit.  RICHARD GUNN guides you through buying Giugiaro's razor-sharp sportscar.
Article Six of the best..Lotus Classics
51 View
Publication Classic Car Mart July 2006
Six of the best..Lotus Classics - Every month, this special series brings you the most diverse and fascinating groups of vehicles we can conjure up.  Paul Guinness is your trusty guide.  Lotus Esprit S1, S2 & S3, Lotus Elite, Lotus Eclat, Lotus Elan, Lotus Elise, Lotus Carlton.
Article Smooth operator
98 View
Publication Classic & Sports Car January 2006
Smooth operator - It might not have the edge in looks on Giugiaro's original Lotus Esprit but, reckons Martin Buckley, Peter Stevens' softer successor is a more practical proposition.
Article Buying Power - Lotus Esprit 1975-1987
24 View
Publication Classic Car Weekly 11 November 2004
Buying Power - Lotus Esprit 1975-1987 - Few British supercars can equal the long term success of the dramatic Lotus Esprit.  RICHARD GUNN looks at buying the ’real’ wedge-shaped version built up until 1987.
Article Marque Five - The Lotus Position
55 View
Publication Classic Car Mart September 2004
Marque Five - The Lotus Position - Lotus have produced some hugely underrated sporting machines over the years.  Paul Guinness takes a look at five of the best classic Lotus buys of today. Lotus Europa, Lotus Elite, Lotus Eclat, Lotus Esprit S1, S1 & S3, Lotus Cortina.
Article Classic & Sports Car July 2001 pg 94
94 View
Publication Classic & Sports Car July 2001
Supercars for £15k - How 150mph is within reach for new Mini money - and sometimes a lot less.
Article Classics March 2001 pg 24
24 View
Publication Classics March 2001
MGB-Money Exotica. For the same outlay an an MG, you can have something quite exotic, but what offers the best value for money? Matt White compares the benchmark MGB GT with a Lotus Espirit S3 and a Porsche 912.
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