1978 Lotus Esprit

An unmistakable icon of 1980s automotive design, the Lotus Esprit perfectly captures the era’s obsession with sharp lines, futuristic thinking and pure driving involvement.

Immortalised by its starring role as James Bond’s submarine-transforming sports car, the Lotus Esprit became more than just a vehicle – it became a cultural icon. Penned by the legendary Giorgetto Giugiaro, the Esprit’s dramatic wedge-shaped silhouette remains instantly recognisable decades later, looking every bit as striking today as it did when it first appeared on bedroom posters and cinema screens around the world.

Built around Lotus’s lightweight philosophy, the Esprit combined a fibreglass body with a backbone chassis, delivering exceptional balance and agility. Mid-mounted power came from an all-alloy 2.2-litre inline-four engine developed in-house by Lotus, producing 160hp. Thanks to its low kerb weight and mid-engine layout, the Esprit offers outstanding power-to-weight balance, razor-sharp handling and exceptional driver feedback. The result is an engine and drivetrain package that delivers not just impressive numbers on paper, but a truly immersive, analogue driving experience that defines the classic Lotus ethos.

The example on offer has been fully restored and presents superbly with 33128 miles indicated (53004km). It is finished in the iconic white, but the interior is where all the attention is. It has a multicoloured interior, featuring green, orange and red, with red and green tartan on the seats and door panels, as well as green dials on the dash, making for a truly unique spec. It comes with the original engine cover and spare wheel. Today, Esprits are highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts alike, prized for its purity, character and unmistakable presence.