Lotus Esprit Turbo Essex Commemorative, 1981
Lotus Esprit III
Lotus Esprit III•
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Chassis No.: SCCFC20A6AHD10941
Engine No.: CD910810119099
Not Sold
- Variant: Essex LE
- Transmission: Manual
- Body Colour: Essex Blue
One of only seven surviving Essex Petroleum-liveried Lotus Esprit Turbos in excellent condition.
This is an outstanding Commemorative example of the flamboyant Formula One sponsorship deal fashioned by Colin Chapman and the equally enigmatic David Theime of the Essex Overseas Petroleum Corporation. The press launch in October 1980 raised the bar in sponsorship profile terms with the association introducing high glamour, high spending and an innovative approach to team hospitality. The Lotus F1 liveries of Elio De Angelis and Mario Andretti were to become one of the all-time most iconic colour schemes in Formula 1 history. Offered here is chassis #17 of only twenty-two Essex Esprits built and it still presents with the same level of 'wow' factor that it did 45 years ago.
The paintwork is superb with a stunning all red leather interior and aircraft-style centre roof console housing switchgear and the Panasonic stereo, and it still retains its original extra wide split-rim Compomotive alloys. The history file is comprehensive to say the least and commensurate to a Lotus as significant as this. Supplied new by Lotus Main Dealers Randles of Stoke-on-Trent to a Mr. D Preston, it contains the original owner’s wallet and service book, original brochures, Lotus archive correspondence and the current MOT valid until January 2027.
Most recent work carried out in November 2024 included a full brake overhaul including callipers, turbo wastegate, drive belts, reset cam and ignition timing and spark plugs.
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