VIN: the For Your Eyes Only Lotus Esprit Turbo chassis 10930
History of chassis 10930
When Lotus launched the Esprit Turbo, it was initially only available in Essex Commemorative trim.
The Essex Overseas Petroleum Company, run by David Thieme, had become title sponsor of the Lotus F1 team for 1980 and 1981. As part of the $8m deal, the first 100 Esprit Turbos were to receive an ultra high end ‘Essex’ specification with full leather, air-conditioning, Sundym glass and a state-of-the-art roof-mounted Panasonic stereo.
All 100 were to come in the Essex corporate colours of Monaco blue with chrome and red graphics and a scarlet interior.
However, when Thieme was accused of a $7.6m fraud and arrested in early 1981, the Essex livery was dropped altogether.
As the brash colour scheme was not to everyone’s taste, small numbers of Esprit Turbos in other colours had quietly started to trickle out of the factory even before Thieme’s legal problems.
One such car was chassis 10930. Painted white with red graphics and a tobacco interior, 10930 was registered OPW 654W and briefly served as a press demonstrator.
It was then loaned to United Artists for the James Bond film For Your Eyes Only along with the first Esprit Turbo prototype (chassis 10858) which was changed from its original Essex livery to match that of 10930.
10858 and 10930 were taken to Corfu for filming along with a rolling bodyshell which was to be blown up. All three vehicles appeared on the UK licence plate OPW 654W.
Afterwards, 10858 and 10930 temporarily returned to the Lotus factory.
Subsequent For Your Eyes Only scenes were to be shot in the Dolomite mountains and the producers needed a colour that would show up well against the snowy backdrop. 10858 and 10930 were switched to a brand new shade of bronze called Copper Fire Metallic.
The newly liveried cars were taken to Italy for filming where they appeared on the UK licence plate OPW 678W.
After filming was complete, both vehicles were used for promotional work.
10930 appeared at the Leicester Square premiere of For Your Eyes Only after which it was retained by Lotus until 1998.
Notable History
SCCFC20A1AHD10930
White with red graphics / tobacco interior
Registered OPW 654W
Loaned to United Artists for the James Bond film For Your Eyes Only
Repainted White with red graphics / tobacco interior
Taken to Corfu for filming
Repainted Copper Fire Metallic
Taken to Cortina for filming with fake UK licence plate OPW 678W
Used for promotional work
Retained by Lotus until 1998
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Lotus - https://www.lotuscars.com
