top of page
Page Contents
Image Placeholders2_edited.jpg

£32,696

1977 Lotus Esprit S1 - Ex Colin Chapman

United Kingdom • 14 Aug 2025

Auction House Logos6.png

Vehicle Details

AI Listing Summary

This 1977 Lotus Esprit S1, believed to be the first silver production model and with a Colin Chapman connection, underwent an extensive restoration in 2015. While it has some cosmetic imperfections and minor mechanical issues, it comes with a substantial history file and is a notable example of a classic British sports car.

ai-technology.png
ai-technology_edited_edited_edited.png

Condition 

6

The car is described as having imperfections on the lower half of the passenger door and the panel behind, damage between the bonnet and right-hand wing, and a scratch on the left-hand rear wing. Some chrome trim in the cockpit shows age-related wear. The heated rear window is inoperative and the cabin heater produces very limited warmth. While it has had an extensive restoration, these issues indicate moderate wear and the need for some reconditioning.

/ 10

Manual

Transmission:

[Chassis No]

Chassis No:

Odometer:

69,291 miles

VEX 299S

Reg Number:

RHD/LHD:

RHD

KEY FACTS This Lotus Esprit S1 is an iconic Giugiaro-designed classic British sports car, believed to be the first silver production S1 and with a documented connection to Colin Chapman, having been used by the Lotus factory to test early S2 developments.

It is powered by a naturally aspirated 2.0-litre ‘Type 907’ inline-four, producing around 160hp, driving the rear wheels through a five-speed manual transmission.

The car benefits from an extensive ‘body-off’ ‘nut-and-bolt’ restoration in 2015, carried out to a high standard, with mechanical, cosmetic, and structural refurbishment.

First registered in August 1977, this example has been with the seller for over 20 years.

The odometer indicates 69,291 miles, which the seller believes to be accurate, though this is not warranted.

EQUIPMENT AND FEATURES This Esprit S1 is finished in a timeless shade of silver, over a black leather and synthetic suede-trimmed interior, featuring green Veglia gauges.

It rides on a set of 14-inch Wolfr...

Points of note

£7,984

Lowest Price (Since 2020)

£28,528

Median Price (Since 2020)

£124,292

Highest Price (Since 2020)

one.png

World Record

If this vehicle sells at the mid-point of its estimate it will set a new world record for the [enter model]

percentage-graph.png

Top 40%

The sale price places it in the top 40% of sold prices we've ever seen for the Lotus Esprit S1

low-price.png

Lowest Price

If this vehicle sells at the mid-point of its estimate it will be the lowest price we've seen for the [enter model]

checkmark.png

Average Price

The mid-point of the vehicle's estimate places it near the average price we see for the [enter model]

diamond-icon.png

Rare Sale

This vehicle comes to market rarely. In auction records we've only seen [enter number] sold before

must-have.png

Icon

This vehicle comes is an icon of the game. Any collection would benefit from having one

Previous Sales

Gallery

MOT Information

Expired

Expired on May 04 2019

Latest MOT Mileage

68,932 miles

Registration Date

1977-08-01

MOT History

Passed

On Apr 17 2018 with 68,932 miles


Passed

On May 05 2017 with 68,642 miles


Passed

On Apr 13 2016 with 68,358 miles


Failed

On Apr 04 2016 with 68,356 miles

There was 1 defect noted.

Fail:
- Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Failed

On Mar 14 2016 with 68,348 miles

There were 2 defects noted.

Fail:
- Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)
- Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)

Passed

On Mar 16 2015 with 67,444 miles


Failed

On Feb 20 2015 with 67,444 miles

There were 8 defects noted.

Fail:
- Nearside Rear Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)
- Offside Rear Registration plate lamp not working (1.1.C.1d)
- Nearside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)
- Offside Front Headlamp aim beam image obviously incorrect (1.8.A.1b)
- Nearside Front Front passenger door cannot be opened from outside the vehicle (6.2.B.1b)
- Nearside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)
- Offside Rear Rear wheel bearing has excessive play (2.6.2)
- Fuel pipe union leaking (7.2.3)

MOT Mileage Trend

App Launch Header - Website Main.jpg
App Launch Header - Vertical.jpg
bottom of page