Lotus Esprit S2 in Monaco White (1979)

1979 Lotus Esprit in Monaco White. and has very recently been completely overhauled with a full exterior respray and interior recolour and lots of mechanical work. Please read below and don't be put off by the next paragraph. it's a minor job considering the amount that has already been done over the last two years.
*Currently it is without an MOT and SORNd since it needs some chassis welding on the driver's side which I haved two quotes to fix both around £500. If you are interested. and willing to add this to the asking price then I can get this sorted for you and MOT'd before delivery. Road tax would also be additional. *
I have adjusted the asking price based on this. even if you add the cost of fixing this and the other minro faults it's still at least £3k less than most for sale. I'm looking for a quick sale however.
The story of the car has some gaps but it originally rolled off the production line a very nice 70's gold with brown interior (have a Lotus certificate to prove this). Over the years it had two colour changes from gold to blue and then to yellow. which is when I bought it (October 2011).
After owning the car for a short period of time it was obvious the paintwork was in need of a lot of work as it was looking very tired. Having some time thinking about it. there's no way I could really return the car to gold as it's not that desirable any longer. There was only one option and that was to go fully James Bond and have it turned Monaco White.
The paintwork is immaculate. absolutely superbly done by Riviera Autobody in Reading. who knew the Esprits very well. The whole job was finished November 2012 so it's just over a year old.
Equally the interior needed looking at. It has the more comfortable and adjustable S4 seats fitted but when I bought it. the whole lot were beige. White exterior and a Beige interior was never going to work so I colour matched the latest Lotus leather colours and chose Venom Red which really suits the car.
To summarise:Engine was rebuilt April 2011 by PNM and is fitted with twin Weber carbs. which is non-standard. Most Esprit's are fitted with Dell'ortos. Exterior finished in James Bond Monaco White - bar a couple of tiny modifications with the S2 model. this is an exact replica of the car featured heavily in 'The Spy Who Loved Me'. Interior. full leather finished in Venom Red. from the range of leather colours for the latest Lotus cars. Speedline rims completely refurbished. including new logo inserts. Front windscreen replaced as part of the exterior respray. All seals & exterior trims replaced. Lights. ignition barrel. keys. interior leather sundries. VIN plate. guidance/safety stickers. switches. stalks - you name it. if I've need to replace it I have!
Most recently it's had new rear adjustable shocks fitted. new engine mounts and carburettors rebuild and tune. new front wheel bearing. new rear hub bearing. new steering rack gaiters. new plugs and points.
Plenty of recent paperwork. Lotus certificate of provenance. owners handbook. workshop manual. parts manual and various original sales brochures and magazines.
Notes. aside from the chassis welding mentioned at the top:Electrics - for reasons unknown to me the headlamp pods no longer lift and drop when the headlamps are used. The motors work absolutely fine but were never in sync. Anyone with an ounce of electrical knowledge should be able to fix this with the supplied wiring diagram and some time. Currently the headlamps are in the up position so the car can be used day or night.
Speedo - I'm guessing at some point the speedometer was replaced. possibly as part of the engine rebuild. I doubt very much that this car has only done 11k.
Engine - the belts were replaced when the engine was rebuilt after April 2011. The have barely seen any use at all. myself having only covered less than 3000 miles since then.
Paint - there's a chip in the driver's side door. I noticed after it had spent four months at a local garage. Not sure how it could have happened.
It was most recently on show November 2012 at the NEC as part of the Classic and Sports Car Show and it is a show worth car. The Esprit in general will never be a concours winner as they were never finished to that standard in the first place but this car will have people looking. waving and smiling from the moment you buy it.
There's also plenty of opportunity to hire this car out to various events around the country and even abroad. A white Lotus Esprit of this age is extremely rare. especially a running one.  

Also published at eBay.co.uk

Want to buy this car?