This 1977 Lotus Esprit S1 is described as a long dormant project that’s been sitting in the seller’s barn for 20 years waiting for its shot at restoration. It reminds me of the very real possibility of acquiring a project with the best of intentions and then having two decades quickly go by with no progress made. Regardless, the body looks to be in good condition but the drivetrain needs re-assembly and the interior looks damp. While these cars can be expensive to restore, solid projects like this one here on craigslist are not always easy to find. It’s listed for $13,000 in Chicago.
Thanks to Barn Finds reader Roger for the find. The seller notes the bumper covers are in rough condition but that spares show up on occasion on eBay. I’d skip that and use it as an opportunity to source a set of European bumpers that look much, much better. The seller believes that the mileage is genuine at 14,400, but even for a project, the cosmetics appear more fitting for a car with two or three times that mileage. The mid-engine design followed Lotus’ obsession with perfect balance and light-weight, and an S1 car may be the purest manifestation of that vision.
Still, the S1 wasn’t overly powerful, with U.S. cars dishing out about 140 b.h.p. This was one of the biggest gripes about the S1, with road test reviewers obviously lauding the car for its handling, but criticized it for being underpowered. The interior still left no questions as to this car’s sporting intentions, with low-slung bucket seats and a dash cluster clearly built around the driver. The interior strikes me as being somewhat damp, but I will freely admit to having no proof of that; it’s more that the surfaces of the dash and glovebox area all look to be experiencing weathering of some kind.
There are some buttons missing and wiring that’s been ripped out. The seller also notes that the engine did run but poorly, so he had the carburetors rebuilt but hasn’t yet installed them; I’m guessing that’s when he lost interest in the project and perhaps decided to concentrate on vehicles that can actually be used. The steering wheel looks quite moldy/grimy, so an extensive interior detailing should be on the next owner’s list, who hopefully won’t need twenty years to get around to working on it.
Good looking car. I would definitely consider taking this on. However, a couple of major as well as important areas are not shown in the ad; the engine bay and the under belly. Certainly a must to secure the deal. I agree with Jeff on the European bumper choice. That would bring this S-1 to its best presentation. So far as the powerplant is concerned, you can get creative by freshening up and fine tuning for the best “vintage speed” results. Continue to innovate not duplicate…
Since the body if fiberglass much of the problems of rust will not be an issue and the repair of the frame is straight forward. Most frames were galvanized and it is rare that one is in really bad shape. All of the parts needed for restoration can be had but the wiring is troubling.
It is not uncommon for there to be leaks in the windshield area over time. I suspect that and simple condensation is the cause for what looks like mold. Lotus did not use the greatest materials on the interior. That being said if you fit they are very comfortable.
To anybody that purchases this car, take out the gas tanks and check them for rust. Lotus put a small amount of foam on the bottom to keep noise down and many of those foam parts have adsorbed water and have caused small pin hole rust area. The smell of gas is the best sign of that but check anyway. Replacement tanks are available for all Esprits as it is a common problem. The tanks are joined so you can fill up by either side which is far more useful than you might think
Even with low power these are fun and capable of high speeds just are not fast off the line. Replace ALL plastic lines in the engine compartment. ESPECIALLY FUEL LINES. These had a habit of leaking as well as the plastic connectors which caused many fires on the early cars. There are not that many vacuum lines but replace all of those. With the exception of electrical problems these then to be very reliable cars if you keep them up.
Do not plan on being alone, gas stations are places you will meet many new people, shopping centers, grocery stores. They are great for every day driving but more often than not you will have people take photos of you at every time you stop for a stop sign. They are so much fun to drive.
Had one. Black. Bought new at Cincinnati Airport. Drove it 2,000 miles about home. Lotus in Calif said I was blessed because I took it out of town, let alone cross country.
It was for the wife.
Max speed limit back then, a seriously stupid, 55.
Impossible to go that slow. Dual 8 gallon fuel tanks for balance.
Got around 35 mpg at 100.
Was faster in 4 th gear than overdrive.
I out cornered Porsche, Ferrari, etc.
To take off fast, you had to ride the hydraulic clutch.
Oh ya, wife drove it to work. Oh well, it got her out my 69 Hemi Charger 500 she drove to work. All this in 77-78. This Lotus was under a tarp and held all moisture from the ground to ruin it. Car could not breathe. Humidity and rain. No drying time
Blessed taking it out of town LOL!
Is this the car Roger Moore aka James Bond drive in the “Spy who loved me “ and was made into a submarine?
Yes.
Funny thing … the shape of a vehicle, especially a “sport car” is for creating ground force with the overflowing air … which in a submarine meant, even level, was always being pushed down. If you get a chance to watch that movie again… check out the angle of attack of the dive planes … always point up at a drastic angle …
Seems overpriced. Those Gotti wheels gotta go. The original Speedlines were killer. But…that’s the least of your concerns here!
I like the Gotti wheels, very period correct.
I think it is a little overpriced.
Trivia question. What car are the tail lights from?
Fiat X1/9. Add the yellow turn lens
Yes, that is one for Joe.
X1/9 switched between yellow and reed lenses depending on the market, current legislation and what I think Luigi felt like putting on that day.
tail lights look like they came from a Family Truckster …
ford station wagon ?
Get it running and try the advert again.
Quote from No # 6 aka :
The Prisoner and cool Lotus driver
There’s absolutely proof of dampness, steering wheel is moldy and there’s visible water drops on the dash and passenger seat.
What kind of M-Fer gets a lotus and decides to store it outdoors? I mean the licence plate is freakin ancient!.
I imported a USA Esprit S1 into the UK. last year. A couple of points – The S1 didn’t have a galvanised chassis, so this would definately need checking out. Rear lights are from a Fiat x19. The original wheels were Wolfrace. Speedlines came in on the S2. Having owned and drive a Lotus Eclat for the last 25 years, Im used to people’s reactions (thumbs up, big grins, photos etc). However the S1 takes this to another level!
Bang on Lez. I have just completed the restoration of an ex USA, California car and converted it to UK spec, but left it with left hand drive. Just about to start to a second on which came from Boston complete with original Tartan interior. Price on this one is pretty cheap though.
The end of ……
“The Man with the Empty Wallet”
but the Lotus Esprit will return in…..
” The Car that Bankrupted Me”
IF the chassis is good it could be a neat project. S1’s have gone up in value quite a bit lately — so for me it would be hard to decide what exactly to do with it. It would be neat to put in a 3.5 Rover V8 engine in the thing — which is something people have done before — there was even a kit avail to help you do it. … but at the same time with the S1’s going up in value it might be wise to keep the stock motor and transmission in the car. The price seems a little high to me — seems like it’s worth closer or 7,000 or 8,000 bucks to me. If it’s been sitting outside in Chicago for 20+ years I would be worried about frame rot.
Moldy crap worth less tan 5 grand
Nice Ferrari in the garage
With all the new higher horsepower fuel injected engines readily available now , not necessarily an ls , it would seem like a good idea to replace the underpowered lump and get reliability and power at the same time …i ve had an x18, a few boxsters and a few mr2’s and the pleasure of a mid mounted engine is awesome…
Has anyone looked at this car in person? I am in the market but out of state and hate to make the drive to find a rusted out chassis.