Vehicle Details

• Year: 1985
• Make: Lotus
• Model: Turbo Esprit
• VIN: SCCFC20A5FHF60694
• Mileage: 50,092
• Transmission: Manual
• Title Status: Clean
• Color: Glacier Blue
• Seller: Farmhouse27
• Seller Type: Dealer
• Location: Westhampton, NY 11977
• Dealer Fees: None
• Lot #: V-0011215

Now available for auction is this 1985 Lotus Turbo Esprit finished in Glacier Blue over a blue interior.  The final iteration of the Giorgetto Giugiaro “folded paper” design, the Series-III Esprit features a turbocharged 2.2L engine linked to a 5-speed manual gearbox as well as an aerodynamic body kit derived from the special edition Essex model of the previous series.  This 1985 example is equipped with adjustable Protech coilovers, a vintage Clarion stereo, and is said to have undergone a major timing belt and clutch service in 2017 along with a recent rebuild of the turbocharger unit.  Now showing just over 50k miles on the 5-digit odometer, this striking Lotus Turbo Esprit is being offered for auction by its seller out of New York.

One of Giorgetto Giugiaro's very first polygonal "folded paper" designs, the Esprit became an instant sensation after its appearance in the 1977 James Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me.  Giugiaro was also given the prestigious title of “Car Designer of the Century” with his projects including Maserati’s original Ghibli, the Iso Grifo, and the Volkswagen Golf Mk1 as well as the DMC DeLorean.

This Series-III model is finished in Glacier Blue and was among the last of the Giugiaro-designed Esprits.  It carried over the aerodynamic body kit developed for the Series-II special edition Essex model, including a rear lip spoiler, louvered rear hatch, a front air dam, and extended rocker panels with integrated NACA ducts.  Turbo Esprit script can be seen on the rear quarter panels.  This example rides on factory color-matched BBS basketweave wheels dressed in proper Vredestein Giugiaro Design Sportrac 5 tires.

Inside, the cabin is appointed with blue carpeting and blue leather upholstery covering the seats, dashboard, door panels, and center console.  The seats are believed to have been reupholstered at some point during previous ownership along with the installation of a Clarion stereo and cassette player.  A 12-disc CD changer is also mounted in the front trunk.  Compared with its predecessor, the Series-III Esprit offered increased headroom and larger footwells.  The seller reports all gauges and accessories to be working properly at this time. 

This Esprit carries a mid-mounted 2.2L inline 4-cylinder turbocharged engine with dual 45mm Delloroto carburetors.  As much as 215 HP is sent to the rear wheels through a Citroën-derived 5-speed C35 manual gearbox.  The suspension has been upgraded with a set of adjustable Protech coilovers which were reportedly installed during the mid-1990s. The fuel system is also said to have been rebuilt during previous ownership as well as a later timing belt and clutch replacement in 2017.  The car has spent most of its time in storage since 2017 and has been recently treated to a rebuild of the turbocharger unit.  The seller reports occasional smoke from the engine, although they believe this will likely go away as the car continues to be driven.

This sale will include the original owner's handbook and a clean title.  A cultural icon and one of the most striking designs of its era, this rare Lotus Turbo Esprit provides phenomenal value as a collector car.  Do not let this opportunity pass you by.

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Seller: Farmhouse27 (other listings)

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