1983 Lotus Turbo Esprit Series 3 Coupé

• Collectible modern Lotus
• Present ownership for the last 28 years,
• Extensively recommissioned in 2022
• Cherished registration 'W 28' included

Among the longest running of post-war sports cars, the Esprit first surfaced as a Giorgetto Giugiaro-designed Ital Design project car at the 1972 Turin Motor Show, the silver prototype having come about following a chance encounter between Giugiaro and Lotus boss Colin Chapman. The car was well received, and following a protracted development programme finally entered production in 1976.
The Esprit metamorphosed through several series over the next two decades, gaining a 2.2-litre engine, turbo-charged induction, and a new more rounded body design along the way, before the model's ultimate expression - the V8 - arrived in 1996. Lotus had first employed turbocharged induction in 1980 on the Essex Turbo Esprit, a limited edition model featuring the blue/red/chrome livery of the Essex Overseas Petroleum Corporation, sponsor of Team Lotus from 1979 to 1981.
The Essex paved the way for the series production Turbo Esprit, the arrival of which in April 1981 coincided with that of the S3 models. Despite having a wet sump, the Turbo's 2.2-litre Garrett-blown engine produced the same power (210bhp) as the Essex's dry sump unit. The Turbo Esprit retained the aerodynamic body kit of the Essex cars and featured prominent 'Turbo Esprit' decals on the nose and sides. The Turbo's top speed was 148mph, with 60mph attainable in 6.1 seconds. In 1987, the Esprit was comprehensively restyled by Peter Stevens, who produced a less angular, more rounded and much more modern look, its arrival coinciding with a change of name for the turbocharged car to 'Esprit Turbo'.

This Turbo Esprit has been in the present ownership for the last 28 years, and in the late 1990s made two trips to Le Mans. The current owner's family were Lotus Service Dealers in period, and also maintained the vehicle for the previous owner. The car was recommissioned in 2022, including extensive engine works and replacement of various components:

• Cylinder head gasket and core plugs
• Timing belt
• Water pump
• Turbo reconditioned by Turbo Technics
• Waste gate
• All new aluminium water pipes and hoses
• New aluminium header tank
• Carburettors and inlet manifold reconditioned
• New aluminium fuel tanks, pipes and hoses
• New rear brake calipers, handbrake cables and all new flexible brake pipes
• New clutch fitted around eight years ago (minimal mileage since)
• New brake servo and master cylinder fitted around eight years ago

Only 20,808 miles have been covered from new, and the car's excellent overall condition reflects this sparing usage. Spax shock absorbers and the aforementioned alloy fuel tank are the only notified deviations from factory specification. The cherished and very valuable registration 'W 28', formerly owned by Mr Julian Wintle (producer of the 1960s TV series The Avengers) is included in the sale.