1981 Essex Commemorative Lotus Esprit Turbo

• The first factory-built Esprit Turbo was named after Lotus F1 sponsors, the Essex Overseas Petroleum Corporation
• Right-hand drive. Recent recipient of an 18-month, £40k + restoration to exacting standards
• Huge picture file detailing the restoration with bills, receipts and magazine articles.
• Also included is an Auto Art 1:18 model of the Essex, a run made in the same numbers as original car, and this is also #17
• One of only 7 still on the road today, this may well be the only time one of these extremely rare and collectable cars come to the open market

In February 1980, the Essex Commemorative Lotus Esprit Turbo, to give it its full title, was launched distinctively finished in the blue, red and chrome livery of the Essex Overseas Petroleum Corporation, the sponsor of Team Lotus from 1979 to 1981. While Lotus dealer Bell and Colvill had been offering turbo conversions for the S2 Esprit from as early as 1978, the Essex Turbo Esprit was the first factory-turbocharged Esprit. They were fitted with the dry-sump Type 910 engine which had a power output of 210bhp at 6,250 rpm and 200 lb.ft of torque at 4,500 rpm enabling 0-60 mph in just over six seconds and a top speed of 150 mph.
The chassis and rear suspension were redesigned, with an upper link added at the rear to alleviate strain on the half-shafts. The brakes were also improved. Giugiaro designed an aerodynamic body kit for the car, with a rear lip spoiler, prominent louvered rear hatch, more substantial bumpers, a deeper front airdam, and air ducts in the sills just ahead of the new three-piece 15-inch Compomotive rear wheels. Inside, scarlet leather combined with a roof-mounted Panasonic stereo for a dramatic environment. 45 Essex Turbo Esprit cars were built, interspersed and followed by a number of non-Essex-liveried but otherwise identical specification dry-sump turbo cars.

Silverstone Auctions are very excited to offer this very special, Esprit Turbo Essex to the market, the first and maybe only time we might be lucky enough to offer one given their rarity. Number #17 of the 45 produced, the DVLA now confirms that only 7 are registered on the road today. Delivered new to the UK on the 9th January 1981, this special right-hand drive car was owned by the same family for the majority of its life. During a lot of this time it was in storage off the road as they simply couldn’t bear to part with it, however, the time came eventually to pass it on and it was purchased by its current owner a couple of years ago.

Upon taking delivery of the car the current owner set about an 18 month £40k plus restoration to his exacting standards. We could go on and on about the restoration, but we encourage all interested parties to come and see the car at the auction and let the results speak for themselves. There is a huge picture file detailing the work done including bills, receipts and magazine articles. Also included is an Auto Art 1:18 model of the Essex, a run made in the same numbers as the original car, and the model included is #17, a highly appropriate partner to its big brother, the car on offer here today #17.

Put simply, this may well be the only time one of these extremely rare and collectable British sportscars comes to the open market and we strongly encourage all interested parties to come to the March auction and view #17 for themselves.