Oldtimer Australia is delighted to offer for sale an Australian-delivered, factory right-hand drive 1987 Lotus Turbo Esprit HCI.

There is correspondence on file with Andy Graham from Lotus in the UK confirming that this car was imported into Australia by James Smith Motor Imports. The car retains its original Australian compliance plate, which is dated 01/88.

The Turbo Esprit HCI was the very last of the original Giugario-designed Esprits, being replaced with the softer Peter Stevens designed car, designated X180, in 1988.

The Turbo Esprit HCI was an important model for Lotus as it was used to relaunch the marque in Australia, which was actually a complicated exercise. The British-supplied right-hand drive cars, designated as Turbo Esprit HC, with twin Dellorto DHLA 45 carburettors did not meet Australian emission rules at the time. The story is well documented in the May 1987 issue of Modern Motor magazine. James Smith from James Smith Motor Imports stated “ . . .a lot of work has gone into getting the car back on the market in Australia, which includes a re-engineering job involving both American and British components. It was not simply a matter of transplanting an American unleaded petrol engine into the back of a British Esprit, and Mr Smith has been responsible – with Lotus – for the creation of a one-off vehicle. The Australian car has different suspension, improved ground clearance, larger wheel arches, a new front spoiler, wider and lower seats, and a host of other improvements.” The article states that Smith hoped to sell in excess of 20 cars, however, we understand that there were in fact 11 Lotus Turbo Esprit HCI’s imported and sold new in Australia.

Today this car presents essentially as it left Lotus’ Hethel factory all those years ago, having aged gracefully over time. It is an incredibly original and beautifully preserved example, finished in ‘Calypso Red’ (Paint Code A23) with a beige interior. The paint and interior both look to be original.

The very early history of this car is not known, however, by at least 1990 it had found its way into the ownership of Humphry Statter 3^rd. Statter was a Melbourne based enthusiast who amassed a significant collection of cars over a very short period of time in the early 1990’s. He sparingly, and in some cases never, used his cars and most were stored at the Chequered Flag Stables which was a car storage facility in Moorabbin, a southern suburb of Melbourne. This Esprit was one of Statter’s favourite cars which he mostly kept at his home and it was used from time to time. There is a VIC Roads registration document dated 19^th September 1990 on file in his name. At that time the car was registered as DJR032X. In March 1992 he changed the registration to HMPHRY N.

Statter passed away in April 2018 and his car collection sold off in May 2019. According to the information provided at the time of sale, the car was last registered on the 27^th June 2012, it had not been driven been driven for approximately 5 years and was last started approximately 4 years ago.

The car was acquired by a Brisbane based enthusiast who sent it to Brisbane based Lotus specialists Automotion, based in Enoggera for recommissioning and a major service. The work included new fluids, new spark plugs, a new fuel filter and a new timing belt. A number of fuel injection components were overhauled by a Sydney Bosch fuel injection specialist and a set of brand new period correct Pirelli tyres were fitted.

At that time the odometer read 17,047 km.

The car was then used and enjoyed before it was sold to its current owner in mid 2020 with the odometer at 18,996 km.

Over the last five years this fabulous car has been driven and at the time of photographing the odometer read 24,435 km. Importantly, the car has continued to be fastidiously maintained, firstly by a private mechanic and more recently by British car specialists Classic & Prestige Auto Services

In terms of major work, Brisbane based auto electrical and air conditioning specialists, Just Classic Cars, overhauled and upgraded the air conditioning system as well as went through and sorted various electrical issues with the car.

In January 2023 the car was taken to Classic & Prestige Auto Services to have the alternator replaced.

The gearbox is a known weak point on a Lotus Esprit. The S1, S2 and S3 all used the Citroen C35 transmission, which was used in the Citroen DS and SM. In these cars the gearbox was mounted in front of the engine and as a result it ran in the opposite direction.  When used in the Esprit, Lotus had to adapt the gearbox otherwise it would have resulted into 5 gears in reverse and one gear forward!

In July 2023 Classic and Prestige reconditioned and upgraded the gearbox and differential. At the time a new crankshaft oil seal and spigot bearing were installed.  A follow up oil change was completed in December 2023 and the door rubbers were replaced in May 2024.

We were genuinely excited when this car arrived at our showroom. Its overall presentation is incredible given the car’s originality and its age. And yes, we are well aware that Lotus’ were never that well-built which makes this car an ever better story!

The paintwork, which looks to be essentially original, is still in excellent condition. It has retained a strong depth of colour and a high gloss finish. There are only a few small stone chips consistent with a car that has been used and enjoyed, albeit for only 24,435 km, yet obviously well cared for. The fibre glass body work is in very good condition with excellent panel gaps and no cracks evident.

The most notable wear is to the black anodised window trims. All the decals, stripes and badges on the car present well. Both the front and rear bumpers are in a good condition though there are some marks on them. The glass has all the correct markings and appears to be original. It is in a good condition with no chips or cracks evident. The lights and lenses are also in excellent condition.

The BBS wheels, which are a real feature, are in generally good condition with only some very small marks evident. The left front wheel has some light kerb rash. The front wheels are shod with Pirelli Cinturato P6 tyres, size 195/60/R15 which are date stamped 4418 (week 44,2018) and the rear wheels are shod with Pirelli P600 tyres, size 205/235/60/R15 which are date stamped 4617 (week 46,2017). Both the front and rear tyres are still in good condition.

Inside the cabin everything has been beautifully preserved and it really is neat and tidy. The seats are comfortable and provide excellent support. The leather is still in a good condition with no rips or tears evident. The curved instrument binnacle right in front of you presents well. All the instruments and warning lights in it are clear and all appear to be in good working order. The top of the dashboard is also in good condition. Even the carpets are clean and present well.

When the previous owner acquired the car the factory radio was not working and it was deemed to be beyond repair by a classic car audio specialist. It has been replaced with a modern Kenwood unit.

A really cool feature of this car is that the roof panel can easily be removed which effectively transforms the car from a coupe to a targa. There is also a wind deflector which can be installed to reduce wind noise.

From the moment this Turbo Esprit was delivered to our showroom there has been heated debate about who should get to drive it first! We were all keen to get behind the wheel to find out what it was like to drive. Well, we were not disappointed. Compared to previous models of the Esprit, the ergonomics have definitely improved. It is a lot easier, even for taller people, to find a comfortable driving position in the car. After having adjusted the seat to the right position we take a moment to just admire the interior. It is actually quite luxurious and everything is where you expect it to be. There is that typically Esprit curved dashboard in front of you and just to remind you which car you are driving there is the “Turbo Esprit” print on the panel with the AC controls just below the radio.

Starting the car is easy. You insert the key into the ignition, wait a few seconds for the fuel pump to prime the system and then turn the key further to start the car. The car starts easily, even from cold, and fairly quickly settles into a smooth idle. We patiently allow the car a little bit of time to warm up before we put it in first gear and gently drove it out of our showroom. To get the most out of the Turbo Esprit you need to drive it gently the first few kilometres until all the fluids have reached the correct operating temperature. From that moment on there is only one word to describe driving this car . . . FUN!!

The car drives superbly and it handles like it’s on rails. The engine feels strong and revs freely. The turbo smoothly builds up boost and helps the car accelerating quickly. There is hardly any turbo lag. With a quoted top speed of 240km/h and 0-100km/h time of 5.6 seconds, the Lotus Turbo Esprit HCI will easily keep up with its German and Italian counter parts. The gear charges are smooth both up and down the box. The steering is precise and the brakes pull the car up easily and in a straight line when needed.

The Turbo Esprit HCI was the last of the Giugiaro designed Esprits and only very few were delivered in right hand drive. As noted previously, we understand that there were only 11 cars delivered new to Australia, which may well be the total of all right hand drive cars built.,

Accompanying the car is an original tool kit, jack, spare wheel, wind deflector and owner’s handbook in its original leather pouch.

Oldtimer Australia is very familiar with this car, having tried to acquire it back in May 2019. We missed out then, but good things come to those who wait and are now genuinely excited to offer it for sale.

As a result, we are offering a unique opportunity to own one of the 11 Australian delivered, factory right hand drive Lotus Turbo Esprit HCI’s.

Highlights:

• Australian delivered, factory right hand example.
• Low mileage, unmolested and beautifully preserved.
• Fabulous colour scheme.
• Ready to use and enjoy.