Colin Chapmans S1 esprit

[lotusforsale.com]

After 15 years of ownership and a body off ground up rebuild its time for my 1977 Lotus Esprit S1 to go. The car was first owned by Colin Chapman and became the test bed for the later S2 which is why the car still wears its S2 front spoiler. The car has received a full mechanical restoration including a complete engine rebuild. Brakes, suspension, clutch, chassis  cooling and electrics were all either refurbished or replaced as necessary. The interior has been retrimmed in black alcantara and the seats , tunnel cover , door card inserts and steering wheel are all new black leather. Externally the car was repainted in its original silver and although its not a concourse paintjob it compliments the car very well. I have attempted to keep the car as original as possible whilst having a reliable and safe car to enjoy so the only upgrades that are on the car are uprated cooling fans, an engine bay fire extiguisher system and an electronic ignition system. The car was featured in Practical Classics magazine a couple of years ago and appeared at the NEC on the practical classics stand.

The MOT expires about a fortnight before MOTs are no longer required for cars of this age but I will get it renewed once a sale has been agreed. Equally the car tax has just been renewed but come April the car will attain historic status and the tax will then be free. A cam belt change is due soon and I will either have that done or amend the sale price to reflect this depending on what the new owner would prefer.

S1 esprit dont appear for sale that often but when they do theyre around the £50k mark and although this car isnt a concourse example the lower price does reflect this. Other more expensive examples can be found for sale but none of them have documented evidence showing Colin Chapman as the first owner which this one does.

The car has an agreed insurance valuation of £45000 and I have already turned down an offer of £40000 so please bear this in mind if you are interested.

The car is located about 15 minutes from M61 junction 6 and M6 junction 27.

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