Launched at the 1975 Paris Motor show, the Giugiaro designed Lotus Esprit is a striking mid-engine two-seater sportscar with a wedge-shaped fiberglass body. It weighs less than 1000kg in line with Colin Chapmans weight saving philosophy and handles superbly. The only drawback of the series 1 version was the underpowered naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine (160 BHP for European cars and 140 horsepower for US spec cars) which necessitated the development of the turbocharged Lotus Esprit. In 1980 Lotus introduced the 2.2l engine and began to introduce the Turbo engines with the limited production Essex Turbo. Power output increased to 210 horsepower. The Essex Turbo’s featured a new Giugaro designed aerodynamic package with a rear lip spoiler, louvered rear covers, a deeper front air dam and air ducts in front of the rear wheels.

The Turbo Esprit debuted in 1981 with the following distinguishing features:

• Aerodynamic body kit from the Essex limited series cars
• 2.2l Turbocharged engine from the Essex cars but with a wet sump
• Turbo Esprit decals on nose and sides
• 15-inch BBS alloy wheels

The Lotus Esprit Turbo (series 3) is nimble and lighter than the rounded bumper series 4 Lotus Esprit cars by 200kg and therefore more desirable. It occupies a special place among enthusiasts as well as in popular culture. It was the last car Colin Chapman developed before his death in 1982 and starred in “The Spy Who Loved Me” James Bond film as an amphibious car and made a second appearance in a Bond film (For Your Eyes Only) with ski racks fitted for its appearance in Cortina.

This 1984 Lotus Esprit Turbo is a series 3 Lotus Esprit with the 2.2l turbocharged wet sump engine and has 58 000km showing on the clock. It has recently undergone major refurbishment which has included the following:

Cooling system: Attend to water leak

• Remove both full-length aluminium cooling pipes – cut out damaged areas and weld on new pipe
• Replace front rubber hoses and clamps
• Radiator – Fit new aluminium radiator
• Fill and bleed cooling system

Attend to oil leaks

• Rear main seal and front seal
• 2 x cam seals

Major service

• Replace cambelt
• Drain and replace with new oil
• Fit new spark plugs
• New oil filter
• New air filter
• New fuel filter

Clutch & gearbox

• Re bond clutch
• Skim flywheel
• Gear selector arms adjusted

Suspension and tyres

• Replaced 2 x stabilizer link bushes
• Inject 2 x ball joints
• Replace 2 x anti roll bar bushes
• Fit new set of tyres – 225/60/15 Falken x 2 – 195/60R15 TL Falken x 2

Electrical & Ignition

• Repaired wiring to 3 x lights
• Ignition timing corrected as per original factory settings
• Correct spark plugs installed and gapped as per original factory settings

Fuel system

• Fuel pressure adjusted to original factory settings
• Synchronized carburetors
• Idle jets replaced

Fitted original air filter housing and air intake tube

This represents a rare opportunity to secure a sorted example of an iconic sportscar of the 1980’s of which very few exist in South Africa

Contact Gareth or Jeremy for more details Tel: (021) 462 3558 or send an enquiry via the contact form below