1978 Lotus Esprit

Description

This is a onetime, no-relist, no-reserve, ten-day auction of a sports coupe very rarely up for bid (with active seller cooperation in shipping anywhere in the continental USA and, please be advised, buyer-provided arrangements or pickup at a San Francisco Bay Area mid-peninsula garage locale). Featuring pricing at a starting point just a fraction of its value (with regard to scarcity, condition and contemporary appeal and soaring appreciation and collector value as one of few affordable exotic mid-engine sports coupes), the opportunity to own this automotive treasure is before you. So let the race to the finish of this auction begin…
Gentlemen, start your bidding!
Presenting eBay’s car collector community the highly exceptional and original 007-approved Lotus Esprit Series 1 with new engine overhaul, premium paint, interior, tires, the works! No rust or damage to body, frame or anywhere on or in the vehicle. (Note: Work and condition imperfections or blemishes are disclosed in full as this seller always has since (over the past quarter-century successfully delivering an early 18
th
century Austrian violin; a restored 1965 Pontiac GTO convertible; an early Sixties lefty Hofner 500/1 lefty Beatle bass signed by Sir Paul McCartney; an engineering and design model of an “experimental” Breitling Swiss watch once owned by then Breitling Owner/CEO Théodore (“Teddy”) Schneider; and many more items uncommon and rare) selling on our long-lasting trailblazing eBay auction platform since 1996
—
with 100% praise from day one.)
This restored1978 Lagoon Blue Lotus Esprit S1 (with only 28k miles) features the small but mighty Lotus workhorse 907 normally-aspirated four-cylinder 2.0-liter D.O.H.C. engine with original (and overhauled) Zenith Stromberg Carburetors, new cam belt with timing adjustment to spec and correctly restored stock engine paint (all with zero miles since completion).
With just 28,972 miles and two owners (and in the early Esprit’s highly desirable
Lagoon Blue L12
, a color said to be inspired by Ferrari’s enviable
Blue Sera
Metallic 504
)
—
the Esprit is finished
in multi-stage Fiberglas-body primer and base coat/clear coat to Lotus paint specs since its original Lagoon Blue paint surface in time had developed small cracks and had faded badly)
—
this first-edition of the renowned Esprit S1 features a new leather interior in the style of the original interior (an uncomfortable and unattractive brown cloth and sandpaper-like faux suede that begged to be replaced with a modern and comfortable interior) and is presented on eBay to you starting on Sunday, the Fourth of July.
New performance tires, original polished Wolfrace wheels, original mirrors, windscreen, engine (included freshly and professionally rebuilt Zenith Stromberg carburetors with a K&N air filter assembly in place… the engine running smoothly and starting easily and idling (and revving) wonderfully. As the photos show, this Esprit has similar appeal as any random white James Bond 007 cliché car as it’s an original in nearly original condition (except for vast body paint and interior improvements with any flaws disclosed below as stated).
Important advisory for California-based potential bidders: This first-generation American-bound Esprit
—
technically titled year 1977 but its titled issued as year 1978 in New Jersey as one of the last (for the seller from whom I purchased in 1994 claimed was the very
last
USA/Japan-delivered S1)
—
is not exempt from state smog requirements and while being offered on two occasions to smog it (for $300 and $400 respectively) the new owner must understand this before attempting to license it for use on public roads in California. Therefore, the new owner is advised to meet California’s requirements to drive here or, of greater practicality and convenience, live in any of the other 48 states. For this reason (and many other reasons and if you’re from California you know what this means) please keep this in mind.
Be sure to ask any questions so that we can improve this present and future listing description to ensure everyone considering owning one of the finest USA-spec Lotus Esprit S1’s around knows before bidding their best offer exactly what they’re about to own. On request, links to a sound file of the engine start and hum will be provided. We’ll also supply summaries of its history in detail and the many top engineers and mechanics who worked on this restoration project (including two former Lotus factory employees). (My total dollar investment, though immaterial to your bid offer, is nevertheless undisclosed since this seller wishes to stay happily married for I dare not risk any of my less than idyllic in-laws informing her.)
Other features include brand-new correct color and pile black interior (cab and rear) carpeting and, from Sports Car World, a pair of custom-fitted durable ABS bumpers (as the original foam-style bumpers that wore poorly after many years). Other bonuses and features are detailed in this listing of such a beautiful (and beautifully handling) 1978 Lotus Esprit S1.
A bonnie and most affordable original restored and running Esprit S1 may be missing inconsequential insignia (as pictured; note lost by the painters) and the new owner may wish to add to or change the vehicle after completing ownership transfer but this vehicle is an incredibly fun car to drive (and especially to be seen driving) and, with a width greater than Lotus founder Colin Chapman’s height (6’4”) it truly corners on rails (in reference to the film, “Pretty Woman”)… however, this car doesn’t operate as as a submarine (in reference to the James Bond 007 film, “The Spy Who Loved Me”).
Very special note (of keen interest to the eventually winning bidder)…
Your winning auction lot, in addition to including the indispensable Lotus Esprit shop manual, also features a collection of rare and expensive original Lotus first-edition books worth hundreds (note a list of all materials TBS before this auction ends) and further includes some Lotus Remarque (and the local Golden Gate Lotus Club) materials, a collection of scale-model Esprit’s and Lotus branded clothing featuring Italdesign founder
Giorgetto Giugiaro
-signed Lotus cap and shirt acquired in person at the 1995 Lotus (as featured mark) event held in Monterrey, CA, in conjunction with the famed
Concours d’Elegance
automobile pageant and auction held at the same time in nearby Pebble Beach (where I met Signore Giugiaro and the Lotus chief). These items will be listed with details and photos well before the auction ends.)
General Notes (the primary note being this reminder: Ask any questions before bidding)…
All mechanical, electrical, body/paint and cosmetic work documented with links to written materials available on request.
The vehicle doesn’t have AC but the fan works as do two of three radiator fans behind the front spoiler.
The o
riginal undamaged but aged rubberized plastic urethane foam front and rear bumpers feature durable ABS bumper covers to protect the originals. Note: Advise new owner reseal cover trim by method of choice.
All photos in this auction were taken during a session at the seller’s house in Woodside and as such are presented unretouched or altered in any way (and the windscreen wiper across the glass was
accidental but bear in mind, as already disclosed, the wiper presently doesn’t work.
The motor bench-tests operational but the wiper doesn’t activate. (Old wiper column electronics assembly replaced with a NOS unit but still doesn’t work so the cause, whether minor or not, is for the new owner to address and repair (or drive only on clear days… and that’s not an attempt at humor but a realistic suggestion).
The Esprit S1 has been stored in an environmentally controlled garage in San Carlos since its mechanical, interior and body/cosmetic restoration.
Among known potential buyer interest are…
Re the subject interior and exterior trim tab…
A
ll
original
interior
chrome
trim
pieces
were
safeguarded
and
re installed
in
the
new
leather
interior. The
interior was replaced for many reasons: The original seats and interior surrounding driver/passenger compartment looked like a bad Seventies movie (and, more significantly, the seats felt dreadful as if sitting on and moving against sandpaper).
Note: This vehicle is not sold as a show entry in original condition but as a Seventies exotic within middle-class financial means (to acquire and maintain) that uses full advantage of the latest technology and betterment to improve cool-running performance, comfort and, with apologies to Lotus and Italdesign, great improvement in appearance.
Re the ESPRIT decal, besides its new very light beige (almost white) leather interior, the decal “ESPRIT” was purposely not added but are available at nominal cost to the new owner if one wishes to add them.
Re a
ntenna, a
vintage Esprit-correct after-market replacement antenna is included but the coupe is photographed with a whip antenna as equipped when purchased from the original owner in 1994. The radio installed at considerable effort (as a slot required a machine ship to mill open for installation) is a new Sony Sirius Satellite CD radio with remote.
When the body prep and paint was performed (in 2010; subcontractor TBS on request) the original air-box
and plenum were damaged and then later on the damaged pieces were lost by the otherwise competent interior upholstery subcontractor. Upon research I decided to purchase K&N
filters used
on the same 907 engine in the Jensen Healey for a small delta in horsepower and a cleaner, more modern look. There was no loss of horsepower due to any anticipated heat buildup in the engine compartment as explained herewith…
Overheating is no longer a problem for this Esprit S1.
The engine bay runs cooler than the ghost of Colin Chapman would fear. A former coworker in aerospace (and personal friend who once owned a black S1) was fortunately a thermal engineer with COMSAT working with me at SS/L in Palo Alto and therefore quite qualified to ponder the overheating issue and take corrective action, conceiving of a simple yet thoroughly effective engineering hack for cooling down the 907 2.0L power plant at all RPM loads for long operational periods (up to 30 minutes at high rev as tested on his S1). We both acquired huge aero-fitted NOS VW Microbus oil coolers that barely fit the compartment and, with such a maneuver (together with the used of highly recommended Water-wetter) we couldn’t get the car to overheat.
Applying non-flight satellite test and integration thermocouples in the engine bay for temperature measurement, the usual S1 overheating problem (that lead to those unsightly S2 cooling modifications that were less effective than this mod) was confirmed resolved. As stated, upon implementing this heat attenuation countermeasures, at high rev the range maintained performance within nominal thermal parameters in ambient summer weather (August 1996 in Los Altos, CA); note original plot (and data) lost in the move from Emerald Hills to Redwood City to Woodside.
The advantage of a cooler operating environment was further validated by the use of a thermistor to the coil to ensure any high temperature not affect electrical component operational resistance/performance within the environment below the original sealed Fiberglas engine compartment cover (which is not vented but, as explained, no longer requires any aftermarket venting). The final determination is literally very cool: This Esprit S1simply doesn’t overheat, even with the K&N setup for normal aspirated engines.
Pricing.
Before the auction completes ten days from launch (on Independence Day) more on pricing will be added (either in the description or, if a bid is placed, added to it). Basically, the no-reserve start price sets a record for accommodating potential bidders
—
its starting bid amount a third to a quarter l
ess than market value (and a small fraction of the selling price of any incredibly rare comparable S1’s sold in Hemming’s and elsewhere in the past. Note: Hemmings, ”The World’s Largest Collector Car Marketplace”, featured for sale recently an Arizona-housed 1977 Esprit S1 in the same color (and similar condition) as ours for $45,000; note: ad TBS before auction end once I find where I stored it).
Headlamps.
The headlamps work but be advised the light lift motor (while bench-tested and working) does not lift the light assembly so, as with the wipers, the new owner must either fix the issue (be advised the wiring harness in general is not the problem) or drive during the day… again, not a recommended made in jest. (This is why our S1 is so bargain-prices and is not offered for $45k like the referenced seller in Arizona!)
The Vaglia dash gauges are lighted and all work.
Transmission.
The original Citroen five-forward-speed transmission works fine but reverse is a tiny bit hard to reach (but always reachable).
Steering wheel.
The original Esprit steering wheel was and remains ugly and the new owner is strongly advised to replace it. Why not? Because I wanted to leave it to the new owner to choose the size, material and look of the replacement steering wheel. Speaking of wheels…
Wheels (and Tires).
The original Wolfrace wheels, preserved as part of Italdesign’s superior design accomplishment with the car show-highlighting Series 1presented to the public as a work of art, compliments the overall look and is not dated. The tires, mounted and balanced at Five Points Tires in Redwood City, are brand new (as is the original unused spare tire).
Attention all potential bidders:
Please wait until the last day to place your bids and don’t be outbid but then again don’t overbid either. Before bidding, do read every word in this description and ask whatever questions you may have as I will add to it (or if need be, correct) the information contained in this auction. Indeed, t
his description may be amended or added to as necessary based on input from readers and any helpful information that comes to light.
Ask or comment before bidding (or if just curious).
Rexport, with all praise from day one on eBay since 1996. We guarantee a positive buying experience.
On Jul-05-21 at 12:36:22 PDT, seller added the following information:
Pleasebe advised: In rushing to start the auction on Independence Day, Ihastened to add the following…
Theclutch, while working, needs either to be bled OR the clutch slavecylinder (gasket) repacked as the Esprit has been stored inside agarage (and started regularly to keep everything flexed andoperational) but not driven as you normally would.
Whilethe brakes bring the car safely to a halt (please note all rotorsare smoothly in spec) the driver’s side rear caliper is sticky andmay need attention.
Tomake up for not having disclosed this before the bidding started (andsince eBay only permits adding to a description rather than amendingit) your seller agrees to rebate US$500 to the winning bidder nomatter how low the winning bid may be. Meanwhile, any bidderwishing to retract their bids… I’ll take care of that for you (soyou won’t receive a dreaded bid-retraction on your record).Otherwise…
Aswith all Rexport auctions, Rexport ensures you’ll be very pleased longafter the sale and delivery of this Lotus Esprit S1 (or anything elsewe have to offer).
Rexport
On Jul-06-21 at 14:00:31 PDT, seller added the following information:
Special Note:
Rexport reported a bug that results in eBay’s failure to postquestions and answers about this Lotus as this seller wishes. So Rexport is going to addall questions and answers to the description (like the note you’rereading now) because it’s only fair all potential bidders gain from theinformation provided to response to questions about this car.
Most questions are good ones. The answers are honest and, moreover, should be ofinterest to anyone considering placing a bid. This car should either be underbid or overbid and sell for a fair price with allthings considered in evaluating whether to bid and, if so, how much. As stated elsewhere, Rexportguarantees buyers will be pleased with this and all Rexporttransactions.
On Jul-12-21 at 10:23:04 PDT, seller added the following information:
Rexport Advisory
Please prepare for lots more information
before the end of today
(about this car and S1’s in general along withmore photos via links) and bidwisely.
Remember…
This Lotus Esprit S1 is
unbelievably
beautiful to seeand show off (and especially drive) but it isn’t somemillion-horsepower 2022 Ferrari 296 GTB hybrid that does 0-100 mph in, like,
minus
-2 seconds… encapsulated in whitestretch vinyl to protect its million coats of paint… with Cosomine coating on the
chassis
and engineering timed better than any Swiss watch…
fresh from
Maranellowhere
theyspend half a year building this thing for you and there it is: motionless before your disbelieving eyes yet doing ten times the speed limit on El Camino Real at Ferrari of Silicon Valley as they delivery prep the world’s automotive utopia, urgentlyhurrying to remove that Moroni sticker classified by Interpol as proof of globalfinancial terrorism.
Note: I hope I didn’t trigger any “Ferrari-philes” withthat comment.
On Jul-13-21 at 17:06:52 PDT, seller added the following information:
This is part one of the final description update (the first featuring Google-cloud-hosted image links and videos; the second, mostly text with a photo or two). Read the cutline below each photo for information about the photo
.
Simply
copy and past the links
after
reading each caption below it.
Videos (recorded on 7/12/21)
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipPghUnPNg0KtwQ2Xp_x2qnNit47EnHdrAmKZij6/photo/AF1QipPZ_GNz8jotbtSsTe3sN8KZm4wSgln6Yfkn6xX-
This is a three-second video of this Esprit S1’s 907 engine running.
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipPghUnPNg0KtwQ2Xp_x2qnNit47EnHdrAmKZij6/photo/AF1QipNc2LI_3LvrdEy09XQptTo2h5JdwwW25U6vJBct
This is a longer video revving the engine.
Photographs (taken on 7/12/21 in storage)
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipPghUnPNg0KtwQ2Xp_x2qnNit47EnHdrAmKZij6/photo/AF1QipPIlf5zjs2AqvN6weK1Vxnw0s6aU-7WOcC-TWMe
An elevated three-quarter view.
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipPghUnPNg0KtwQ2Xp_x2qnNit47EnHdrAmKZij6/photo/AF1QipO40XcnYJZWVR7SKU6Laq_fLATu-EqKQDv3X024
Same view and angle with
bonnet
lid open; note when fully extended, the lid remains open (unlike most S1 lids).
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipPghUnPNg0KtwQ2Xp_x2qnNit47EnHdrAmKZij6/photo/AF1QipM9J28c2jDUU44IJfyLxhzk6jEemTDtLTALTZkm
Ground-level photo (with rear lid stowed) says it all.
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipPghUnPNg0KtwQ2Xp_x2qnNit47EnHdrAmKZij6/photo/AF1QipMxJdy3Wyi5Mxs-7L_Ulgd0MO8igUtETvweMbE0
Same point-of-view photo with lid locked in place.
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipPghUnPNg0KtwQ2Xp_x2qnNit47EnHdrAmKZij6/photo/AF1QipObvt9zl268sWBPoYABOfCVsGtw3ioSl80wtAxC
A level view of the S1 inside its garage late Monday evening. (Moving fast yet standing still.)
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipPghUnPNg0KtwQ2Xp_x2qnNit47EnHdrAmKZij6/photo/AF1QipNNwjQOLTVgFNPkRrpEPUzWyl1V07j0YLGN9cql
All lights work; this image shows the rear lights.
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipPghUnPNg0KtwQ2Xp_x2qnNit47EnHdrAmKZij6/photo/AF1QipMKW7wN5A6slzJEQZM5dJotqqvSI_f_oOEBUyAj
Driver side front fender market light on. Note both front lights work (regular and hi-beams) but, as explained, the must be manually opened (which Lotus prepared for; see included original owner’s manual).
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipPghUnPNg0KtwQ2Xp_x2qnNit47EnHdrAmKZij6/photo/AF1QipMCHHgKaWxuT6VDxjoDHJd6Jh8EobWRXHXTQtrk
Amber caution lights in the front bumper both work. (This one is the passenger side lamp.)
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipPghUnPNg0KtwQ2Xp_x2qnNit47EnHdrAmKZij6/photo/AF1QipOpplF50_-pqzCE9cvnk1ASKZwwByVg2lavW2Uw
The famous green Veglia gauges lighted on the dash when the light are on.
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipPghUnPNg0KtwQ2Xp_x2qnNit47EnHdrAmKZij6/photo/AF1QipMSHZtzT8WHya1Ay6-ERT9PJfH2zveSF7d7iPJj
The Sirius-enabled Sony CD AM/FM radio features the same Veglia green when on (although it can be programmed with most any color preferred).
Bonus protos indirectly related to any decision whether (or how much) to bid…
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipPghUnPNg0KtwQ2Xp_x2qnNit47EnHdrAmKZij6/photo/AF1QipOIcfGjIrpMBVdVFJNMkBeYYGoi4JzkULP1r-L2
The bottom of these three ABS bumpers from Sports Car World are equipped on this S1.
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipPghUnPNg0KtwQ2Xp_x2qnNit47EnHdrAmKZij6/photo/AF1QipNBq3Tk3HZarO4y8AVjI0j9uNYk6LO2K2TPGWrk
This ad appeared in Hemmings Motor News in December 2013; original tear sheet included among many additional materials (with photos and description TBS this evening).
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipPghUnPNg0KtwQ2Xp_x2qnNit47EnHdrAmKZij6/photo/AF1QipPYjyXS7IqlWQrJT0LBOlEN8n8pFOpkJSK-GZps
This is the original receipt of the wire transfer of US$12,000 (in 1992 dollar value;
that’s $23,238.43 today (source: usinflationcalculator dot com) and that was this S1 running rough and unrestored.
Another addition to the description (part 2) will appear late tonight or very early tomorrow, D-day for this auction. It features mostly useful notes on this car (and
Esprit’s
in general) plus a photo or two.
P.S.I meant to write, “Monroney sticker” in the previous note which proves a new Ferrari beats an old Lotus everywhere except in the heart where the beating really counts.
Rexport
On Jul-13-21 at 22:53:10 PDT, seller added the following information:
Here are a few more important images, the first two of the vehicle identification and motor specs plates…
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipPghUnPNg0KtwQ2Xp_x2qnNit47EnHdrAmKZij6/photo/AF1QipOGNADIPZklTL-m5rNW9qHv8ByLHJAxc-zDCAoW
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipPghUnPNg0KtwQ2Xp_x2qnNit47EnHdrAmKZij6/photo/AF1QipO4FSTqZF3_75j_IGvAE_11zrjcgXFj1uHXlh26
Next are
over a thousand dollars
in actual current market collector value in rare hard-cover Lotus books including (and featuring)…
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipPghUnPNg0KtwQ2Xp_x2qnNit47EnHdrAmKZij6/photo/AF1QipPY6hrnWAsA0RN2MC97p8lXO9T587PLakZXn8Z1
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipPghUnPNg0KtwQ2Xp_x2qnNit47EnHdrAmKZij6/photo/AF1QipMkiSdDsB10QDM1W1l4JRHn3wQhZuQ5k177dcOr
https://photos.google.com/album/AF1QipPghUnPNg0KtwQ2Xp_x2qnNit47EnHdrAmKZij6/photo/AF1QipNtxpeLvAyG0bik9moej_LJStdYRvOphNGDJFR8
1. The Lotus Book Series 3: The Complete History of Lotus Cars by William Taylor (
…which is going for nearly US$1,000 right now on Amazon; go see…)
Plus…
2. Jeremy Walton’s Lotus Esprit: The Complete Story (about $50)
3. Lotus Since the 70s: Esprit, Etna And V8 Engine
by Graham Robson ($25-$100)
4. Collector magazines with cover stories on the Lotus Esprit (including or exclusively about the S1, as you see in the closeup image)
5. A complete copy of the rare Shop Manual (one on Amazon for $236)
And this is about as rare as Tartan seats…
6. The
original
Owner’s Handbook (impossible to find; so rare there’s really no value to ascribe; it doesn’t matter as it’s included in the auction lot with the car)
Accessories
Approximately four square feet of perfect upholstery workroom leather matching (perfect match with its very light beige) remnant material for any purpose you, the winning bidder, may wish to have around for future use. (Note: It’s folded neatly to the left on the table as pictured.)
Three Esprit scale-model Hot Wheels new in packaging with a very old original Hot Wheel Esprit (with the faded British Jack flag in the closeup image).
The detailed specs on the Zenith Stromberg carburetors; the wiring diagram covering the complete wiring harness); as many invoices I can find from several companies who worked on this car (two of them formerly Lotus engineers who worked at the Lotus Plant at Hethel); I even include (not pictured) many printouts of emails and even BBS posts discussing details about overheating and modifying S1’s for better performance.
Other miscellaneous parts such as what’s pictured (that will be shipped with the car such as recessed jack, cables, extra parts) including more than 30 feet of replacement body side molding material (NOS from the UK). Note: I didn’t put any after-market door side molding to match and will leave that for you to do or not do.)
A final post with more information, commentary and concluding remarks prior to the close of this auction on Wednesday late afternoon (7/14/21)
here in California.
Good night and good luck!
Rexport