Now here’s a highly uncommon sight here in the heartland, at least outside of big cities like Chicago. While Paul’s S1 Esprit find was pretty remarkable, I posit that spotting a Lotus Turbo Esprit in the small town of Geneseo, IL (pop. 6,586) is an even more unlikely find.
If like me, you’re a child of the ’80s, your most vivid memory of the Esprit could be of the white S1 from the film The Spy Who Loved Me. Kind of funny, thinking a British car could be watertight, eh? I guess Q Branch had really stepped up their game.
But that was the S1; today’s CC is an S3 Turbo Esprit, one of the newer Lotuses preferred by Agent 007 in the early ’80s. This has got to be the most effective (if not the most practical) anti-theft device ever installed on a car. I don’t think this will buff out.
image: lotusespritworld.com
The S3 Esprits, introduced in April of 1981, added the ground effects and other niceties of the limited edition S2 Essex, but were available in something other than that highly collectible Turbo Lotus’s metallic blue paintwork and striking red leather interior. The 1981 “regular production” Turbo Esprit was basically the Essex, without its special colors and in slightly reduced trim spec.
Judging from the center brake light, our CC must be an ’86 or ’87. Regardless of the model year, it is a rare car, as one of only 1,845 Turbo Esprits built between 1981 and October 1986.
Not much break in the angle between the hood and the windshield, is there? With a cd of 0.30, the Esprit was appropriately slippery. In Turbo Esprit form, that translated to 210 hp @ 6250 rpm, 200 lb-ft of torque at 4500 r/min, a top speed of 150 mph, and zero-to-60 in a mere 5.6 seconds. Not too shabby.
The top half of the Esprit is an especially good look example of the wind-cheating wedge design.
The Esprit even shared a little something with the finest velour-clad Broughams of the ’70s–specifically, hidden headlights–but in this case, they were there for the sake of aerodynamics. All this might look a bit blocky to modern eyes, but this was cutting edge stuff in the ’80s. And unlike the bescooped and bespoilered Lamborghini Countach, the Esprit was rather elegant, at least for a supercar.
As you would expect of such a sports car, interior accommodations were luxurious, if slightly claustrophobic. I’ve never sat inside one of these cars, but from the looks of it there appears to be decent legroom; headroom, however, might be another story. Still, if you could fit, you’d get places fast.
I believe our featured CC has been repainted, as it’s missing the prominent coachlines and “Turbo Esprit” badging it would have had when it was new. In fact, I didn’t even realize it was a Turbo until I saw the small logo on the center console.
I happened upon this striking black-over-tan Esprit in Geneseo, IL, where I was attending the excellent Trains, Planes and Automobiles car show. While you understandably might think it was part of the show, it actually was several blocks away, just up from the street where I’d parked. Perhaps another show attendee? Probably more likely than a local resident, eh?
In any case, this S3 is in fine shape, and looks quite sharp in black. And for the benefit of those motorists who do not frequent CC, “Lotus” is prominently stamped into the rear bumper. “Earl, what’s that funny-looking car?” “I don’t know Edna, maybe it’s Japanese.” I kid, I kid.
Since the Esprit and the ill-fated DeLorean both had bodies designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, there a number of similarities, especially from the rear.
image: lov2xlr8.no
Although the S3 was more powerful and luxurious than earlier Esprits, Lotus had even more in store for 1988 in the form of new sheetmetal and even more power. Nineteen eighty-seven was the last year for the squared-off Esprit, and in a fitting send-off for the original Giugiaro design, the ’87 Turbo HC got even more power, courtesy of Mahle pistons and redone exhaust manifolds. The HC produced 215 hp @ 6000 rpm, a top speed of 152 mph and a 0-60 time of 5.5 seconds. In the end, the Esprit would last all the way to 2004–as perhaps the last true Lotus in the lineup (for a full timeline of Esprit development, check out this chronology here). Not a bad run, all things considered.
I’ve seen this Lotus while visiting the in-laws in N.W. Illinois about a year ago. I have driven one a few times, friend of my roommates. It fit me just right, but wouldn’t fit other people. Not much adjustments to the seat/wheel. Very fun drive. I remember seeing one for sale in Hemmings a couple years ago that had 120k miles on it. Couldn’t believe that number. I called them to see if it was 12K and yep the car had 120K miles on it. Has to be the highest mileage Lotus ever.
Art Vandelay….ahahahaha I love it
How about H.E. Pennypacker or Dr. Martin Van Nostrand?
Oh, it’s time for Seinfeld references, is it? Which reminds me of the best picture that I never took. A couple of years ago, on my way to work, I spotted an ’80s LeBaron convertible with fake-wood-paneled sides in the parking lot of a dentist’s office. No, the dentist’s name was not Dr. Voigt, but it would have been one heck of a picture. But, alas, I had no camera with me that day.
A beautiful car, one of Guigiaro’s best. I think the look has aged well. Not quite as fond of the 1987 and 1993 redesigns which softened the bold origami lines.
Maybe it’s just my age, but these never really spoke to me. I had loved cars from an early age, but there was something about these really angular 1980s styles that did not draw me in. Add the fact that I was becoming a full-fledged adult with rent, insurance and student loan payments, and these didn’t have any relevance to my life, other than to grace the covers of the buff mags every month.
Still, it is an incredible find. Those of us in the midwestern US have some fairly slim pickings, and something like this is a thrill to find just because of its rarity.
I will say that I kind of like the interior treatment. The super-pod that contains the instruments is reminiscent of some late 1950s designs.
I really like that S2 Essex for some reason. Can’t quite put my finger on why.
I am willing to bet good money that any Lotus would be one uncomfortable sled. I can’t imagine how cramped that Esprit is inside.
Also, I am continually amazed by the improvements in interior design over the last 20-30 years. What used to pass for luxury now looks cheaper than a new economy car interior.
Another 1980’s thing that Lotus shares is the name molded into the plastic bumper. That may be a US-only feature, I suppose….
My favorate 80’s thing these Esprits could have were the massive Panasonic radios mounted to the roof in the center. It really completes the vibe.
That is one of the coolest darn things I have ever seen. I want one just to have that.
My favourite Esprit – not quite as fragile looking as the first, but not as Toyota Supra like as the later ones. Its a look which wears well – inside and out!
I’m not a fan of Doorstop “Supercars”, but this one I like. I have no idea why either. I’d take the Esprit, a DeLorean or an M4S (if only Ma Mopar had the guts to make a production car out of it.).
Geneseo is an odd place to find one of these for sure. In my 38 or so years in Chicago’s shadows I never ran across an Esprit. Now that I’m out “in the Country” I’m on CC overload.
I love the Turbo esprit! It’s the only version that really wears those Rover SD1 taillights any good (They look tacked on on the S2s, the Fiat sourced S1s looked better, IMO)
My only exposure to them besides 007 has been through real old magazines and articles as well as my autoart diecast models though. I have never seen any S1-S3 Esprit in person, yet.
I also like this car an awful lot, even beyond the silly but AWESOME roof-mounted radio. The Countach and Testa Rossa were just too… I don’t know, too vulgar, too Miami Vice perhaps. I don’t have a lot of love for those, but these elegant Esprits speak to me the way the speak to a few of you up there on this thread. Where I’m from (Temperance, MI, just across the border from Toledo, OH), there was someone who drove his (hers?) around during the summers I spent behind the wheel of my old Hyundai 10 or 15 years ago. Is it still there, being loved and enjoyed by whoever? It could be, but I’m long gone and have only the memory of it in my head. Very, very cool, and I want one only a little less than I want a DB7 or a Mustang GT.
Looks like the interior was thrown together using random parts found in the dumpster out back.