VIN: the For Your Eyes Only Lotus Esprit Turbo Essex Commemorative chassis 10858
History of chassis 10858
In 1980, the Essex Overseas Petroleum Company became title sponsor of the Lotus F1 team.
As part of the deal, the brand new Esprit Turbo was initially launched exclusively in Essex Commemorative trim.
These ultra high specification cars came with full leather upholstery, Sundym glass, a state-of-the-art Panasonic roof-mounted stereo, air-conditioning and three-piece Compomotive wheels. Only one colour scheme was available: the Essex corporate livery of Monaco blue with chrome and red graphics over a scarlet interior.
Chassis 10858 was the first Esprit Turbo prototype and also a press car. Registered NCL 458V, it featured in the original Esprit Turbo brochure and, in February 1980, was present at a lavish Albert Hall launch party hosted by enigmatic Essex boss, David Thieme.
Later in 1980, chassis 10858 was one of two Esprit Turbos loaned to United Artists for the James Bond film, For Your Eyes Only. The other (chassis 10930, registered OPW 654W) was a nearly new press demonstrator painted white with a tobacco interior.
Ahead of filming, 10858 was repainted white and reupholstered with tobacco leather so the two cars matched.
10858 and 10930 were then taken to Corfu for filming along with a rolling bodyshell which was blown up as part of the storyline. 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 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.
In 1983, chassis 10858 (now back on its original registration of NCL 458V) made a cameo appearance in the low budget British gangster movie, GBH.
In later years, 10858 was re-registered 459 JTA.
Notable History
SCCFC20A8AMD10858
Esprit Turbo prototype / press car #1
Monaco Blue with Essex graphics / scarlet interior
Registered NCL 458V
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 with fake UK licence plate OPW 654W
Repainted Copper Fire Metallic
Taken to Cortina for filming with fake UK licence plate OPW 678W
Used for promotional work
Loaned to the IR Productions for the gangster film GBH
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Lotus - https://www.lotuscars.com
