Lotus factory records confirm that this was the only red Commemorative Edition they made
Number 10 out of only 40 Commemorate Editions (the rest were all Pearl White)
Stunning original Calypso Red paintwork is in exceptional condition
Original blue leather and grey pigskin interior
Only 64,990 miles since new
Comprehensively recommissioned by fastidious current owner
The Appeal
Ever since the Series 1 Esprit caught the eye of Bond producer Cubby Broccoli (thanks to Lotus staff naughtily parking a prototype outside Pinewood Studios) and appeared in For Your Eyes Only, the wedge-shaped supercar has been a British icon.
In 1987 the model was restyled by designed Peter Stevens who rebooted the model with softer lines to create the ‘X180’ model. He also revised the interior to good effect, solving the cramped interior of the original and allowing room for driver’s over six feet tall to stretch their legs.
Only 1,672 X180 Esprits are thought to have been produced, with only 40 Commemorative Editions having been built for the UK to celebrate 40 years of Lotus. These special models featured a rear spoiler, a Sony ICE system linked to a CD autochanger, as well as a unique blue and grey leather interior. A uniquely numbered Sterling silver numbered plaque was attached to the dash of each one.
Lotus build records confirm that this example is the only Calypso Red Commemorative Edition model ever built out of a production run of 40 cars making it quite unique. All the other 39 models were finished in Pearl White. The paintwork is in exceptional original condition, as is the factory blue leather and grey pigskin interior, with the vehicle having only covered 273 miles since a nose-to-tail overhaul by a Lotus specialist.
The History and Paperwork
V5C in owner’s name
Number 10 Commemorative Edition model Esprit with hall-marked Sterling silver dash plaque
Lotus factory certificate detailing it is the only Commemorative Edition finished in Calypso Red (it was a special order model)
Current owner since February 2022
Fresh MoT will be supplied with car
Full service history stamped in original service book from 1989 to 2007
Comprehensive nose-to-tail £5,700 overhaul with engine-out in March 2022 at PJS Sports Car Lotus specialists
Lotus factory records supplied with this car indicate that it was first registered in It was a special order model first supplied to Bell & Colvill of Horsley in February 1989. Only 40 Commemorative Editions were made in the UK and the Lotus records confirm that this is the only one finished in Calypso Red, being supplied to special order with silver pin stripes (which is still sports). The paintwork is believed original and no evidence of masking lines or edges could be found.
The current owner is a keen car enthusiast who previously carried out a nut and botl restoration of an E-type Jaguar to a high standard. This Lotus has been meticulously recommissioned under his stewardship by Lotus specialists PJS Sports Cars in March 2022. This work involved all aspects of the car and involved removing the engine (which was fully detailed and serviced while out), a turbo rebuild, new radiator fan, new front brake calipers, new front tyres and the replacement of all belts and tensioners. The air-conditioning system was also recommissioned and refilled with new fluid and is said to work fine.
The current owner has a keen eye for detail and as well as having stonechips micro-repaired, he even had the underside of the tailgate and bonnet repainted in satin black as they ‘were not neat enough’.SpF0fQGa37PV1zSxK3aa7pxqUwr55zn0DXvCD62I.jpg1.2 MB
The Interior
Original blue leather interior with grey pigskin inserts is in good condition
Burr elm dash has been removed and carefully restored by an expert
Blue leather seats are in excellent condition
Minor signs of use on grey pigskin inserts on centre console
Navy blue carpets look to be in good condition
Original Sony CD system and six speaker system still in place
Compared to the early more angular Esprits, the X180 is far more practical offering plenty of room for taller drivers and the condition of this one is superb – it doesn’t want anything renovating and is all ready to be used and admired by other Lotus fans. Sat behind the Esprit branded original steering wheel and peering at the VDO instruments is a unique experience and it feels every inch the pedigree British supercar.
The pale blue leather trim is unmarked, untorn and feels pleasingly supple, while the navy carpets look in equally fine order. Fans of Eighties cars will also note that as well as the all-important ‘Turbo’ branding on the centre console, the original Sony graphic equaliser is still in place.
The Exterior
Superb Calypso Red paintwork in near concours condition
Now evidence of respray work and superb finish to paint
VARI resin rust-free bodywork is in superb condition
Doors, boot and bonnet all shut neatly
Front indicators, sidelights and headlamp lenses all in perfect order
Tail-light lenses and reflectors all in good condition
Glass removable sunroof opened easily and has a cover so it can be stored in boot
Original Lotus alloy wheels are entirely unmarked
Front tyres are Cooper Zeon CS8 in 195/60 R15 size (dated 2022) with near perfect tread
Rear tyres are Pirelli P600s in 235/60-15 size (dated 2013) with excellent tread
Spare steel wheel looks to be in good condition
The bodywork and paintwork of this Esprit are in exceptional condition with no evidence of repair work or any respray work. The condition is near concours and a real testament to the current owner’s eye for detail. He pointed out that he’d had some stonechips professionally touched in, but these couldn’t be spotted and the Calypso Red paintwork gleams as if it had just rolled out of Hethel yesterday.
Equally the original alloys look to be in unmarked condition with good Pirelli P600 tyres fitted to the rear and a fresh set of Cooper Zeon CS8 tyres fitted to the fronts in 2022. All the light plastics are in fine order and everything is said to work fine.
Only 273 miles since comprehensive PJS service and overhaul
Reconditioned turbo and all belts and tensioners renewed
Stainless steel exhaust
New water pump fitted
Air-conditioning works fine
Owner does not know of any faults
Since its £5,700 comprehensive overhaul and servicing work at Lotus specialists PJS in March 2022 the Lotus has only covered 273 miles and has been kept garaged. As you’d expect, nothing needs doing apart from driving it and enjoying it.
The car started easily and the engine sounded smooth and quiet during the photoshoot. The current owner is not aware of any faults with it and says it drives as it should.
With 215bhp to play with, the car is said to be capable of 0-60mph in a mere 5.1 seconds and a 150mph top speed. It’s quick even by modern standard. However it’s the handling that mid-engined Lotus’s are renowned for and the unassisted steering mated up to the fine damping control should make it a real delight to pilot it along twisty A-roads.
Summary
If you’re going to invest in a collector Lotus, then this Esprit takes some beating. It is unique in being the only one of the 40 Commemorative Edition Esprit Turbos to be finished in Calypso Red and was a special order car. It’s in exceptional original condition and is all ready to be shown at a Lotus event.
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