Very strange, Pre production Esprit Turbo prototype

[Tocus]

this is a strange car,

its reg. in 1981, it must be a develomend car from lotus, as i read the ad.

but it has a 907 or 912 engine inside, (i think its a S2.2) and build over to turbo,

it has the rare compomotive, and the bumper from a essex, (without letters) and so on,

 

what do you guys think?

 

ad says:

 

" Hi I am excited to bring you the opportunity to buy a rare factory prototype Esprit, the car is called a Type 79B on the vin plate. This car is very special, it was originally owned by Lotus Cars of Norwich, and was sent by them to Italy to the designer factory and was used as the prototype for the styling of the Lotus Esprit Turbo and HVAC Testing. The car was the development car from 1978-1983. The car has many prototype Lotus parts on it and is a very interesting car to own for any Esprit enthusiast. The car reads 13,087 miles on the clock and has been dry stored for its entire life so very little corrosion. The car has not run for many years but I can’t see why it wouldn’t run with a new timing belt fitted, some new petrol and the exhaust putting back on. In its original Monaco white the car benefits from factory AC, Galvanised chassis, single support louver panel, rear bumper pre Lotus letters, 4 stud compromotive wheels, ,prototype engine parts, LHD , still the original how to run it in stickers and dewaxing instructions still on the windscreen. The Interior panels have had their covering removed so will need recovering. This is a time capsule car and is complete with matching numbers confirmed by Lotus.
I am selling the car due to lack of space. "

[Barrykearley]

Hasn’t this car been on here before ?? Sure this was an eBay parts car a while ago

[LOTUSMAN33]

Didn't Matt Watts buy that one? Looks better now cleaned with its other wheel fitted.

Dave  

[TAR]

I think there is a mention of it in a thread on here where @Matt-watts states that it is a prototype car.

It's got an S2 type VIN number.

 

[cbclotus]

Hi Guys ...Reminds me of the White ....think it was white s2 that was a proto type shown in some esprit books with speedline wheels .Mike

 

[Matt-watts]

Yes the one in the Book was type 79A this is Type 79B both development cars.

Its my car and I have run out of space but cant make my mind up whether to keep it or sell it. I think its a great thing for me to own but I need more room !

Its has many features that are unique.

[cbclotus]

Hi Matt .As you said very rare car .Great looking garage .Stange uk plate but left hand drive .Nice car to own .And in good hands with your skills ....Mike

[mad_wolf]

I like to remember my car: Early Turbo Esprit S2 fuel Injection and Convertible

 

It is also a 907 2.2 Motor with Turbo and Injection and definitive from the same time range  and it is a prototype.

It has also already a galvanised chassis, 4 Sub wheels and inside it looks the same (still a shame).

But this car is still not accepted by Lotus

 

So prototype owners: we should exchange more Information.

 

 

[G_Reaper]

Hi Wolfgang

I dont think your car was a Lotus Cars created prototype that's why they don't recognise it. Many of the engine modifications on your car simply do not follow the engineering thinking of Lotus Cars at the time.  It might have been a prototype for the St Tropez conversions that had nothing to do with Lotus Cars themselves but were a company who bought the standard cars and converted them or perhaps another specialist coach builders conversion. It would be interesting to find out.

Cheers Michael