One to Buy: Barn Find 23,000 mile Altair Green 1982 Lotus Esprit S3
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Among the great automotive styling triumphs from the second half of the 20th century was Giorgetto Giugiaro’s reworking of the Lotus Esprit in its transition to third generation trim.
The founder of Ital Design, Giugiaro somehow improved the Esprit’s appearance while simultaneously integrating the new generation of impact-absorbing bumpers that practically every other designer struggled with.
The face-lifted Esprits were offered in two states of tune: forced induction (Type 82 Esprit Turbo) and normally aspirated (Type 85 Esprit S3). In addition to its spicier engine, the Esprit Turbo came with custom front and rear spoilers and deep side skirts. Both versions though were among the best looking cars of their era.
If the driving characteristics and additional running expense of an old school turbo is not your thing, the ‘atmo’ engine from the S3 provides plenty of gusto thanks to 160bhp and just 1120kg to lug around.
On November 14th, one of the most interesting S3s we’ve seen in a long while will be going under the hammer during Iconic Auctioneers’ NEC Classic Motor Show sale in Birmingham.
Believed to be one of only four S3s originally finished in Altair Green (three in 1981 and then this car in 1982), chassis SCC085912CHD11333 was further optioned with a stunning Avocado Green leather and fabric interior. Following completion, the car was allocated to Lotus Board Member, Mr T. Entright.
According to Iconic Auctioneers: “We are informed that this example was laid up in the early 1990s and dry stored ever since, still wearing its period tyres. Acquired in 2013 by the current owner, an avid Esprit enthusiast - this car being his sixth - the plan was to return this car to its former glory. Accompanied by its spare wheel, jack and tool kit as well as the handbook, older receipts and the original service book stamped up to the point the car was last used. Displaying just 23,048 miles, this is an interesting opportunity to acquire a barn find Esprit.”
