Closing out on its last day at a resounding $39,007 plus fees (a record-setting sum) our nearly pristine example of an Esprit S1 found a new home this week. In 1977, there were merely 544 Esprit imported to the United States shores. Furthermore, during that year a selection of just ninety-two units was chosen to receive the Carnival Red paint finish. So to say that this little Lotus is rare may be a considerable evaluation error. The functional odometer reads a bit more than 18,000-miles after being stored in a garage for several years by the previous owner. The other upside of the long-term storage is that the motor (a 2.0-liter inline-four), suspension, and brakes are still in superb order. Also in near-immaculate condition is the interior. Two bucket seats are finished in fine green cloth that contrasts nicely with the fire-orange carpeting. Pulling both of the colors together are tartan seat inserts that exude a sheik seventies style. Although initial reviews lamented the lack of power, the lightweight (around 2,000 pounds) S1 was extolled for its unbelievably poised handling capability. As if all of that were not enough, this same year James Bond drove one in the feature film, The Spy Who Loved Me! No doubt that the new owner is looking forward to testing the limits out on the nearest winding road with maybe a bit of pretending to be 007.
