1979 Lotus Esprit S2 Coupe

Lotus built 1,061 examples of the Esprit S2 from 1978 through 1981. The Esprit had been unveiled in near-production form during 1974 with first deliveries made in 1976. It was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro and his ItalDesign firm as a styling exercise first displayed at Turin in 1972. Its design was both stunning and exotic; its mechanical components were a technological masterpiece. It had a steel backbone chassis, four-wheel disc brakes, and a rack-and-pinion steering setup. Power was initially sourced from the Lotus-designed Type 907 16-valve, DOHC four-cylinder engine. During its production lifespan, the Esprit was relentlessly developed and improved along several distinct series. 10,675 examples were built in total by the production came to a close on February 20th of 2004.

This particular example is a 1979 Lotus Esprit S2. It was sold new to Elaine Divak on May 22, 1981 through La Montesa Motors of Mahwah, New Jersey, later making its way to Texas and Los Angeles. Power is from the mid-mounted, all-alloy 2.0-liter, Lotus twin-cam, four-cylinder engine offering 160 horsepower. It is finished in white livery and retains the original upholstery. It also has the original spare wheel and tire and correct 7- and 7.5x14-inch Speedline wheels, plus a matching additional Speedline wheel included with the car. Original trim items, original Triplex glass, and a A period 'Supremo' steering wheel is presently fitted.

By Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2018