Limited edition 1987 Lotus Esprit Turbo HC up for auction

Here is a great chance for classic car fans to own a highly collectible limited edition 1987 Lotus Esprit Turbo HC in a ‘no reserve’ online auction, which will close on Monday 13 April.

Put up by online classic car auctioneer, The Market, this is one of just 21 examples of its kind which were made to celebrate 21 years of Lotus production at its Hethel factory.

This particular Lotus Esprit Turbo HC is recorded as number 10 of the limited run. Rarer still, it is one of only five finished in the iconic two-tone ‘Essex Blue’ coachwork.

The car is in immaculate condition, with the paintwork almost completely free of blemishes and still with its original upholstery and trim. With just 54,600 miles on the clock the auction house has estimated the Lotus at £40,000 to £50,000.

“This Lotus Esprit Turbo HC is in staggeringly good condition - one of the best, if not the best, example of its type,” comments Tristan Judge, director, The Market. “As such a rare car and in such fantastic condition, it will be ideal for gentle use or as the centrepiece of a classic car collection. These rare models are one of the ’Holy Grails’ of any modern Lotus collection.”

Features of the limited edition car include a sterling silver plaque inside the vehicle plus unique decals on the exterior, again proudly displaying the car’s unique number. The exterior badging is present and correct too, including the side-mounted ‘Limited Edition 10’ scripts.

Leaving the factory in Hethel on 27 February 1987, the car was sold new by the Norfolk Motor Company in Norwich to a company in Corby. The Esprit later travelled to Portugal where it spent around 14 years in a private collection. It wasn’t driven in this time, hence its condition and mileage.

Having returned to the UK in 2018, the car has now been in the hands of an Esprit enthusiast since April 2019. It had been intended to be the owner’s ‘forever car’ and was subsequently treated to over £10,000 worth of extensive recommissioning.