Celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Lotus brand and marking the inaugural year of the new X180 generation, the 1988 Lotus Turbo Esprit Commemorative Edition was offered as a limited production model with only 88 examples built in total. This Turbo Esprit is designated as #32 in the series and was sold new in Texas before spending time in Kansas and Quebec. It was acquired by the current owner in 2017 and has since been serviced with new AVO adjustable shocks, springs, ball joints, a timing belt, and a turbo air inlet. This rare Esprit Turbo is now being offered for auction out of Indiana while showing approximately 63k miles on the car's 5-digit odometer odometer.
The X180 generation Lotus Esprit was launched for the 1988 model year featuring revised styling by Peter Stevens who would later go on to design the McLaren F1 supercar. This Turbo Esprit comes finished in Pearlescent White as specified for all Commemorative Edition cars. Features include pop-up headlamps, a front valence with integrated fog lamps, side skirts with integrated air intakes, a body-colored rear diffuser, power-adjustable mirrors, a fender-mounted antenna, and a body-colored rear wing. The car rides on a set of black-painted 17” wheels with Lotus-branded center caps and Falken Azenis RT615K tires. The original body-colored Ruote O.Z. wheels are said to accompany the sale as well. The seller notes the rear Lotus badge has been removed and some imperfections are present on the bumpers. Detailed images are provided in the gallery along with a clean CARFAX report.
The cabin features grey and tan leather upholstery contrasted with black carpeting and brushed metal trim. A leather-wrapped three-spoke MOMO Competition steering wheel was installed in 2022, and an aftermarket shift knob and carbon pattern boot have been fitted along with a Kenwood stereo. Other accessories include Lotus-branded carpet floor mats, power windows, analog VDO gauges, and a commemorative plaque mounted to the right of the glovebox designating the car #32/88 limited edition models produced in celebration of Lotus’s 40th anniversary. The seller indicates the air-conditioning and heating system is inoperable and signs of wear are present on the driver’s seat and handbrake boot. The original steering wheel is also said to accompany the sale.
A mid-mounted turbocharged 2.2-liter Type 910 inline-four engine delivers up to 215 HP and 192 lb.-ft of torque to the rear wheels through a 5-speed manual transaxle. Performance features include four-wheel disc brakes, independent suspension, and rack & pinion steering. The seller indicates AVO adjustable shocks were installed in 2019 along with new springs, ball joints, a new thermostat, and a new distributor cap & rotor. The gearbox fluid was reportedly flushed in 2020 and the timing belt and turbo air inlet are said to have been replaced in October 2022.
This sale will include the original body-colored wheels, the original steering wheel, the owner’s manual, some service records, and a clean title.
Comments (3)
Bid in the amount of $20,500
Good morning and welcome to the final day of the Lotus auction! Let us know if you have any questions about the car. Here is the recently recorded service history on the Lotus:
10/27/2017 - Gator Motorsports - 61,813 miles
- Inspection
07/23/2019
- Front shocks & springs
- Rear shocks & springs
- Ball joints
- Thermostat
- Distributor
- Front and rear brakes and pads
- Air filter
- Fuel Filter
- Rear poly bushing and links
04/07/2020
- Timing belt
- Tensioner bearing
05/15/2020
- Brake Fluid Flush
- Coolant Flush
- Transmission fluid flush
- Oil & Filter Change
10/17/2022 - GRP - $5,104.25
- Inspection & diagnose no start
- Engine maintenance
- Timing Belt
- Install steering wheel & hub
Best of luck bidders!
Bid in the amount of $20,000