Parked for 5 Years: 1977 Lotus Esprit S1

Colin Chapman was a lateral thinker whose innovative ideas forever changed the world of motorsport. He knew cars with modest engine power could offer excellent performance if every excess ounce was pruned away, coining the iconic phrase, “simplify and add lightness.” This 1977 Lotus Esprit S1 is a perfect example of that philosophy. It has spent five years in storage but is a complete classic the seller believes should be a straightforward restoration project. It is worth a close look because it could be the British sports car of your dreams.

Lotus introduced the Esprit in 1976 as its replacement for the Europa. Penned by Giorgetto Giugiaro, there is barely a curve on its body. The styling would later evolve to provide a “softer” appearance, although many enthusiasts feel these early cars are the purest examples of the Esprit. The fiberglass body rids atop a steel backbone chassis, which gives the car a claim to fame. John DeLorean employed Chapman as an external contractor when developing the ill-fated vehicle carrying his name. Chapman provided significant technical and engineering input, and the result was that the DeLorean rode on a modified Esprit frame. The seller indicates that this Lotus recently emerged after a five-year hibernation, and is ripe for restoration. Assessing the state of its Yellow paint below the dust layer is difficult, but washing the car may reveal that the paint and fiberglass are good enough to make preservation viable. The most critical factor will be the state of the frame because rust can take its toll. If that is structurally sound, this build might be relatively straightforward. The glass is in good order, and the alloy wheels may respond well to polish.

The seller supplies no engine photos in their listing, but it appears this Esprit is mechanically unmolested. That means that power should come from a mid-mounted 1,969cc Lotus twin-cam four that produced 140hp and 130 ft/lbs of torque in its prime. The power feeds through a five-speed manual transaxle to the rear wheels, and the question of outright performance brings us to a pair of important points to consider. Compliance with American emission regulations resulted in the engine developing 20hp less than its European sibling. Safety legislation also took its toll, because while European cars tipped the scales at 2,116 lbs, those sold in the US weighed 2,348 lbs. Those factors meant that while a Euro Esprit could cover the ¼ mile in 15 seconds on its way to 138mph, our feature car’s figures would have been 16.1 seconds and 120mph when it was shiny and new. Some readers will grind their teeth when I say that the seller claims the Lotus ran when parked. That day was five years ago, but they see no reason why it couldn’t be revived with little effort. It will undoubtedly require other work before the buyer would deem it roadworthy, but the indications are promising.

It would be fair to describe this Esprit’s interior as tired, but it would take a deep clean to determine what requires replacement. Some upholstered items are candidates for the bin, and the seller floats the idea that a complete retrim would be the best option. The process won’t be cheap, but since these classics are hand-built, there shouldn’t be any tasks the new owner couldn’t complete in a home workshop.

The Lotus Esprit S1 could easily have fallen through the automotive cracks, but its star turn in the James Bond film, The Spy Who Loved Me, brought the car to the attention of millions. This 1977 Esprit is listed here on eBay in Phoenix, New York. Bidding sits below the reserve at $8,200, although plenty of time remains in this auction for the figure to climb. It will undoubtedly top $10,000 and could command a value beyond $50,000 if restored to a high standard. Are those thoughts enough to tempt you, or will you remain an interested observer?