19th Jun, 2024 13:00

Imperial War Museum | Duxford, Cambridgeshire

 
Lot 2
 

1989 Lotus Esprit Turbo
Just 37,000 recorded miles

Sold for £19,688

(including buyers premium)


Lot details

Registration No: F640 DNG
Chassis No: SCC082910KHD65159
MOT: November 2024

  • Just 37,000 recorded miles
  • 1 of just 1,562 Lotus Esprit Turbo (X180) cars understood to have been made from 1987-1991
  • Benefitting from some £11,000 worth of improvements since 2021
  • In current ownership since 2017
  • Desirable and collectible modern Lotus

The Esprit metamorphosed through several series over the next two decades before the model's ultimate expression - the V8 - arrived in 1996. Lotus had first employed turbocharged induction in 1980 on the Essex Turbo Esprit, a limited edition model featuring the Blue/Red/Chrome livery of the Essex Overseas Petroleum Corporation, sponsor of Team Lotus from 1979 to 1981. The Essex paved the way for the series production Turbo Esprit, the arrival of which in April 1981 coincided with that of the S3 models. Despite having a wet sump, the Turbo's 2.2-litre Garrett-blown engine produced the same power (210bhp) as the Essex's dry-sump unit. The Turbo Esprit retained the aerodynamic body kit of the Essex cars and featured prominent 'Turbo Esprit' decals on the nose and sides. The Turbo's top speed was 148mph, with 60mph attainable in 6.1 seconds. In 1987, the Esprit was comprehensively restyled by Peter Stevens, who produced a less angular, more rounded and much more modern look. The turbocharged car's name was changed to 'Esprit Turbo', while the major mechanical updates were a Renault GTA gearbox and outboard rear brakes.

Manufactured new in 1989, chassis number 65159 is one of just 1,562 Lotus Esprit Turbo (X180) supplied and was sold new to the home market, being first registered as ‘F640 DNG’ on the 25th of May that year. Finished in Calypso Red with Cream leather interior upholstery, the Lotus is understood to have only resided in the United Kingdom for around 12 months, the Esprit Turbo was exported to the car-friendly climate of Japan thereafter. Residing in Japan for the subsequent twenty-seven years, the Esprit was acquired by the vendor in 2017 and was subsequently repatriated. Retained by the vendor ever since, the Lotus has been substantially improved during this period, receiving over £11,000 worth of enhancement, which included bodywork repairs and repainting, servicing with new spark plugs, new emissions and turbocharger control pipes, retrimmed boot compartment, a brake refresh, and alloy wheel refurbishment. Offered with just 37,000 miles on the odometer, this is a low mileage desirable and collectible Lotus modern classic!

For more information, please contact:
Paul Cheetham
paul.cheetham@handh.co.uk
07538 667452

 

Auction: Imperial War Museum | Duxford, Cambridgeshire, 19th Jun, 2024

An auction of classic, collector and performance motorcars held at the iconic and visually stunning Imperial War Museum, Duxford. Venue Details 

Browse the Catalogue 

View all lots in this sale

All successful bids must be paid in full by midday the day after the auction at the latest.

You can collect your new pride and joy from our venue until 1pm the day following the sale or our partners are on hand to help arrange safe transportation:

               

Do you have an item to sell?

If so, contact one of our friendly specialists for your free valuation by completing the form below and someone will get back to you as quickly as possible.

If you prefer to speak to humans, don't hesitate to call our office on +44 (0)1925 210035

Contact Us Today!

 

Images

Drag and drop .jpg images here to upload, or click here to select images.


H&H Classics rounds off 2024 with strong performance
Relive blockbuster TV show Rivals by owning a ‘racy’ classic
Buxton auction has single ownership, rare and desirable classics going under the hammer
Quality and quantity represented at mammoth classic motorcycle auction
Quadrophenia album scooter with links to Pete Townsend and Liam Gallagher up for auction
H&H Classics last Cambridgeshire auction in 2024 sees ‘star’ results
Ducati delight as six superb examples from one collection go under the hammer
German engineering and style showcased at classic car auction
Norton’s first F1R ever produced up for auction
Best of British heads impressive collection of 160 classics for auction
Exciting new premises are close to hand for H&H Classics
X-press yourself…Jaguar purchased by Madonna could be yours to cherish
Oldest known surviving Ford Advanced Vehicle Operations (AVO) car heads to auction
James Bond’s Vanquish available to ‘Drive Another Day’
Chalky’s actual Lambretta which featured in Quadrophenia heads for auction
Automobilia auction raises more than £194,000 with all 329 lots sold
Entire catalogue offered without reserve in one-off automobilia auction
Impressive results at latest H&H Classics auction
Dozens of ‘no-reserve’ classics head to auction
Recently restored Audi Quattro press car heads to auction
Classic motorcycle auction highlights buoyant market
Rare barn find stars in classic motorcycle auction
Highly original Jaguar SS100 flies away at Duxford sale
Modified classics add a twist to H&H’s next motorcycle sale
Century of motoring history represented at H&H auction
World’s biggest production pick-up truck roars to auction
Mercedes-Benz 500SL delivered new to Sir Stirling Moss heads to auction
Cars from the 1910s to the 2010s head to auction for Buxton sale
H&H’s motorcycle sales off to a flying start in 2024 with market-leading 88 percent sales rate
Goon, Goon, Gone: Unique Peter Sellers 1960 Bentley heads to auction
Eclectic 150-plus classic car auction helps round out H&H’s milestone 30th year celebrations
One of the UK’s best driving Aston Martin DB5s heads to auction
Mid-century sports car icons race to Buxton auction
Former front cover ‘star’ heads to auction
Classic British motorcycles shine as 230 lots head to the National Motorcycle Museum auction
Racing legend Patsy Burt's Jaguar XK120 speeds to Buxton auction
22-strong single owner classic motorcycle collection heads to auction
Norton's racing heritage set to ignite the auction stage
Rare Frazer-Nash BMW with rich racing history to be auctioned
“The Rolls-Royce” of the motorcycle world, heads to      auction
Martini inspired Porsche 911 ‘RSR’ Tribute to head under the hammer
Rare ‘Car on Two Wheels’ heads to auction for the first time in 30 years
More than 100 classics sold in H&H’s 30th anniversary sale
Stunning classics worth more than £9 million offered in 30th anniversary auction
Rare Aston Martin DB1 heads to anniversary auction from long-term ownership
Rare Bentleys to star in 30th celebration auction
H&H Classics 30th Anniversary Auction
H&H unveils details of its 30th anniversary celebrations