LOTUS ESPRIT S3 WHITE 1981 JAMES BOND CAR NEEDS A HOME

 You Only Live Once - Stop Driving A Boring Modern Car -

Next Weekend You Could Be Driving A White James Bond Lotus Esprit...

Save Yourself Money & Have Years Of Fun - Even Though It Doesn't Turn It Into A Submarine!

I'll tell you what it does do though - this car turns heads! 

Sure you can buy a red one, or a green one, but in my opinion there’s only one colour this car should be in, and there’s VERY few of them left running.  Many have been broken for spares, some are still running but they’re in god awful condition.  If you're looking at Esprits, you'll find a few that are the Stevens smooth and curvy shape.  BUT THIS IS THE CAR YOU REALLY WANT... and its still in great running order!

If you’re a child of the 70’s like me then THIS IS THE BOND CAR!

If you're anything like me, you saw a certain Roger Moore movie in 1977 and longed to have that sleek, low wedge on wheels.  But you probably gave up on that dream a long time ago, and just settled for what you could have instead.  Well, start dreaming again, because for less than the price of a new car you can have the real deal.

The Esprit S3 was an improvement on the S1 and S2 models produced in 1976, and immortalised by James Bond in 'The Spy Who Loved Me'. I saw that movie when I was 10 years old and I vowed that one day I’d own one.  When I turned 35 in 2002 I decided it was time, and I found this one in Essex.  On Independence Day I drove all the way back to Glasgow grinning like a school boy.

If you’re like me, you probably wanted one too – maybe you still do.  Well, here’s your chance.  And for less than you might spend on some “same old” family saloon.

White with gold decals and wheels, biscuit leather interior.  X Reg and has done 90,000 miles, the car also comes with a large 13 year history folder containing invoices/MOTs & tax discs from its previous owners, plus a genuine Lotus workshop manual. The Insurance costs me only £105 a year, and there's a new MOT til July 2010, taxed til end of this year.  Fitted with immobiliser, stainless steel exhaust and sunroof.  Just added new hoses, battery, plugs, throttle cable and 4 brand new tyres fitted.   You could be driving this by next weekend.

Looked after and just serviced by Scottish classic car specialists.  Anyone who is seriously interested will be taken for a drive in it - really must be viewed.  Any inspection welcome.  Have always kept my James Bond car garaged and used it as 2nd car only since 2002, its never been out in the wet, but sad to say new child means cutbacks [man i'm getting old!].  My wife thinks it’s a bad idea to take my 3 year old to nursery in the Esprit, but the truth is both of us love the looks on the parents’ and teachers’ faces in the car park.   

The Giugiaro shape is far more dramatic than the later Stevens shape.  Finished in Monaco White with gold detailing and gold cross-spoke wheels.   I'd had the Corgi toy, I had the 1/16th model on my desk in the office - now I had the real thing in the garage!

Every time I opened the garage door I'd feel a jolt of excitement - and achievement.  When I saw The Spy Who Loved Me I was 10 years old, and I vowed I'd own one eventually, and now I did.  Maybe you can relate to that?

Registration Number: PMT 255X  [and yes you'd better get used to all the jokes about the first 3 letters]

History file included, so you'll have a paper trail all along the history of the car.  Plus I've got the Lotus workshop manual

Built in 1981 [when I was age 14 and still in secondary school!], this particular car is a Giorgetto Giugiaro model with extremely nice, wide cross-spoke alloy wheels.   Much more edgey and eye-catching than the curvy, safe Stevens version boo hiss!  The strength of the Esprit is the galvanised chassis and awesome handling thanks to it's low weight - this thing takes 90 degree hairpin corners in 5th gear!

  Imagine the looks on your mates' faces at the next Halloween party, or on the morning school run...

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION.

Configuration / Fuel type. 4 cyl / Petrol
Capacity. 2174cc
Fuel system. Twin Dellorto carburettors
Transmission. 5-speed manual (as used in Citroen SM, Maserati Merak) Rear Wheel Drive
Steering - non power assisted

Coachwork : 

Considering her age the shell is in good condition with a few stress lines on the fibre glass, and the overall appearance is excellent in what in my humble opinion is the ONLY colour for the Esprit.  I wasn't ready for the reaction it gets - Males between the ages of 20 and 70 will stop and stare at you.

Chassis :

I’ve had the car regularly serviced and maintained by a specialist Classic Car in Glasgow for the last 7 years.  The galvanised chassis on the car is in great condition.  Problem free driving.

Interior:

The overall condition is good but could be buffed up.  The seats and the leather door panels are in good condition as are the “A” pillar coverings, and I had the sun visors recovered so they're good as new.  The seats are original and when you’re driving the Esprit its like lying in your bed.  You are kept snugly in place when you take corners at any speed.  The carpets are original plus newish mats on top, the roof lining is intact.  You'll think it's 1981 again when you see the illuminated cigarette lighters.  Yeah baby!

Running:

The engine is in good condition (having been regularly serviced by Classic Car garage in Glasgow over the years ).  As far as I know the engine has not had a rebuild, nor a cam belt change, so bear that in mind.  She runs well, especially on the open road.  Remember that this is essentially a low slung Lotus race car, so you do feel every bump, and that’s part of the appeal.  Still has teeth and can outrun the boy racers though!

Wheels and Tyres:

I've fitted brand new tyres all round. The Gold Alloy wheels are eye-catching and come up lovely when you wash them on a Sunday afternoon.

Electrics:

Everything works, the only thing missing is the electrical aerial which I accidentally snapped off while polishing her last year. Doh!  But you can still play cassettes [if you still have any...]

The car is fitted with an alarm and a Thatcham immobiliser.  Its also been kept safely in a garage with the gas boiler to keep it warm and dry.

On the Road :

Every journey is a fun adventure. Obviously it prefers the open road to town or city driving, but will happily sit in traffic while other drivers look down at it and reminisce.   Because its essentially a Lotus racing car it performs best on the open road, but its quite happy in town.  Just make sure the parking spaces are sensible for such a special car.

Overall...

I really hate to hand her over, but as long as she goes to a good home then you and she will get on great.  There's very few of these cars left on the road, especially in James Bond white.  It drives well with excellent steering and handling. It also sounds amazing and people will hear you coming!

You also get a substantial file of service receipts, tax discs, and assorted paper trail.  This particular car still performs well, and can be used as a daily runner or a weekend fun roadster.  Perfectly acceptable as a runabout, though you could spend some money on her if you wanted.  

I can also give you advice on who to insure her with and where to source spare parts should you need them in the future. 

Good luck with the auction, HAPPY BIDDING and thanks for looking.

Jonathan Clark

P.S. Bear in mind that this is a 28 year old classic car, therefore it needs more care and attention than a 2009 mass-produced hatchback.  If you have any doubt about classic car ownership please do not bid on the car.  Please remember you are bidding in an auction and the final price will be the final price.   But wouldn't it be worth it to own a 007 car?  Bid on this today!

You are welcome to view and inspect the car yourself  - please do not hesitate to call on : 0141 639 7099 to arrange a viewing.  Or use the Contact Seller link to email me any questions you might have - I'm happy to answer any and all serious enquiries and will get back to you.

P.P.S. If the wining bidder is not UK Mainland based,  it would be up to the wining bidder to organise the necessary transportation and paperwork..

Seller's payment instructions

On succesful bid, the winning bidder will contact the vendor by phone on 0141 639 7099 or email within 24 hours of auction end.

The payment will be either Paypal, Credit Card, Bank transfer or Cheque.  Obviously the car will not be released until funds have cleared.  Money launderers and terrorists need not apply!

If you require additional pictures, please do not hesitate to email.