Sent in new directions by the popularity of placing a car’s engine in its mid-section, auto designers of the 1970s were winnowing down the frontal area of cars right and left. The Lotus Esprit owes its striking looks to a Maserati concept car, called the Boomerang. Giorgetto Giugiaro designed the Boomerang in 1971, and it was shown extensively throughout Europe. Of course, that kind of exposure creates quite a buzz, so when Giugiaro was hired to create the next mid-engined Lotus, Colin Chapman expressed an interest in the sharp lines of the Maserati – perhaps that kind of look could be adopted for Lotus’ new production car? Indeed. A few years’ worth of delays later, the Lotus Esprit Series 1 was introduced at the 1975 Paris Motor Show. The car looked fast and handled phenomenally well, but its small four-cylinder engine was a disappointment when stacked next to the Bora, the Ferrari 308, or the Pantera – though all of these cost more, serving to propel sales of the Esprit despite its deficits. Here on craigslist is a mechanically refurbished, cosmetically original 1977 Esprit S1 with an asking price of $28,000, tip courtesy of Mitchell G. This Esprit is located in Camden, North Carolina.

Speaking of the engine, here it is, the “Torqueless Wonder”, aka the Lotus 907. The 1973 cc DOHC four-cylinder was developed from a Vauxhall cylinder block and installed first in the Jensen-Healey. The poor J-H did not benefit from becoming the test bed for the early 907, as problems eventually cratered sales and sent the otherwise worthy sports car to an early grave. By the time the 907 was used in the Esprit, its worst issues were ironed out. Hung off the US -delivered Esprit were dual Zenith carburetors, helping the engine generate about 140 hp (Euro cars sported Dell’Orto’s). Vauxhall supplied brakes and the front suspension; the rear half shafts were affixed to the transaxle, transmitting road forces to the engine/transaxle mounting. The transaxle itself was a part of the Citroen family, offering four speeds. As noted, this car was completely mechanically rebuilt; videos supplied in the listing show it drives impressively.

Lotus interiors remind me of Austin Powers – groovy, baby! This one does not let us down, with an orange carpet, plaid fabric seating, plastic dash, and green-faced Veglia gauges. The headliner has been removed but a new one comes with the car. Unfortunately, Lotus let us down in the quality department, and finishes are known for fading, tearing, cracking….

… kind of like the paint. On the other hand, the car comes with its original and rare Wolfrace wheels that appear to be in good shape. The new owner will need to source the correct gas caps. The conundrum presented here is – restore, or not? A restoration would turn the economics upside down in a hurry. I wouldn’t do a thing except drive it, but each to his own. Let us know what you think.