VIN: Lotus Esprit Turbo Essex Commemorative chassis 10860
History of chassis 10860
Colin Chapman’s F1 sponsorship agreement with David Thieme’s Essex Overseas Petroleum Corporation also extended to a road car collaboration.
The enigmatic Thieme’s largesse resulted in the Esprit Turbo initially being launched as the ‘Essex Commemorative Lotus Esprit Turbo’.
It had an ultra high standard specification with full ruched leather upholstery, a state-of-the-art Panasonic roof-mounted stereo, Sundym glass and air-conditioning.
At the time of the original announcement in February 1980, only the Essex corporate colour scheme was available: Monaco blue with a chrome and red stripe kit and scarlet interior.
Extremely expensive, only 45 Essex Turbo Esprits were built, a figure that included several pre-production units. Customer cars totalled around 35 examples while a similar number of additional Turbo Esprits were built to full Essex specification but with a conventional paint finish.
The third press car, chassis 10860 may have been present at the lavish Albert Hall launch party in February 1980. The event was hosted by Thieme who had become title sponsor of the Lotus F1 team for 1980.
First registered MPW 71V in May 1980 (several weeks before the first customer deliveries began), 10860 was then driven down to the Le Mans 24 Hours for promotional duty (June 14th and 15th).
Once its development and promotional role had concluded, the car sat unused for a brief period.
However, when the producers of For Your Eyes Only informed Lotus they needed an Esprit Turbo painted a colour that would show up well against the snowy backdrop of the Dolomite mountains (where many of the Esprit’s scenes were to be filmed), Lotus took 10860 and used it to find a suitable livery.
The car was painted a brand new shade of bronze known as Copper Fire Metallic. At the same time, it was reupholstered with a special dark tan leather supplied by Connolly.
When the film makers approved the colour scheme, the proper Bond cars were refinished to match.
With the last of its press duties carried out, 10860 was used by Lotus to test their secret Type 909 four-litre V8 engine (along with two more cars registered MPW 79V and MPW 80V).
The V8 installation required several chassis modifications to include new engine mounts, additional bracing and a raised engine cover. The rear brakes were switched to an outboard configuration that allowed extra space for the new four-outlet exhaust system. Ventilated front brake discs were also fitted along with new front hubs. BBS wheels replaced the original three-piece Compomotive rims.
After the V8 project was cancelled, chassis 10860 remained at the factory until the early 1990s.
Lotus eventually sold the car, minus engine and gearbox, to one of their employees; at this point it had around 11,000 miles on the odometer.
The Lotus employee immediately sold 10860 to Lotus enthusiast, Mike Younger, who had a brand new Turbo HC engine and gearbox installed.
Notable History
Esprit Turbo Essex Commemorative press car
02/1980 launch car, Albert Hall, London
05/1980 road registered MPW 71V
06/1980 attendance at Le Mans 24 Hours
Repainted Copper Fire Metallic and re-upholstered in dark tan as test colours for the 1981 James Bond movie ‘For Your Eyes Only’
Modified as development car for the Type 909 four-litre V8 engine
Early 1990s sold to a Lotus employee without engine or gearbox
Immediately sold to Mike Younger
Fitted with brand new Turbo HC engine and gearbox
Text copyright: Supercar Nostalgia
Photo copyright: Supercar Nostalgia & Lotus - https://www.lotuscars.com
