One to Buy: 102,000km from new 1994 Lotus Esprit Sport 300
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Of all the Esprits built between 1976 and 2004, the Sport 300 ranks as arguably the most highly regarded.
Conceived as a road-going derivative of the 1992 IMSA Supercar Championship-winning X180R, the Sport 300 also served as a homologation special for a GT class racing Esprit that would debut at the 1993 Le Mans 24 Hours.
Unveiled at the Birmingham Motor Show in October 1992, the Sport 300 was equipped with an array of enhanced equipment to maximise its on-track performance.
In addition to the most powerful turbocharged engine ever fitted to an Esprit, the Sport 300 featured uprated suspension and brakes, a custom aero kit, brawny wheelarch extensions and massive three-piece OZ Racing wheels. The interior was pared down and bucket seats installed.
As a result of its simplified interior plus a lighter, stiffer bodyshell (a result of extensive use of composite materials), 80kg was shaved from the kerb weight of a standard Turbo SE.
Although originally outlawed from sale in the USA, thanks to the 25-Year Import Rule that exempts vehicles that did not meet Federal regulations, at least one of the 64 Sport 300s built has made it across the Atlantic and is now offered for sale with Autosport Designs in Huntington Station, New York.
Configured in the trademark Sport 300 colour of Camel Yellow, this particular example has covered 102,000km from new and comes with a fully documented service history.
