Highlights

One of the last Giugiaro body-styled Esprit Turbos made
Rare and sought after 210bhp High Compression
Comprehensive service history with 17 service stamps
Recent major service, cambelts, alloy fuel tanks and fuel pump
Only four registered keepers
Will be sold with 12 months MOT
Later car with fully galvanised chassis

The Appeal

Time doesn’t mellow the Esprit. 49 years since Giugiaro’s masterpiece was unveiled in Paris, it remains an arresting sight. This is one of the most distinctive - and influential - cars ever built.

Bolting a juicy turbo to Lotus’ Type 910 2.2litre engine gave it the performance to match the looks. In typical Hethel style it was continuously tweaked, the High Compression 210bhp ‘HC’ model arriving in 1985. Just 881 HC-equipped S3 cars were built to 1988 when the revised Peter Stevens car arrived.

This beautiful Ice Blue metallic car was one of the last to leave the factory. With its neat factory details like the wing decals, lattice alloys and Giugiaro body kit it is a surprisingly small car that has huge presence.

It is a low mileage car that is unmodified and very well preserved across the exterior and interior. It has been well maintained, including a carburettor overhaul and attention to the front suspension in 2021. More recently it has received a major service, cambelt change, replacement alloy fuel tanks, new fuel pump, fuel lines and cross over pipe. It will be sold with a fresh MOT.

The pre-facelift HC is the ultimate evolution of Giugiaro’s original design. And this one draws us like a magnet.

History and Paperwork

First registered 1st August 1987
Chassis number confirms this left the factory as a 2.2 Turbo HC
Four registered keepers
Will be sold with full 12 months MOT
Large file of ongoing maintenance by specialists
Old handwritten MOTs to verify mileage
Original service book and handbook
Service history with the original service book containing 17 stamps
Major service in May 2023 including cambelt change
Both fuel tanks, fuel pump, crossover pipe, and all fuel lines replaced at same time
Both carburettors overhauled in 2021 together with front springs and shock absorbers
Dry stored and very little used since the 2023 work
Last MOT expired 29th September 2023 with no advisories and 69,403 miles showing on test
Now showing 69,437 miles
MOT history appears to contain an error on the mileage for the 2005 entry
Handwritten MOT records and service history verify the correct displayed mileage in photographs

The Condition

Finished in stylish Ice Blue metallic which appears to be original paintwork
Paint finish is very good with only minor and not unsightly marks to note in photographs
These include a small scuff to the offside rear corner and elsewhere some minor stone chips
Fibreglass bodywork in very good order with no visible crazing or noted accident damage
Retains its factory features such as the classic wing graphics
Fully galvanised chassis with ‘no rust’ according to vendor and no structural MOT advisories
Factory correct lattice-style alloy wheels in good, presentable condition with only light marks
Quality Pirelli tyres fitted all round appearing to be in good condition with plenty of tread
Light grey leather and suede interior in very good, unmodified and original condition
Cabin shows some very minor marks in photos but these do not detract from the good overall impression
Later cars such as this one got updated interiors with fully adjustable seats
Specification includes leather dashboard, sunroof, Kenwood stereo and wooden gear knob

This car’s originality is surely a key part of its appeal, also allowing the buyer to spot how well it has been looked after by its handful of keepers. Inside and out there are few signs of use and age to the surfaces.

It is pleasingly unmodified, retaining its lovely Ice Blue over grey colour combination and factory details like the lattice alloys and wing graphics.

The Mechanics

Type 901 2,174cc Lotus ‘HC’ engine with 210bhp thanks to a Garrett turbo
5spd manual gearbox
Detailed engine bay with factory-correct ‘red top’ detailing
Vendor reports that the car runs and drives very well with no known issues
Thick history file with 17 service stamps
Major mechanical overhaul in 2023 including service, belts, fuel tanks and pump
Carburettors overhauled and front suspension attended to in 2021

A Garrett turbo pushed Lotus’ wedgy sports car into the supercar league. The HC version dialled things up again, delivering 210bhp through the rear wheels. Later cars would get even more power, but these final S3 cars offer a pleasing blend of scintillating yet eminently usable performance.

Produced in the final months before the arrival of the Peter Stevens redesign, this very low mileage HC has been carefully curated by its handful of keepers. This has resulted in a continuous run of 17 service stamps and amassed a thick history file of work by well regarded specialists.

The car has covered few miles in recent years so the buyer benefits from the recent work. This includes carburettor overhaul in 2021 along with the front shocks and springs. In 2023 the cambelts were replaced and a manor service undertaken. The fuel pump and lines were replaced together with the cross-over pump. Both fuel tanks were changed for high specification alloy units.

The vendor tells us that the car “drives very well with plenty of turbo boost.” There are no known issues for the buyer to attend to and it will be sold with a new 12 months MOT.

BEFORE YOU BUY

This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:

✓ The seller of this vehicle is registered as a business seller. And you are covered by Car & Classic’s Terms and Conditions.

✓ We request that a non-refundable fee be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted. Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates.

✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.

✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.

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✓ We also check whether vehicles are recorded as being written off as part of an insurance total loss claim at the time an advert is placed and we helpfully provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and it's always worthwhile carrying out your own full vehicle history check before making an offer.

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