1978 Lotus Esprit S2 JPS

• When first seen in concept form at the Turin Show in 1972, Giorgio Giugiaro's dart-shaped outline was breathtakingly modern
• Number 22/100 World Championship Commemorative Models built for the UK
• Restored to exacting standards over the past three years
• Comprehensive history file including a Lotus Certificate of Provenance
• A well-known car, Top Gear and Magazine featured
• Super rare opportunity to acquire an instantly recognizable, limited edition Esprit that is one of the best we have seen

The first, and arguably the most memorable, of the early Esprit limited-editions was officially dubbed the World Championship Commemorative Model, but is better known to enthusiasts as the John Player Special (JPS), as its distinctive Black and Gold livery was inspired by the ground effect, JPS-sponsored, championship-winning Lotus 79 cars of the period, as raced by Mario Andretti and Ronnie Petersen. It was originally planned to build 200 but in the end, it was believed that 185 were produced, 100 for the UK, 55 for the United States and 30 for Europe. The eye-catching specification included, Gold-coloured side stripes complete with “World Champion” lettering, Gold-coloured front and rear windscreen surrounds and alloy wheels, Gold-effect Corduroy seat inserts and a three-spoke leather rimmed steering wheel instead of the plastic offering. The “Juke Box” installed was a Hitachi Digi-One radio-cassette. The 1973cc, 16-valve DOHC engine delivered a feisty 160bhp which was sufficient to sprint the 1,980lb glassfibre-bodied, two-seater to 60mph in 6.8 seconds and on to a top speed of 124 mph. Production ran from December 1978 till July 1979.

DLH 393T was built on the 21st of December 1978 and supplied to Chipstead of Hampton Court, prior to being registered on the 20th of January 1979 and delivered to its first owner, Waverley Textiles Ltd.

This immaculate Lotus Esprit was badged “Number 22”, however, we understand from the Lotus Certificate of Vehicle Provenance that it was actually the 12th car manufactured, all detailed in the cars fascinating history file. The present custodian has cossetted this Esprit since 2017 and has lavished thousands on bringing the car back to a ‘Best of Breed’ standard. He had the bodywork stripped back to the gelcoat and freshly painted with a set of the original stripes and the alloy wheels refurbished to the exact Gold colouring of the original issue. S J Sports Cars of Crediton near Exeter have maintained this car since 2017 and within the history file, there are invoices to the tune of some £25,000 the most recent of which details a complete engine re-build, refurbished carburettors and a myriad of mechanical components along with a separate invoice for £3,000 relating to a whole host of trim parts to complete the re-build. This S2 has worn a few different number plates throughout the years, however, the current owner did successfully manage to obtain the original registration number which the Lotus now sports again.

Number 22 is quite a well-known car as, in addition to enjoying some fame on a pre-Clarkson ‘Top Gear’, and appearing in a YouTube clip (wearing its GJI reg) it was celebrated in an impressive 9-page feature in the January 2019 issue of Classic Cars, a copy of which resides in the history file.

The original tool wallet, jack and brace, correct spare wheel, and genuine full Lotus workshop manual are all where they should be and complete a very special package. Superbly presented and indicating only 67,295 miles, this is a serious car for a serious collector and requires just one thing… a new owner.