1988 Lotus Esprit X180
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Highlights
- Same ownership for the past 25 years
- One of the best cars to own and drive
- Always kept up to date with maintenance
The Appeal
Many of you will know that Lotus is the best in the business when it comes to setting up a chassis, producing some of the best driving and racing cars for over 60 years.
Not only is the Esprit itself now a legendary name but the X180 was designed by Peter Stevens, who would go on to be part of the design team for the McLaren F1. A more rounded design from the versions that came before the X180 was even complimented by Giugiaro.
Not only is the Esprit itself now a legendary name but the X180 was designed by Peter Stevens, who would go on to be part of the design team for the McLaren F1. A more rounded design from the versions that came before the X180 was even complimented by Giugiaro.
This Esprit X180 has lived a quiet and happy life with its current owner for the past ¼ of a century.
Using it as their daily driver at one point, and even taking it camping in the lake district, this has been their pride and joy. It is now time for it to become the jewel in your collection.
Using it as their daily driver at one point, and even taking it camping in the lake district, this has been their pride and joy. It is now time for it to become the jewel in your collection.
The History and Paperwork
- Leaving the Hethel factory in 1988 this Lotus Esprit quickly goes to its first owner in the Cambridgeshire area.
- It then moves to Northamptonshire with its second owner and then onto the current owner
- Picking the car up from Haslemere, Surrey, as only their second ever car in April 1998
- During their ownership, it has been kept nice and dry in a garage, serviced in accordance with the mileage at a well-known independent Lotus garage
- Any issues found on the yearly MOT were quickly rectified
- The current owner has recounted a couple of great trips with this car, you can tell that they have looked after this car well
- It is now time for you to add to this car's history, take it away, and use it as Lotus intended.
- With this being quite a low mileage example, you should have many happy years with this car
The Interior
- A well-presented retro interior
- The seats shrink around you
- Solid pull-out roof section
Finished in a lovely magnolia leather with corresponding carpets and contrasting dash the interior of this Esprit is such a great place to sit.
When you lower yourself into the seats it feels as if the whole car has wrapped around you, and you are part of the machine.
When you lower yourself into the seats it feels as if the whole car has wrapped around you, and you are part of the machine.
The magnolia leather seats fitted to this Esprit are in good condition, with no rips or tears to the material but a little bit of sag to a few panels. Some other age-related marks are present around the outside shoulder area of the driver’s seat and a small tear to the gearstick gaiter.
However, a Lotus is all about the way it makes you feel when you’re out on the road so a little bit of interior wear can be overlooked. Plus remember she is nearly 40 years old. Much like the seats, the carpets are in good condition too.
However, a Lotus is all about the way it makes you feel when you’re out on the road so a little bit of interior wear can be overlooked. Plus remember she is nearly 40 years old. Much like the seats, the carpets are in good condition too.
With the Esprit being more of a driver’s car you will be happy to hear that the tactile items that you will engage with the most during your drives, such as the gear stick or steering wheel, are in great condition and are a pleasure to use on your drives.
You may be thinking that this is a silly and impractical car that you could not use on a day-to-day basis but you would be wrong. For a couple of years, this was the current owners' only car and they used it on their commute.
Along with this they also mentioned that they have even taken it camping, with all of their equipment fitting nicely into the boot section of this Esprit. If you take a Lotus Esprit on a camping holiday, then you are nothing but a true petrol head and legend.
Along with this they also mentioned that they have even taken it camping, with all of their equipment fitting nicely into the boot section of this Esprit. If you take a Lotus Esprit on a camping holiday, then you are nothing but a true petrol head and legend.
Upon entering this Esprit all your normal day-to-day worries are null and void, you are in this interior for one purpose and one purpose alone, to enjoy an exhilarating ride down some nice and twisty country roads.
The Exterior
- Timeless design
- Beautifully presented
- Pop-up headlights
Made famous by the 1977 film The Spy Who Loved Me the Lotus Esprit has been a poster car of a generation, with so many adoring fans thanks to that great movie car.
We must, at this point, provide a health and safety warning and say that this car will not transform into a submarine if you drive it into the sea!
We must, at this point, provide a health and safety warning and say that this car will not transform into a submarine if you drive it into the sea!
By 1988 the Esprit had been through 3 generations with little to no exterior changes, so it was long overdue an update. This was addressed by designer Peter Stevens who re-imagined the exterior into a more aerodynamic shape whilst still keeping the true identity of the Esprit.
This Esprit X180 is finished in Mediterranean Blue, presented in rather lovely overall condition it will look great within your collection.
As you might expect for a car of this age there are a few areas that you may or may not want to get addressed, there are some light scratches on the passenger door and some stone chips on the front bumper.
Apart from these small areas, there is nothing else that should put you off from the exterior of this Esprit, just look at it, stunning.
As you might expect for a car of this age there are a few areas that you may or may not want to get addressed, there are some light scratches on the passenger door and some stone chips on the front bumper.
Apart from these small areas, there is nothing else that should put you off from the exterior of this Esprit, just look at it, stunning.
In 2001 this car was hit in the rear whilst parked and it required a replacement rear bumper, light cluster, and repair to the driver’s side wing. As these repairs were carried out professionally you would not notice it all too easily.
The alloy wheels that are fitted are excellent reminders of late ‘80s design, with a fan-like design they look great with only a few signs of curb rash on one or two of the rims.
A beautiful piece of automotive art, this Esprit will look perfect in your collection and will be great to display at a car show or any other car event.
The Mechanics
- A proper driver’s car
- Any mechanical work needed has always been carried out
- One car you must experience at least once
This is the bit where a Lotus excels over its competition. Lotus is world-renowned for producing some of the best chassis’ to ever grace the automotive marketplace.
The Esprit is no different, the S1 was praised heavily on its introduction, and it rode this wave of applause throughout its production.
The Esprit is no different, the S1 was praised heavily on its introduction, and it rode this wave of applause throughout its production.
As this Esprit has been with the current owner for two-thirds of its life it is nice and easy to comment on the mechanical condition thanks to the current owner being able to build up a rapport with the car.
They say that it is in great mechanical condition, executing everything they have ever needed to perfection whilst it managed to put a massive smile on the owner’s face.
They say that it is in great mechanical condition, executing everything they have ever needed to perfection whilst it managed to put a massive smile on the owner’s face.
There have been a couple, of minor, modifications made to this Esprit to make it just that bit better. Some new adjustable front shock absorbers have been fitted along with a brushless electric fuel pump. Apart from these additions, the car is still original.
You need to own a Lotus at least once in your life, and once you do you will never want to own anything car as they drive like nothing else.
In such good mechanical condition, this car will be a pleasure to own and operate long into the future.
In such good mechanical condition, this car will be a pleasure to own and operate long into the future.
Summary
If it’s good enough for James Bond, it is good enough for us.
Now an ever-increasingly rare car the Esprit can only go one on in regards to its value from now on.
However, these are built to drive and do it well, if you buy this car, you won’t regret it. The feeling you get for going out on a long summer evening drive is amazing, a thrill better than any other man-made substance.
Now an ever-increasingly rare car the Esprit can only go one on in regards to its value from now on.
However, these are built to drive and do it well, if you buy this car, you won’t regret it. The feeling you get for going out on a long summer evening drive is amazing, a thrill better than any other man-made substance.
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.
Vehicle specification
- Year 1988
- Make Lotus
- Model Esprit X180
- Colour Blue
- Odometer 64,440 Miles
- Engine size 2174
Auction Details
- Seller Type Private
- Town Guilford
- Location Surrey
- Country United Kingdom
46
bids
- de•••• £25,750 21/06/22
- ro•••• £25,500 21/06/22
- ro•••• £25,250 21/06/22
- de•••• £25,000 21/06/22
- ro•••• £24,750 21/06/22
- de•••• £24,500 21/06/22
- ro•••• £24,250 21/06/22
- de•••• £24,000 21/06/22
- ro•••• £23,750 21/06/22
- de•••• £23,500 21/06/22
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