Discussion
Lets say I wanted my childhood poster car which was the Essex liveried esprit complete with red interior and silly stereo in the roof.
Where would I start looking? Are they likely to hold a significant premium over the same period turbo car or not?
I've no idea how many were made so if there aren't many then rarity will boost the price.
A stock 80s turbo seems to cost 15k or so, so how much for an Essex?
Would I find it very slow compared to a 996t?
Thanks
Where would I start looking? Are they likely to hold a significant premium over the same period turbo car or not?
I've no idea how many were made so if there aren't many then rarity will boost the price.
A stock 80s turbo seems to cost 15k or so, so how much for an Essex?
Would I find it very slow compared to a 996t?
Thanks
They are very rare. Only 34 made 23 Domestic and 11 for the non domestic market. To my knowledge there are only 4 UK road registered at present although I think another one is currently being put back on the road.
If you want one you probably have to wait for one to become available although Essex 007 is/was up for sale in Australia very recently - Google it and you should find it.
Prices - hard to say given that there are so few and it depends on if you want an original one (paint/interior etc) or a restored one. Have a look at the EVO magazine piece on Esprit's from last year - there is a good write up of an Essex Esprit there.
In terms of driving they can be absolutely fantastic but you have to remember that they are all 33 years old.
If you want one you probably have to wait for one to become available although Essex 007 is/was up for sale in Australia very recently - Google it and you should find it.
Prices - hard to say given that there are so few and it depends on if you want an original one (paint/interior etc) or a restored one. Have a look at the EVO magazine piece on Esprit's from last year - there is a good write up of an Essex Esprit there.
In terms of driving they can be absolutely fantastic but you have to remember that they are all 33 years old.
If you go on "The Lotus Forums" and do a search there is a 30+ page thread about how Essex 007 and how it was it when was being sold here in the UK before going out to Australia c3 years ago. I suspect that it has been restored over there as it was in need of money spending on it before it went - both paint and interior as I recall. There was a link to the advert on that thread.
Speed wise when it was sold it was quoted 0-60 at 5.6 secs but Esprit's really come into their own in terms of handling.
Update - Had a quick look and the link (May 2013) no longer works suggesting that the car is no longer for sale
Speed wise when it was sold it was quoted 0-60 at 5.6 secs but Esprit's really come into their own in terms of handling.
Update - Had a quick look and the link (May 2013) no longer works suggesting that the car is no longer for sale
Edited by Bazza 2174 on Friday 5th July 15:26
There is an Esprit Buyers Guide in the new issue of Classic and Sports Car, just out. It focuses on the wedges, pre-88 models including the Essex. I had a quick look in WH Smith's. I think it said expect to pay up to £45k for a mint Essex Turbo! But they are very rare now.
You can also check out Lotus Esprit World for detailed info -
http://www.lotusespritworld.com/EModels/Essex.html
And just for the hell of it, here's a picture of my V8 next to Barrie's Essex at the 60th Anniversary bash at Hethel in 2008 -
You can also check out Lotus Esprit World for detailed info -
http://www.lotusespritworld.com/EModels/Essex.html
And just for the hell of it, here's a picture of my V8 next to Barrie's Essex at the 60th Anniversary bash at Hethel in 2008 -
Edited by Hedgerley on Friday 5th July 16:27
[url]Edited by Hedgerley on Friday 5th July 16:30
Edited by Hedgerley on Friday 5th July 16:31
Love the Goodyear script on the tyres. I can just imagine the conversation with the tyre fitters. "Now you need to make sure the tyres go in the same place relative to the stud holes..."
Cracking car Barrie.
Sadly at 30k plus I think I'd struggle to justify the difference over a "normal" giugiaro turbo.
Cracking car Barrie.
Sadly at 30k plus I think I'd struggle to justify the difference over a "normal" giugiaro turbo.
I sold no 18 a few years back to a chap in south wales, at the time i had no dosh to recomission it as at the time i was doing a lamborghini urraco up, i think i let it go for 8.5k ish but it did need work , if i only i kept it hey !
I think no 18 was the car up for sale late last year, I remember selling it to a Julian
I guess an average runner now got to be worth 15-18k with better examples 25k plus
good luck with your search , you never know one could be just around the corner , but i think as commented before there are only approx 20 left
I think no 18 was the car up for sale late last year, I remember selling it to a Julian
I guess an average runner now got to be worth 15-18k with better examples 25k plus
good luck with your search , you never know one could be just around the corner , but i think as commented before there are only approx 20 left
They are just stunning and the stereo in the roof was the icing on the cake for me when I was 10, still is!
Values are rocketing. The very best cars (there may only be one or two examples that would qualify) are heading north of £35k now. Someone who really knows what he's talking about suggested it could be over £40k now. Maybe not to UK buyers but the Japanese among others pay serious money for them.
If you can find a half decent car for less than £25k you're doing really well. I'd jump at one for that.
Values are rocketing. The very best cars (there may only be one or two examples that would qualify) are heading north of £35k now. Someone who really knows what he's talking about suggested it could be over £40k now. Maybe not to UK buyers but the Japanese among others pay serious money for them.
If you can find a half decent car for less than £25k you're doing really well. I'd jump at one for that.
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