1996 Lotus Esprit V8 twin turbo immaculate For Sale

Red exterior, cream leather interior, factory original red leather steering wheel, 39, 000 miles

The V8 was the last and best of the Esprit line. The Esprit always competed with the 2nd-tier Ferraris, and it was the Esprit V8 that finally forced Ferrari to adopt Magneti Marelli's active electronic driver aids for the Ferrari 355. In other words, the Esprit V8 is the last of the truly visceral, unaided driving experiences in this category. It is to the luxury sportscar market what the Ferrari F40 and the McLaren F1 are to the supercar market - the last and best of the raw experience. Furthermore, the V8 is a totally-original, ground-up Lotus-designed engine - arguably the "most Lotus" of any Lotus engine in the company's history. These factors led me to search (for many years) for an Esprit V8 and finally collect this one.

This particular car is an early V8. As such, it has the (very nice) full-leather interior and the rectangular tail lights of the earlier S4. Its first owner was the owner of the Lotus main dealer in Norfolk, and I understand that he regularly drove it as his personal car. It is a good one - well put together and still tight, reliable, and modern-feeling to drive. The car gets most of its miles from the 3rd owner, who was a Barrister working in the London area, and the car may have been used for occasional commuting by that owner.

The owner just before me kept the car in Oxfordshire and used it only for short journeys in the summer - "garden centre visits and club events" he said to me. He maintained the car well, and he refreshed the suspension, giving the car a smooth, new-car ride quality. He also raised the rear of the car very slightly. It is imperceptible but the result is that the typical under-steer of the Esprit is countered and the car has a very straightforward driving dynamic. This owner also implemented a subtle upgrade to the breaks - the same callipers but larger rotors front and rear. He also fitted a nice stereo with multi-disk CD changer.

I prefer to use the car for occasional longer journeys, including journeys to the continent, and therefore I have pushed the car to a level of reliability that is unusual for a Lotus or indeed any classic. The car has been maintained throughout the time I have owned it by the Southwest Lotus Centre in Devon - widely recognised as the worldwide experts in the Lotus V8 and the same garage that fitted out the Esprit V8 for the Top Gear Patagonia Special. I ship the car to Devon every spring so that the Southwest Lotus Centre can take a look at it and ensure that the car is ready for another season of confident, trouble-free enjoyment.

In my time, Southwest Lotus have replaced the idle air control valve, trying three until we found one that works reliably. They also replaced the engine wiring harness, which was the source of an occasional misfire. I also installed the V8 radiator from later years, because these early V8s came with the original radiator from the Esprit S4 and I was advised that the newer radiator was a safe and sensible modification. Seeing that parts and skills are becoming more and more rare, I asked the Phil Webb at Southwest Lotus to do a complete engine-out inspection and rebuild in 2015. (I wanted to replace the engine oil pump and do the timing belts anyway.) I have piece of mind knowing that the engine is absolutely solid.

I have a complete service history, original owners manual, official service manual and full parts list with Lotus part numbers. The car is fitted with a Tracker device and comes with a smart battery charger / conditioner. The rear tyres are new, and the front tyres will need attention next year or the year after. The car has a glass roof that can be opened or completely removed and stowed in a Lotus leather case in the boot. The air conditioning works.

Since last summer, I have gotten remarried and become a father relatively late in life. I am also expecting to be relocated overseas soon for work. These factors combine to make me think the car is going to get very little use and be difficult for me to look after in the coming years. Therefore, it is for sale. Reasonable offers only please. Any inspection welcome. I am willing to work with international buyers.

Bryn Richards
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