Registration - V88 ESP

Chassis No. - SCCDA0824WHC15624

M.O.T. - November 2024

Odometer - 61,435

This ultra-desirable Lotus Esprit V8 GT – with a similarly desirable registration number! – is being offered by the vendor “very reluctantly,” and only because they’ve bought another Lotus. With only three former keepers, this 1999 example is fresh from a comprehensive overhaul by highly-rated Wirral specialists PNM Engineering. This included new discs, pads and ABS wheel sensors, plus a refurbished Kelsey Hayes ABS unit. Brake pipes were renewed throughout, while on the engine front, the twin-turbo powertrain benefits from one new and one refurbished turbo, a new clutch, a full gearbox rebuild and new engine mounts. The cambelts were replaced in November 2021, and it had new exhaust manifolds and studs less than 4,000 miles ago. The vendor says it has even had new radiators, including air conditioning radiators, with the only job outstanding being a new gasket for the air con pump. Other highlights include four new Yokohama tyres and fresh suspension ball joints.

‘V88 ESP’ has an odometer reading around 61,500 miles and boasts an enviable 13 stamps in its service book. The vendor says it was protected in storage for a few years as the previous keeper was overseas, but they have actively used it since they bought it three years ago – and they add it took them almost two years to find an example this good, with unmarked interior and paintwork. “It’s had well over £17,000 spent in a mere 4,000 miles, and there are a lot more previous receipts, MOTs and so on in the history file.” An interesting extra detail for enthusiasts are the tinted windows, which were only fitted to special Lotus show models.

The legendary Lotus Esprit was a masterpiece of design from Giugiaro introduced in 1976. As one of Lotus’ longest-running models, it has become a definitive car for the Norfolk sports car firm, with almost 11,000 models sold in a near-30-year period. For decades, the Esprit used a four-cylinder engine, which was later turbocharged, but never really delivered the exotic experience to match the rest of this divine supercar. That all changed in 1996, with the launch of the Esprit V8. The 3.5-litre twin-turbo Type 918 engine was an all-Lotus design, producing 350hp for 0-60mph acceleration in under 5.0 seconds. The engine was later used in the Esprit GT1 race car, which later became competitive in GT2 racing.

In summary:

• Desirable Lotus Esprit V8 GT
• Comprehensive history file shows extensive expenditure
• Described as having 'unmarked paintwork and interior’