1978 Lotus Esprit S1
classic car, Sportscar
See 70+ pictures here: http://www.taylormadeclassiccars.com/images/78espritpictures.pdf
Very late Series 1 Lotus Esprit, build date
November 1977 and titled a 1978. Matching numbers engine, twin Dell'orto carbs,
5-speed, nice blue suede interior, lush carpets, good headliner, good door
panels, after-market steering wheel (original included), sporty
"Revolution-type" star alloy wheels, good tires, air horns. Newer
AM/FM cassette stereo system. Runs and drives, but needs a little TLC. A near
"driver" condition show car for a "rolling restoration"
project.
THE GOOD:
Appears accident free and no obvious body
repairs are evident. The white paint job is a repaint from some years
ago.
Original color was blue (code L32). The repaint involved a total tear
down as
there is no evidence of the original color or overspray issues
anywhere. Could use a good buffing/waxing. Engine runs good,
starts easily and drives
(yard driven) but I have not had it out on the highways. Clutch works
good and
shifts into all gears. ALL electrics
work (windows, lights, gauges, signals, fans, high beams, air horns,
etc.) Frame is solid and structurally sound with only
minor surface rust evident. Galvanized
lower control arms, appears to be newer ball joints and tie rod
ends. Just rebuilt front brake calipers w/
stainless steel pistons and new front brake hoses. New
professionally fabricated twin gas tanks
installed, new motor mounts, new battery, new rear hatch struts
installed. Receipts and maintenance file showing
thousands spent on restoration work performed by Ragtops & Roadsters
out of
Perkasie, PA from 2010-2013.
THE NOT
SO GOOD:
Rear hatch window glass has been replaced with a
quality Plexiglas window product with no rear window defrost elements. Windshield wiper "skips"
and must be "helped" back to return position. Veglia gauge cluster odometer reset to all
00000's. (Title shows mileage as "exempt") Minor engine oil leaks typical of older
British cars. Transaxle drips gear oil.
Interior has some wear typical of age. Two wear spots (pictured) on dash
and center console. Front and rear
bumpers have minor crack (see pictures)
No seat belts, spare, jack or tools.
SUMMARY:
All in all, a nice "driver" condition
classic car. A fairly complete and worthy rolling restoration project. With
some additional TLC, you can take this to the next level. S1 Esprits are rare and in-demand. They are the
epitome of the iconic wedge design and very few examples remain. Current
Hagerty valuations of "Good" condition bring $20,500 and trending
upward! Smart investment!
Please
remember that this is an "antique" vehicle 39 years old.
It needs TLC and is consistent with a vehicle with this mileage, age and
use. Car is available for pre-bid inspections and I would always
encourage and welcome this. I am proud of my 100% excellent feedback
score and always try to give accurate descriptions so that there are no
surprises or disappointments. I am open and receptive to realistic offers
considering all that is included.
Those
with less than ten (10) or negative feedback history do NOT bid unless you
contact me and communicate first, otherwise your bids will be retracted and
bidder banned from further bidding. The winning bid is NOT a right of
first refusal, but a commitment to purchase the vehicle regardless of anything,
so a non-refundable deposit via PayPal is required within 24 hours of auction
ending and arrangements to be made for pickup of item. Vehicle is listed
"for sale" by other venues and media, so I reserve the right to
terminate the listing at any time.
Will
sell world-wide, but any and all shipping/transport arrangements to be made and
paid for by winning bidder/buyer.
See 70+
pictures here: http://www.taylormadeclassiccars.com/images/78espritpictures.pdf