Esprit Market Watch - Help for those searching

[tomcattom]

Just like buses and they're red too, or at least they are around here.

[Gjk]

A bit like buses then! Lovely looking car mind.

Edited April 20 by Gjk
Beaten to it by @tomcattom

[Gareth44]

Interesting. My S4s is also red with the cream interior, albeit with black piping, is a 1996 and with 15k more miles. There can't be that many red S4s's about!

Not that we may ever know for sure but I wonder how much these sell for. Mine was listed at £39k 18 months ago, for example, but I bought it at just over £30k.

[LotuStuart]

A bit like buses in red. 

[stephenwhyte]

On 19/04/2023 at 11:39, ChrisJ said:

For those decals, should have black bumpers.

Yeah - attached to the doors!🙄😄

[mike_sekinger]

Low mileage 1997 V8 that has been parked-up for 8 years.  Auctioned ended unsold after reaching 54,000€ in bids.

1997 LOTUS ESPRIT V8 - 31,055 KM (collectingcars.com)

The car is for sale at 67,995€ on the Dealership website.

[NG5]

The White Turbo finally sold at £24,750. That's £26,235 after fees.

Far higher than I would have expected, but I'm not complaining.

 

[mike_sekinger]

2004 Final Edition V8 with under 1K miles sold for 91611€ yesterday.

2004 LOTUS ESPRIT V8 'FINAL EDITION' - 998 MILES (collectingcars.com)

[jep]

Seems value to me. I can see that retailing for a decent profit. Personally, not my kinda car but I see the appeal. 

Justin 

[Giniw]

27 minutes ago, mike_sekinger said:

2004 Final Edition V8 with under 1K miles sold for 91611€ yesterday.

2004 LOTUS ESPRIT V8 'FINAL EDITION' - 998 MILES (collectingcars.com)

 

I didn't know the engine was signed?! Was it specific to the Final Edition?

 

Edited June 1 by Giniw

[mike_sekinger]

9 minutes ago, Giniw said:

I didn't know the engine was signed?! Was it specific to the Final Edition?

Yes.  This was an additional detail added for the last cars.

[JimmytheTurbo]

This G turbo was in ok condition nothing special IMO.

Sold for £37k after fees

https://www.silverstoneauctions.com/1989-lotus-esprit-turbo-s3-rec12341-1-sywell-0523?el=20336&pn=1&pp=100

 

 

Edited June 1 by JimmytheTurbo

[MPx]

Ooooo good.  Just like Lionel, albeit +Sunroof and Aircon which I didn't want, so looks like my £35k asking price is in the right ball park now.  

[obi-nu]

https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1594318

@LOTUSMAN33 do you know of this one Dave (in terms of the car, not the sale)?

[LOTUSMAN33]

Thanks Nu, I don’t know it but looks like a good original car to restore with tartan. 🙂

[obi-nu]

17 minutes ago, LOTUSMAN33 said:

Thanks Nu, I don’t know it but looks like a good original car to restore with tartan. 🙂

That's unlike you.😄

[LOTUSMAN33]

I feel a purchase coming on…. 😉

[LOTUSMAN33]

It 0194G so an earlier 76 car just registered late, it was previously registered as 250LOT 

The guide price is well short of what it’ll actually reach but it does look like a nice project and hopefully will get a sympathetic restoration saving the originality rather than a full nut and bolt rebuild. 

[Fridge]

I'm wondering if this is a car which perhaps sat around a while before being finally sold in 1978, or even re-registered by Lotus as is often the way with Lotus cars, past and present. Perhaps built early in 1977 and finally road registered in the 'S' registration year, beginning August 1977. I know that UK S1 sales waned about this time.

The reason for my query is that I'm not sure many domestic S1s left the production lines with the tartan interior by late 1978 into 78. Though I think this trim option was popular with Federal car owners for much of the S1 production run.

For once, it would be nice to know the VIN.

 

 

6 minutes ago, LOTUSMAN33 said:

It 0194G so an earlier 76 car just registered late, it was previously registered as 250LOT 

The guide price is well short of what it’ll actually reach but it does look like a nice project and hopefully will get a sympathetic restoration saving the originality rather than a full nut and bolt rebuild. 

Beat me to it by seconds! Blast you @LOTUSMAN33!! 😆

I agree, it requires a sympathetic restoration to retain it's originality as much as possible.

 @LOTUSMAN33!! 😆

[LOTUSMAN33]

David it’s a October 1976 car so not sure why it shows as July 77 build either.

Vin is 761000194, there are loads like this registered late on the register.

Some better pics when cleaned up, it’s got a fair few gel cracks and had its lower painted black, the usual S1 sunroof to sort but all doable without losing to much originality if planned carefully.

It still retains its early features like the kidney reservoir which is nice, not sure about its toolkit or Jack.

Matching number car as well.

 

[Fridge]

Nothing at all surprises me with a Lotus. They were and are a law unto themselves. Adds to their uniqueness I suppose.

[exeterjeep]

Aloso up for auction - looks cheap at the mo...got 5 days to go

https://www.carandclassic.com/auctions/1981-lotus-esprit-s3-45X0An

[LOTUSMAN33]

According to classic car mag the esprit prices are on the up which is interesting as I thought the market was fairly flat recently. 
positive news for the sellers but not ideal if buying so jump now 🙂

[Hornsey Boy]

On 01/06/2023 at 10:44, JimmytheTurbo said:

This G turbo was in ok condition nothing special IMO.

Sold for £37k after fees

https://www.silverstoneauctions.com/1989-lotus-esprit-turbo-s3-rec12341-1-sywell-0523?el=20336&pn=1&pp=100

 

 

Same auction a few lots apart a Sunbeam Lotus made £5k more than the Turbo.....and with non original front seats ...go figure !

https://www.silverstoneauctions.com/1979-talbot-sunbeam-lotus-rec12326-1-sywell-0523?el=20313&pn=1&pp=100

I get its the knock on effect of cars like RS 2000s of the same era making strong money, the Sunbeam is far better car than the Ford by the way. But the wedge Esprit in general is still way way undervalued. 

Not sure what will be the trigger for the Esprit to increase in price, we have had the Bond and Harry Metcalfe effect already. Hopefully the Emira will be the catalysis to broaden the appreciation of the Esprit to a new audience, both at home and aboard.

 

[LOTUSMAN33]

The more prestigious the marque becomes with high end models then the classics will gain interest from a different audience I expect. Classic Ferraris are highly sort after along with Astons. EV doesn’t seem to worry classic owners currently which is positive. 👍🏻