Ex-press Lotus Esprit Turbo heads to auction

A 1992 Lotus Esprit Turbo SE 'High Wing’ could make up to £26,000 when it heads to auction. The Esprit, which is one of just two factory press cars, will go under the hammer at Classic Car Auctions’ sale on 18 June.

As such, this is the very model that adorned the covers and inside pages of motoring when the car was launched 40 years ago. A right-hand drive manual example, finished in Calypso Red with leather interior, it has just over 59,000 miles on the clock.

Guy Lees-Milne, general manager at CCA, said, ‘We’re huge fans of the Lotus Esprit, which perfectly encapsulates Colin Chapman’s philosophy "simplify, then add lightness”, in a supercar package. This car represents an excellent opportunity to acquire a really nice example of a rare model, which has obviously been well cared for.’

The ‘High Wing’ was the only model produced by Lotus in 1992 after the final run of the Elan. It sported the Esprit’s most radical wing to date, along with a revised front bib increasing the top speed to 165mph. Only 64 examples were produced making it a model rarely seen on the market today.

After being retired from the press fleet, this car was later acquired the current vendor – a Lotus enthusiast who has owned more than 20 models. The car comes with a valid MoT Certificate until December and a Lotus ‘Certificate of Vehicle Provenance’.