Lately, the Lotus Esprit has popped up in some round-ups of supercars that remain surprisingly affordable – specifically, the later production versions equipped with a sonorous V8 powerplant. While many of these “lists” are often poorly constructed and researched, I’ll agree wholeheartedly that the V8-powered Esprit is tragically overlooked when discussing 90s-era supercars. This example here on eBay was purchased with accident damage and repaired, and it looks like a hoot and a half. Bidding sits at $25,000 with the reserve unmet.
This is an intriguing listing for a car we don’t see come up for sale very often. First of all, it’s incredibly refreshing to see the honest presentation of how the Lotus arrived with a damaged rear end that the seller notes lead to stress cracks in the rear fender and a break in the trunk floor behind the wheel well. The seller details out he repaired the Lotus “….by grinding and feathering the damaged areas to allow for 3 layers of 1 oz. matte.”
He also performed a color change, leaving the black paint behind and going with Polar Blue that appears to have extended into the door jams and under the hood along the inner fenders. The black leather interior is in fine shape, which is always a question mark when you’re talking about a car with accident damage that may have lived at a salvage auction lot for a spell. The seller doesn’t tell us how he came to acquire this Esprit, but it’s clear the cosmetic flaws on the outside didn’t affect the cockpit.
In addition to the cosmetic repairs, the engine was also removed and torn down. The seller details how he spotted some potential flaws surrounding the headgasket when he began digging into it, so he proceeded with a rebuild that included new ARP head studs, belts, pulleys, alternator, sensors, and more, and he also had the engine hardware re-plated in cadmium. The intake was powder-coated and the transmission case re-sealed with a fresh clutch installed. A ton of heavy lifting has been done here, and the test drive videos on YouTube certainly do nothing to hurt the appeal of this rare 90s supercar.
Bring a trailer.
Bring a lie detector. I smell fish. That is a ton of work just to flip it. I would like to be wrong but too much time on BF makes me wonder about some seller’s motivations.
3,000+ lbs. Looks even heavier.
Not quite Chapman’s vision.
The body wrap ads 10lbs, at least.
Heck, a picture of it weighs 10 lbs.
2 pictures is a little concerning.
So the seller bought it to fix and just flip it?
It has a reconstructed title, not something I’d consider.
Gar-bage
I wish it was still black.
But it does indeed sound like an honest presentation. If you’re a gifted mechanic and body man, fixing and flipping is a very fun and profitable enterprise. I’m not that gifted- more of a hobbyist – and I’ve doubled my money on more than one occasion.
There is nothing bargain about owning a Lotus. The 100 or 150 miles you drive in utter bliss are quickly erased by yet another gremlin coming to life resulting in another return home under alternative power
But just at those lines. I love them. James Bond did too. I would not know how top guess about this car, would have to depend on you guys.
Bill
Lots Of Trouble, Usually Serious. I’m amazed that he found anyone with the skills to work on that motor – usually you have to send them back to Rolex. Parts supply is right up there with hen’s teeth and frog hair.
Pretty car, though, and a rare interior that actually looks comfortable and modern. The little known Colin Chapman quote, “…when we get it light enough, we’ll consider making it comfortable…”
Unless it’s the “wet nelly” version, the price is too high…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeBqf6bYZak
Went to $31,600 reserve not met, 35 bids.
Relisted with a BIN of $70k or best offer.