Club Lotus - Bucks, Berks & Oxon Area

For sale

Last updated 21st May 2009

FOR SALE: MY BELOVED LOTUS ESPRIT TURBO.

This is a 1988 Esprit Turbo in Calypso Red with Cream Leather interior.

She has covered 50, 500 miles. I have owned it for a little less than 2 years having covered less than 1000 miles in the last year.

Only for sale as growing family and two seats isn't quite enough!

I have spent an absolute fortune on this car - I've put a fairly detailed history below. If you want to know any more specifics then please just email me.

This is one of the cleanest examples of the Stevens shape Esprits - I spent almost a year trying to find a good one.

I bought the car (2 years ago) knowing the clutch would need replacing fairly soon, however the previous owner failed to inform me that the rev limiter had been disconnected. (reason for doing this is unknown - It works perfectly) Unfortunately the clutch went 4 weeks after my purchase causing the engine to rev up too high, hence the full rebuild by Steve Williams Motorsport (an independent Lotus Specialist).

The Engine was rebuilt using the following parts:
inlet camshaft housing
high compression head gasket set
new oil filter
new air filter
new fuel filter
full set of inlet valves
set of valve seats
valve spring retainers
valve springs
valve collets
spring seats
valve guides
cam followers
uprated cam belt
uprated, race spec piston and liner set
big end and main bearing shell set
up rated piston ring set
AP Racing Clutch kit
stainless steel braided clutch pipe - replaced the rubbish red plastic item!
new exhaust manifold (including studs gaskets etc)

The Engine was drained, flushed and filled with the correct Mobil 1 15/50 fully synthetic engine oil.

The gearbox was drained, flushed and refilled with the correct Castrol TAF-X oil

In addition to this work, in the two years i have owned the car i have carried out the following work to bring this car up to a superb standard:

stainless steel supersport exhaust system (fantastic sound although not too loud!)
uprated drilled and grooved brake discs all round.
uprated EBC greenstuff fast road brake pads all round
uprated, race spec fully adjustable aluminium dampers with uprated lowered and stiffer springs. (she sits approx 25 - 30mm lower than standard - this can be adjusted back to standard but i find it handles better sitting a little lower)
a brand new set of S4s 5 spoke 17" wheels with brand new Goodyear Eagle F1 tyres - bought from SouthWest Lotus
(the spare wheel has never been fitted to the car and still has factory labels attached!)
New stainless steel header tank with new pipework
New fuel breather pipes
PNM Engineering Polished Alloy dump valve and silicone pipework.
New uprated gear- linkage kit (fitted at both the gearstick end and the gearbox end) - drastically improved the previous standard sloppy changes.
Esprit logo-ed, high quality black footwell mats
new set of "Lotus Designed" front wing badges
new set of "Esprit Turbo" badges to each rear quarter
new headlining including recovered sun visors
new Thatcham approved Cobra Alarm System
new locking tailgate gas strut
a new set of exterior door handles - one had a dent in it so I replaced both sides with new lock barrels too.
polished stainless steel sill trims
stainless steel mesh insert fitted to rear valance (under bumper)
stainless steel mesh insert fitted to engine cover
new heater control graphic panel - shipped from New Zealand!
full brake fluid drain and refill with dot 5.1 fully synthetic brake fluid

Vast majority of parts have been sourced from SJ Sportscars or PNM Engineering.

I think I have covered most things - the previous owner also spend a lot of money with replacement alloy fuel tanks etc - i have a huge file full of bills, old MOTs etc etc.

She also has a JVC radio /cassette player with faceoff which is linked to a 6 disc cd changer in the glovebox.
The Nokia phone car kit will be removed before sale. (there hasn't been any holes drilled in dash to fit it by the way!)

The private plate is not included in this auction - it is a highly sought after ESPRIT plate (C5 PRT)- it will be negotiable with the winning bidder if wanted, however it will stay on the car for the time being - makes sense if the winning bidder wants it to not remove it.

There are a small number of stone chips on the front end, as is the usual with these low sportscars - they have been touched in very very carefully using genuine lotus touch-up paint.

The air-con is not great - to be honest I've never used it - I think the pipes that run through the chassis tend to get corroded and become porous so they leak the coolant. Its never been a problem for me - much nicer the pop the removable glass roof out, stow it in the boot and listen to the engine as you drive along!

Oh i do also have the storage bag for the glass roof and the wind deflector that fits in its place - in as new condition.

I also have the drivers handbook and the jack, wheel brace etc in genuine storage bag)

The first owner had a genuine Esprit SE rear spoiler fitted at a huge price (bill in the file)

If you would like anymore info please just ask and I will do my best to answer.

This car drives like new, I have had no problems since the engine work, it is great fun to drive - it never goes out in the wet and lives in a garage under a lotus car cover.

I would strongly recommend that you view the car, I will be very happy to take anyone out for a test drive but you will not be allowed to drive it unless you bring with you proof of your insurance that covers you to drive my car and also a £500 cash deposit - just in case. Sorry to be like that but this is my pride and joy and I don't want to take any risks.
Absolutely no tyre kickers or joy riders - please email me to discuss any offers.

Tony (07767 301778)

tony_martin1001@hotmail.com
Car located - Buckland, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.