Highlights

∙An impressively fast, iconic supercar from Hethel’s assembly line
∙Extensive work has been completed 11,000 miles ago including an engine rebuild
∙Full respray in original Monaco white with reconditioned blue leather interior
∙Last serviced in October 2021 and fitted with new battery, air and oil filter, plugs and more
∙Toured around Europe in recent months and never skipped a beat!

The Background

First registered in December 1992, the iconic Lotus Esprit SE 2.2 Turbo 'High Wing' created a striking silhouette, with its wedge-shape and wide body. Noted for its excellent weight distribution and balance, this turbocharged 2.2-litre car, with its mid-engine, rear wheel drive layout and low slung, two-seater position emits all of the pure supercar traits you’d expect. This SE model is notable for being the first Lotus to be charge-cooled and produced 264hp, hitting 60mph in 4.7 seconds and a stated 165 mph top speed; impressive performance numbers for its day which all contributed to making it the best-selling Esprit of its time and, naturally, the most expensive.

Built around a steel chassis and with body panels made from glass fibre, the Esprit was built entirely by hand on the legendary Hethel assembly line in Norfolk, with Lotus stating that each car took 584 man-hours to assemble. Peter Stevens, who went on to style the McLaren F1, was issued the task of re-designing the Esprit which he went about by softening the sharp edges of the Giugiaro-era cars, in doing so creating a wholly different look. The redesigned rear end and rounded-off edges created not only created a dramatic styling evolution, but improved rear visibility, engine access and aerodynamics.

With 87,000 miles on the clock, this Esprit Turbo SE has been enjoyed and loved through the years, with many of the mechanical foibles taken care of and is ready for its next owner to get behind the wheel of and enjoy.

The History

Back in 2009 the current owner was searching for a TVR, however after spotting this Esprit tucked away in a showroom, its rarer status and impactful looks made for a very quick change of heart and the Lotus was purchased. From this point there was known work required to bring the car back to its former glory, which the owner duly did over a two-and-a-half-year period with no expense spared.

With a growing family and a change in the pace of life, the owner transferred the car into his father’s care in 2012 where it’s enjoyed a garaged life ever since, albeit getting minimal use with only 3,000 miles accrued since. Therefore, the time has come to move this classic Lotus on to its next owner to enjoy and put some miles on the clock which it so rightly deserves.

The Paperwork

The modest mileage is backed up by MOT history which runs until September. Around 8,000 miles ago a full restoration was carried out in the owner’s care and was completed by South West Lotus Centre. Extensive documentation will be provided with the car which supports the following work completed:

Engine rebuilt by South West Lotus Centre
Gearbox dismantled and serviced by Transmission specialist
Resprayed in original Monaco white
Reconditioned Turbo
Sports exhaust fitted and de-catted
New headlights
New aluminium radiator
Aluminium header tanks
New Air Conditioner / charge cooler heat interchange
New lower front bumper
New fog lights
Suspension links (except trailing arms) powder coated
Steel braided brake hoses
New clutch slave cylinder
Steel braided clutch hose
EBC brake pads
Reconditioned oil cooler radiators
Upgraded stereo
Alarm & tracker
Restored leather interior
Recarpeted interior
Wheels refurbished
New and uprated fuel injectors.
New exhaust manifold
Uprated clutch
Fuel tanks shotblasted repaired and powder coated
Adjustable springs and dampers
All suspension links upgraded with poly-bushes

The Interior

A beautiful combination of high-quality leather, deep low-slung seats and an amazing wrap-around dash create an immersive seating position to be enjoyed by driver and passenger alike. The cars frame protrudes into the car, jutting out the glove box and creating a that distinctively wide interior.

It’s clear that the interior of this Esprit has been kept in excellent condition. The blue leather was professionally restored recently, while the carpets are clean and free from stains and wear. Everything in working order, including the upgraded Kenwood head unit and all switches – most importantly, the switch for those iconic pop-up headlights out front.

The removable glass sunroof can be taken out and stowed in the boot, creating a targa-style open top experience, helping you to enjoy the turbo soundtrack even further.

The Exterior

As you’d expect after a full, professional respray, the Monaco white paint bodywork presents fantastically, with no yellowing and very few blemishes to find, barring a paint chip to the rear wing.

The original OZ wheels have been refurbished and look excellent, with their deep polished dishes picking up the light nicely. Since the refurb, both front wheels have accrued a small amount of road rash but as a set, they present fantastically and are finished with Lotus centre-caps all-round.

Supercar credentials are found not just in the engine bay but all over its glass fibre shell; an air intake is located behind the rear right-hand quarter light, further ducting in the lower body sills and cooling slats above the engine bay to extract warm air.

The Mechanics

Lotus’s of this era aren’t perhaps renowned for their mechanical reliability, however the extensive works carried out in recent years to rectify any issues should ensure future reliability. Many, if not all of the usual – and costly – pain points have been taken care of by professionals meaning that the car now starts, drives, steers, and stops as it should, with the current owner finding it an absolute joy to drive.

Under boost, the power increase is notable and a real pleasure to experience. There is an incredibly strong, competent acceleration through each gear while steering is direct and there are no untoward noises from the suspension.

The Appeal

This is a truly special car to look at, let alone drive… with its super wide body and rear tyres providing exceptional levels of grip and a turbo-induced soundtrack, you’re urged at every turn to push on. The lack of driver aids, power steering and anti-lock brakes combine to provide a ‘pure’ driving experience which is hard to find on modern counterparts. Perhaps most surprisingly of all, despite the Esprit’s decidedly supercar looks, this is a car which provides undeniable, old-school supercar comfort on the road.
The drama you’ll experience while driving it is maximised as you look in the rear-view mirror, only to see the enormous wing; reminding you what a special car this is to own. From the first moment that you find yourself at speed, pulling through the gears with the turbo whooshing in your ear, you’ll wonder what took you so long to own one of these.

With such limited numbers of these hand made cars produced – and this being the special edition ‘High Wing’ variant – this is an incredibly rare, well-maintained piece of British car history. Correspondingly, prices only appear to be going upwards making this a great opportunity to enter the classic Lotus world or add to a collection.

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