Lotus Esprit | 1989

Lotus Esprit | 1989

Highlights:

– 2.2-litre four-cylinder naturally aspirated engine, petrol, 5-speed manual transmission

– 53095 miles indicated

– Number 44 of a series of 88 UK-market cars, among the first with the Peter Stevens body

– One of two white UK-market naturally aspirated Esprits for 1989, the only one with air conditioning, according to Lotus documentation

– Extensive documented maintenance history with invoices

The seller offers for sale this 1989 Lotus Esprit, powered by a 2.2-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine, paired with a 5-speed manual transmission. Finished in snow white over a blue and black leather interior, this two-seater coupe shows 53095 miles (85430 km) on the odometer and is described by the seller as a particularly rare example: number 44 of a series of 88 cars destined for the British market, among the first to wear the new Peter Stevens bodywork on the naturally aspirated mechanical basis, and according to the original Lotus documentation one of only two white UK-market naturally aspirated Esprits for 1989, and the only one of the two fitted with air conditioning. The car was later exported to Belgium, converted to left-hand drive and subsequently imported into France, where it has been with its fourth owner for the past ten years.

The car comes with an extensive file including invoices, a French identification attestation for imported vehicles, the Lotus certificate of origin, a Histovec report, an FFVE certificate for French collector registration and past technical inspections; a new technical inspection will be passed for the sale. The documented maintenance record is comprehensive, covering among other items the timing belt and accessory belts (most recently in 2024), rebuilt Dellorto twin-choke carburettors, a gearbox oil change in June 2026, renewed interior leather trim in March 2026, front brake calipers, discs and pads, a fuel pump, the headlight pop-up system and optics, the gear lever mechanism and the hydraulic clutch system. The car sits on a galvanised Eagle chassis with composite bodywork, features the large removable tinted glass roof panel with its original cover, electric windows and twin electrically opening fuel filler flaps, and comes with a new set of door lock barrels and keys.

The Esprit is one of the great British sports car stories. Launched in 1976 with Giorgetto Giugiaro’s dramatic folded-paper wedge design, it gained worldwide fame as James Bond’s submarine car in The Spy Who Loved Me. In 1987 designer Peter Stevens, later of McLaren F1 fame, gave the Esprit a masterful redesign, softening the wedge into the elegant, muscular shape seen here while retaining the mid-engined layout and the famed Lotus chassis balance. The naturally aspirated 912 engine with its twin Dellorto carburettors delivers 170 hp in a car weighing just 1,144 kg, offering the pure, uncorrupted handling and steering feel for which Lotus is celebrated.

Naturally aspirated Stevens-body Esprits were built in far smaller numbers than their turbocharged sisters, and survivors with this level of documentation are rare. With its documented micro-series provenance, long-term ownership and impressive maintenance file, this Esprit represents a compelling opportunity for collectors of British sports cars.

Condition of the bodywork & paint

4 — Very Good. Clean with minimal wear; might need minor replacements for small missing or broken parts.

Condition of the interior

4 — Very Good. Displays only minimal wear and can hit the road any time.

Technical condition

4 — Very Good. Mechanically solid, with potential for minor servicing.

Overall condition

4 — Very Good. Displays only minimal wear and can hit the road any time.

This item is sold on an as-is basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and descriptions of the listing are for information purposes only.

We encourage all potential bidders to inspect the vehicle before placing a bid. Please contact us by phone or email to schedule an appointment.

All auction cars offered have a reserve price. You have only won the item if the seller accepts your bid.

Price changes and errors reserved. The 14-day right of withdrawal does not apply to this auction.

This car is currently located in: Lot department, France.

This car drives, brakes and shifts.

The car has a France registration. The buyer is responsible for registration in his own country and responsible for delivery and collection of any vehicle purchased at the auction.

The description of this car is, to the best of the seller’s knowledge, accurate and not misleading. Route 66 Auctions requests a range of detail about the car from the seller and performs a level of due diligence. However, potential buyers must independently satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of the description. We strongly advise potential buyers to view or arrange inspections as well as conduct any research they feel is necessary before committing to bid or buy.

Please note that it is not uncommon for classic or collectible cars to have received cosmetic repairs in the past, to rectify damage or refresh appearance, and this work may be hard to see even upon visual inspection. Unless there is an explicit statement by the seller to the contrary, please assume that any vehicle could have had bodywork or paintwork. Photographs may not reflect the exact true colour or exact full condition of the vehicle. It is a bidder’s responsibility to assure themselves of the colour and condition of a vehicle, including its interior and the existence of any remedial bodywork or paintwork, before committing to bid or buy.

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