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1988 Lotus Turbo Esprit White Tan 52824 Original Project Car Pretty Woman

  • Condition: Used
  • Make: Lotus
  • Model: Esprit
  • Type: Coupe
  • Trim: Leather
  • Year: 1988
  • Mileage: 52824
  • VIN: SCCFC20A3JHF62291
  • Color: White
  • Engine size: 2.2L Turbo
  • Number of cylinders: 4
  • Fuel: Gasoline
  • Transmission: Manual
  • Drive type: RWD
  • Interior color: Tan
  • Options: Leather Seats, Sunroof
  • Vehicle Title: Clear
  • Location: Scottsdale, Arizona, United States

Description

1988 Lotus Turbo Esprit.
It is a project car. I purchased it as such about 2 years ago, and just got a new job. The sad realization that I am not going to get to this (or many other projects) has become a reality. Hopefully, someone can see the potential and restore or restomod the car.
A number of years ago, the dreaded turbo overheating failure happened, which ruined 1 cylinder sleeve. The engine was removed, a lot of machine work was done including resurfacing and machining the cylinder heads, installing a new cylinder liner (they are removable, just like a lot of British Cars), and a new piston was put on the connecting rod.
And that's when it goes dark. From what I can piece together in the car's history, is that it happened several (a decade or so) years ago. The car was sold to a gentleman here in AZ, probably like me, with good intentions of restoring it.
The good: 1) it is mostly complete from what I can tell. Never restored one, so have no way of telling for sure. I do know it is missing some pieces, and when you get into it, you will be able to tell.2) The chassis is rust free. 3) The body is in good condition. 4) The glass is all there and again, from what I can tell, not damaged (I am sure there are some pits in the windshield - but no stones or breaks). 5) The engine and trans are there. 6) The interior is untouched
In this condition, you have a license to do whatever you want with it. LS3 engine and Porsche Transaxle like from Renegadehybrids.comhttps://www.rcnmag.com/d-i-y/bowtie-brigadeis a link to the 1980's Lotus Esprit. Or: LS3 with a Subaru Transaxle (less expensive option) or Ford 2.2L EcoBoost Turbo engine with Subaru Transaxle. Or: as the Europeans do them... the Audi 4.2L V8 and Audi/Lamborghini 6 speed manual transaxle. Lots of choices.
I was thinking of buying a wrecked Lotus V8 and 'FRANKENSTEINING' the 2 together for 1 awesome car!
Doing a full restoration on this car should cost a lot less than a 'kit car' and then you have a LOTUS at the end... not a 'kit car'.

The bad: 1) It needs a full restoration. 2) Parts are missing. 3) The Dreaded Renault Transaxle. 4) It needs a full restoration (repeating myself).
Parts are readily available.