Running Project: 1978 Lotus Esprit S1

When Giorgetto Giugiaro penned the lines for the Lotus Esprit, it appears that he may have only had access to a pencil and a ruler. The design was hard-edged, with barely a curve anywhere. The look divided opinions, but it has stood the test of time forty-eight years after this 1978 Esprit S1 left the factory. This British classic runs and drives, requiring some mechanical attention to perform at its best. The seller has listed the Lotus here on eBay in Seattle, Washington. Bidding has passed the reserve, sitting at $14,600 at the time of writing.

Lotus learned many lessons with the Europa, refining the concept to produce the Esprit. Both featured a relatively light backbone chassis and a molded fiberglass body, and both had low curb weights to enhance performance. The seller’s father purchased this 1979 Esprit in the 1990s, taking possession of a car that had suffered fire damage. He repaired the non-structural problems before applying a fresh coat of Monaco White paint. During the process, he added European bumpers, a front spoiler extension, and rear hatch louvers. The seller admits that close inspection will reveal minor cosmetic issues, making this Lotus a prime candidate for a cosmetic refresh that would cost little if the winning bidder adopts a DIY approach. They don’t mention frame issues, but it is worth checking the body mounts, as they can deteriorate. The back window is scratched, but the louvers hide the problem. The remaining glass is in good condition.

It is disappointing that the seller provides no engine photos, as this is the area that could pose the most significant challenge for the new owner. Lotus utilized its in-house “907” DOHC four-cylinder powerplant to power the Esprit. Its 1,973cc capacity and quoted power output of 140hp don’t appear to promise excitement, but with the Esprit weighing around 2,350 lbs, it is a surprise packet. The mid-mounted four sends its power to the road via a five-speed Citroën manual transaxle. It is worth noting that this car could produce slightly more power, as the current owner has updated the motor by fitting twin Dellorto carburetors. This beauty runs and drives, but has a mysterious mechanical malady. The motor loses power once it reaches operating temperature, and replacing the fuel filter, cleaning the carburetors, and flushing the tank has made no difference. The issue could be electrical or due to vaporization. It requires detective work, but it could take more time than money to address.

Slipping behind the Esprit’s wheel, the driver’s view is dominated by an enormous gauge cluster, visible through the chunky sports wheel. The dials help monitor the car’s mechanical health and are typical sports car fare. The seller indicates that their father replaced the seatcovers, door panels, and the top of the gauge binnacle. The rest of the interior is original and presents surprisingly well. There are no major cosmetic issues, only a few functional faults. The light switch requires “jiggling” to work, and the current owner removed the air conditioning system. They include the components to reinstate the A/C, which would be wise since cabin ventilation isn’t one of the Esprit’s strong points.

The Esprit proved to be one of Lotus’ most successful models, evolving and remaining in production from 1976 until 2004. Early cars divided opinion due to their styling. Lotus updated the shape during its model life, softening hard edges to modernize the look while retaining the distinctive wedge profile. This 1978 Esprit S1 could be an excellent project candidate if the winning bidder can isolate the cause of its mechanical problem. And it will have a new owner, because it has passed the reserve. Are you tempted to make a play for this Lotus, or will you give it a wide berth?