2001 Lotus Esprit Turbo

Highlights

• 3.5-litre V8, twin-turbocharged

• Superb and meticulous service record

• 57,257 miles on the clock, verified by the service and MOT records

• One of just over 200 made

• Stunning Mustard Yellow Metallic paintwork

Overview

Many good things have come out of Norfolk. Reasonably priced meats that may or may not be mostly comprised of turkey, numerous treasure hoards, one extremely angry Iceni queen and Delia Smith, to name but a few.

However, the greatest Norfolk export has to be the wondrous to drive, fabulous to look at and light-as-a-feather sports cars that hail from Hethel. As the home of Lotus, it’s seen the production of not only some of Britain’s (nay, the world’s) finest sports cars and race cars, but some of the greatest driving machinery to ever turn a wheel.

When contemplating Lotus, most people will likely think of dainty F1 cars from the 60s, the unfeasibly dinky Elan or the unsurpassed Elise. However, being folks of some distinction and taste, our minds immediately run to the none-more-wedgy Esprit. Originally penned by none other than Giugiaro, this iconic sports car was an instant bedroom poster classic thanks to a combination of futuristic styling and some underwater cinematic action. Oh yes, it was also incredible to drive.

As the years passed, the design was refined by Peter Stevens (he of McLaren F1 fame) before some modest styling tweaks were made by Julian Thomson for the final variant, the S4. Which is what we have here. And it’s not just any S4, this is the V8-GT. Just over 200 were made and it is, in no uncertain terms, precisely the one you want.

Presented in excellent condition inside and out, with an unimpeachable service record and vast history, you’ll struggle to find a nicer example. You may have noticed it’s also metallic mustard yellow. Which really is just the nicest cherry on an already very tasty cake.

Pop-ups, a vast rear wing, wedge styling, staggered-size alloys, a brilliant history and paintwork the colour of sunshine and joy itself. Oh yes, and a sodding great V8 with a brace of Garrett turbochargers strapped to it, kicking a ruthless 350bhp through the rear tyres of a car that weighs less than 1,400Kg. That means this 25 year old sports car can quite comfortably scare the living daylights out of modern performance machinery costing ten times as much. And it’s cooler.

We need a little lie down. You may need to add it to your garage. We’d certainly like to…

History and documentation

• Registered March 2001

• Present owner since September 2023, 7 previous owners

• Current mileage 57,257 miles, verified by the MOT and service records

• Current MOT with no advisories expires 27 March 2027 – no advisories at all since 2010

• Stamped service book with services as follows: March 2001 @ 1,258 miles; October 2001 @ 5,662 miles; February 2002 @ 12,862 miles, June 2002 @ 17,641 miles; July 2003 @ 23,964 miles; June 2005 @ 27,408 miles; June 2006 @ 28,616 miles; July 2007 @ 30,344 miles; July 2008 @ 32,394 miles; July 2009 @ 33,944 miles; July 2010 @ 34,447 miles; August 2011 @ 34,880 miles; July 2012 @ 35,106 miles; July 2013 @ 37,424 miles; July 2014 @ 38,654 miles; July 2015 @ 40,800 miles; July 2016 @ 41,772 miles; July 2017 @ 43,569 miles; June 2019 @ 46,201 miles; February 2022 @ 46,988 miles

• We’re told that the cambelt and turbos were renewed about 5,000 miles ago in 2024

• The car appears to have been SORN during the pandemic (2020-2022)

• Full document pack

• Enormous collection of invoices and paperwork detailing servicing and maintenance

• Lotus Certificate of Provenance

• Fifth from last V8-GT for the UK market, last of two 2001 V8-GTs in Mustard Yellow

• Key with Cobra alarm fob

• V5 present in owner’s name

• Private registration included in the sale

• 3x trophies from Tatton Park Classic Car Spectacular – 2013, 2015 and 2019

• HPI clear

• London ULEZ compliant

Interior

• Factory option black leather upholstery, which looks to be in fine condition, with some gentle patination and creasing, but no tears or sagging we could identify

• Black carpets and overmats, all in excellent condition with no threading or staining we could see

• Factory option air conditioning

• Electric side windows and door mirrors

• The vendor tells us that there is an intermittent fault on the driver’s window, which they believe to be a faulty relay; they also inform us that the rear view mirror needs to be replaced

• Alpine radio/CD head unit with aux and USB inputs, Alpine speakers

• The dashboard, vinyl trim and door cards are all in fine fettle, with a couple of minor blemishes, but overall they are in excellent condition for their age

• All of the interior trim and switchgear presents well, without any damage or notable wear

• Rear boot space is neatly trimmed out with dark grey carpet

• ‘Frunk’ space contains a spacesaver spare wheel

• We are assured that everything in the cabin operates as it should, with no issues or faults reported with any of the instruments or switchgear

Exterior

• Stunning Mustard Yellow Metallic paintwork (absolutely the best colour for the S4 Esprit, and we’ll brook no counter-arguments)

• The paint is in very good order, with a deep shine and only a handful of minor blemishes and stone chips

• GFRP bodywork over a steel chassis, resulting in a frankly ridiculous weight of less than 1,400Kg

• All of the body panels look to be straight and undamaged, alignment is good and all the panel gaps appear to be even and consistent

• The external trim and badging is all complete and free from notable wear or damage

• Similarly, the glass elements and light lenses are all clean and clear, free from misting or significant cracks

• Iconic design elements, such as the pop-up lights and high-level rear wing

• Removable / pop-up roof panel for targa-style motoring

• Staggered size, six-spoke alloy wheels (17-inch front, 18-inch rear) which are in superb condition with no evidence of kerb rash or lacquer peel

• Matched set of Yokohama Advan tyres (225/45 front and 295/30 rear), which look to have good tread depth and no obvious sidewall damage

Mechanical

• 3,506cc V8 with twin Garrett turbochargers

• Rear-wheel drive

• 5-speed manual transmission

• Factory performance figures: 350bhp, 295lb-ft, 175mph top speed, c.4.5 seconds 0-62mph

• Fabulous service and MOT record and low mileage

• Very clean engine bay and mechanicals

• The vendor tells us that a new cambelt and turbos were fitted about 5,000 miles ago (in 2024)

• Sports cat and straight-through rear exhaust (OEM rear silencer will also come with the car)

• AP Racing brakes

• The car sounds incredible, and we’re informed that it starts, idles and drives just as it should, with no known mechanical issues or problems

Summary

Well now, we have a dilemma. Because, on the one hand, it’s our job to help the vendor sell this car to one of you. Obviously we want to do that, because the vendor is lovely, the car is excellent and we love you all (really we do).

On the other hand, we adore the V8-GT, and this is the nicest example we’ve seen in years. It’s also bright yellow, and all the best sports cars are bright yellow, this is a universal truth. So we want it. We want it so much that we’ve started doing hasty, scribbled maths and asking our partners if living in a caravan or parting with a kidney could be an option.

No, it’s no good, we’re afraid one of you is going to have to fall on your sword and buy this stunning, beautifully maintained, gorgeously specified modern classic. You’ll have to spend your weekends and holidays having the absolute time of your life, turning heads, revelling in that V8 turbo thunder. It’s the only way to save us from a very awkward conversation with a life partner.

Damn it. 

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Rochford, Essex.