Description
Rare opportunity to purchase a Series 1 Esprit.
One of only 268 RHD UK domestic S1's built.
This example was completed in January 1978 and is number 342G.
I purchased this car 5 years ago from two Lotus experts who heard it was possibly for sale down in Cornwall and quickly acquired it. Previously in long term ownership for 36 years by a machine engineer who manufactured parts for SJ Sportscars (Esprit Specialist) and only 3 previous owners prior to this. It was originally purchased from Bell and Colvill Surrey by a customer in Bury St Edmunds.
When originally purchased by the long term owner in 1985 the car was used daily (hence slightly higher mileage), however later in the ownership after repaint, reupholstering and mechanical restoration, it was only driven on special occasions.
The car has been repainted twice remaining in red. The interior was last reupholstered in 2013 in very dark blue/ grey Marcasite, close to the original shade. It also benefitted from new carpets including engine bay and firewall material, the interior remains in excellent condition.
The previous owner was very meticulous in his work on the car and this is reflected in it's condition and parts fitted.
Items replaced with only 500 miles on them prior to my ownership (around another 500 more since):
Main bearings,
Thrust bearing,
Oil pump,
Water pump,
Engine mounts,
Clutch assembly,
U/ J's,
Water pipes in engine bay,
Rear wheel bearings,
Crown wheel and pinion,
Discs and pads all around.
Items worthy of note include the following;
Stainless steel exhaust,
Uprated U/ J's (with grease nipple),
Braided clutch and fuel lines,
Original Girling Brakes all around,
Powder coated original Wolfrace Wheels,
Period working radio,
Original battery and engine bay covers,
Stainless Steel fixings and fasteners in many places,
Newer coolant pipes,
Working original factory fitted electric mirrors,
Reconditioned Cylinder Head (original retained).
During my ownership the front boot area has been cleaned up, inside of rear hatch and engine cover repainted, missing/ tarnished badges replaced, incorrect dashboard switch replaced, missing cabin air scoop filters replaced, full C service including CAM belt change, oil pressure switch, otter switch and reservoir cap replaced, cooling system flushed and cleaned, reconditioned and triple cored the radiator (temperature sits perfectly in the middle), upgraded the fans for high power Spal units and fully detailed the car.
Everything was fully working however due to recent storage it appears one pop up headlight does cycle, but parks correctly, and the clutch pedal is a little spongy/ has a bit of slack (clutch is very good, the master cylinder likely sticking slightly, worse case a new one is £49 from SJ sportscars). Although they are in good condition, it could benefit from a fresh set of tyres, and the corners of the windscreen are starting to delaminate a little but this does not effect vision. It currently has an S2 style rear valance fitted (better cooling) but I have an original S1 valance to go with the car (as well as some spare interior marcasite).
Very clean example (Lakeside Engineering, Lotus Specialists commented that it was the cleanest S1 they had seen). Paintwork is very good (no spider or star cracking) but is not concourse. Mechanicals also very clean but again not concourse. Could be just used, or improved for showroom condition.
As mentioned mileage has not increased much during my ownership as only used occasionally in nice weather, always garaged and is currently on 93k.
Car has it's original manual showing first owner and I'll also include with the sale an original workshop manual, parts manual, price list (rare), brochure, certificate of provenance and some other period magazines relating to the launch and testing of the S1.
Later S1's benefited from improvements and for this reason considered by some the best example to own if wanting an early Esprit. With the upgrades and improvements this car does not suffer from the common S1 issues.
Beautiful usable example in a classic supercar colour which really makes the chrome/ silver and black pop. The car has been accepted and displayed a number of times at Goodwood.
Esprit S1's are becoming increasingly rare and desirable as the purest of the marque, especially for collectors, for example, the new carbon fibre Encore S1 retains the S1 lines, however has a £450k price tag making this original a much better value proposition.
Price reflects the minor flaws and likely the cheapest RHD domestic S1 you will find on the market, restored cars frequently sell for between £70, 000 - 90, 000.
Happy to answer any questions however serious enquiries only please.
