rather an interesting esprit on uk ebay

[simonb]

roof stereo

Dry sump

BBS alloys

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1982-LOTUS-ESPRIT-TURBO-RED-/110532388351?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item19bc3e65ff

Would need a bit of research

[Mark Blanchard]

Could be a nice car. No mention of an MOT in the blurb.

[espriturbo]

I bought it -

[Bibs]

Good man, pics please

[Kimbers]

Yes lets see it!

Wasn't the Essex the only one with a roof stereo?

[Bibs]

No.

Obviously.

Donut!

[Bazza 907]

The Panasonic roof radio was a £1000 option.

Given they made many less than the 100 planned Essex Esprits I guess there would have been plenty left over.

[Kimbers]

I'm sure you'll find bibs that the roof stereo was Standard fitment only on the Essex. So there.....ohhhh new smilie

[richardvg]

the car looks pretty original - well done Gary from Wales

richard

[psteinb]

Kimbers - you are wrong

Bibs - you are right

I own the first white turbo esprit off the assembly line in 1980 and it has some Essex features fitted as standard (at the time) - i.e. roof stereo & AC.

So there.

Regards Paul.

Edited July 9, 2010 by paul steinberg

[psteinb]

gday jack

[Jack Stone]

According to my price list from Apr 1981 the overhead Panasonic wasn't standard fit on the Essex (although presumably everyone opted for it). It was a £600.50 option (inc tax) in lieu of the normal rad/cass which was listed as standard. Interestingly, the non-Essex turbo didn't come with any radio/cassette as standard - various options from a plain vanilla radio (without a cassette!) (£156.98) to the fully blown roof console (£1,029.05).

Edited August 21, 2010 by Jack Stone

[matk]

Hi Jack

Was it your car at the Ace Cafe the other week? If so more pics please!

[Jack Stone]

Hi Mat

Yes, t'was mine. I'll upload some once I've reminded myself how to!

[Loose Cannon]

IIRC from the CAR test of the time the non-Essex turbo was offered in a very basic spec to keep the price headline-grabbingly low and make the £22810 Ferrari 308 look like an overpriced donkey."But unforeseen until the very day of our arrival at Hethel was Lotus's extremely aggressive launch of the 'basic' Turbo Esprit, selling at just £16,928. It comes without air conditioning or a stereo system or hide upholstery or metallic paint, but it is just as fast, nimble and arrestingly styled as the £20,900 original and what is more, it is now joined by an S3 version of the normally-aspirated Esprit, also at an extremely attractive price. 'You've got to have a go, haven't you', is a remark Lotus managing director Mike Kimberley makes often in marketing discussions; it is certainly what his company are engaged in down now..."