81 Essex for sale in US!

[Martin]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-Trucks___082910BHH10337_W0QQitemZ330240276087QQddn ZCarsQ20Q26Q20TrucksQQddiZ2282QQcmdZViewItem?hash= item330240276087&

http://i1.ebayimg.com/02/i/000/f4/00/c821_12.JPG

#37 is up for sale. I think I really would trade my SE for that car in a heartbeat, only that car is probably worth a bit more. :crying:

[GregWO]

OMG!!! serious drool factor :mf_dribble::mf_dribble:

What is the value of an Essex in the US? $85k? What does an Essex go for in UK?

[eurosport]

Neat car, but I doubt the general value of an Essex is that much greater than the non-Essex as, although a Lotus enthusiast is able to appreciate the significance of the car, the market for paying a premium on a turbo G-car is probably pretty small. If this car makes it to $20k, I'll be surprised, and it probably has an "immortal glassy-eyed" reserve.:001_unsure:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1981-Lotus-Essex-Esprit_W0QQitemZ380021454522QQihZ025QQcategoryZ431 14QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
This is a no-bid classified with asking price around $30k, and it's been known to be for sale for a while.

Not sure if I believe the first car cost $65k in '81 even with grey market federalization. That's about $150k in '08 dollars, although that may be the range of the new Esprit :crying:

Eric

[Martin]

Well certainly it will command a premium since it is here stateside and there are only 3 known to be in the US. But as always, it's worth what someone is willing to pay.

[GregWO]

In 1988 my Esprit was purchased for $66K (obviously not by me). I believe $65K in 1981 for a special import Essex would be about right.

[Martin]

I honestly think it would go for about 30K....

[WayneB]

A unique and special car, I hope someone deserving ends up with it.

I looked everywhere's for one in North America before buying my '83, and would have bought this one like a shot!:)

[RoadDad]

That's a pretty good looking car, except for the paint.

I think I'm going to bid on it and if I win I'll just have it resprayed. Maybe yellow.




















Did you get mad at me for a second? or was it longer? :D

[Martin]

That's a pretty good looking car, except for the paint.

I think I'm going to bid on it and if I win I'll just have it resprayed. Maybe yellow.



Did you get mad at me for a second? or was it longer? :D

Yeah, it was around 2 seconds! :ohmy: But I literally thought I was misreading your post at first. I wonder if there are any Essex Esprits that have been mucked with, it wouldn't surprise me if at least one of them out there is now red or yellow.

[lotus4s]

You guys are aware that this is not an actual "Essex" in the pure sense right?

It left the factory as Monaco White and was converted to the Essex livery by Loose Imports in California before being sold to the first owner. It has all the correct parts but is not recognized by the factory as an "Essex" car....FWIW

[RoadDad]

Then I will change my color choice from yellow to Monaco White :D.

[Martin]

That actually changes everything. If it is not a real Essex then what is it doing with the #37 on it?:mad:

[WayneB]

Great news, I can paint mine Essex Blue and call it one too:thumbup:

(Mine will be #27 BTW)

[Martin]

No Sh!t. Thats what pisses me off. It really seems like they are triying to pass it off as the real thing, and that's just wrong!

[RoadDad]

Maybe that's why it has stagnated at $12K.

[lotus4s]

LOL, you guys are funny! :thumbup:

There's an Essex thread somewhere on LEF with more info on this car....

To be fair, the seller doesn't actually claim it's a limited edition Essex only Essex colors so I guess "caveat emptor" applies. It's still a great car though.

Someone should ask him if it's a genuine "Essex" and see what he says.

[Martin]

Someone should ask him if it's a genuine "Essex" and see what he says.

I'm on it!

[eurosport]

I don't know what anyone else has found, but a scan of the archive of 9/07 Hemmings Sports and Exotic Car didn't show any references to a Lotus Esprit, nor in the entire HSEC index....:001_unsure:

[Martin]

Interesting. Well so far this was my response from asking the seller if it was original.

"Martin: Best answer I can give is to quote the factory but the answer from them exceeds the limitations of ebay. Ask question to my email and I will reply. Bill "

So the plot thickens :roadblock:
I sent him my email, so we will see what happens. There is only about 4.5 hours left in the auction and I think it's barely cleared 13K.

[WayneB]

I got a lenthy reply from the fellow yesterday, kinda outlining factory "help" in getting the car to be sold in the USA.

To cut it short the car was supplied as a white Turbo Esprit to a Swiss Lotus distributor, shipped to the USA then painted and decalled and Essex rocker covered.

Therefore it is not a production Essex, but a replica or tribute car that was done when it was new, with an interesting story to as how it came to be!

That doesn't make the car worthless however, and as a nice example of a Turbo Esprit it should be worth at least $20-25k IMO:)

[Autocross7]

I supposed it will piss some folks off, but given the Essex that recently caught fire in jolly England and was B classed for no real reason... a little number swapping and this could be a "real" essex! hahaha....:ohmy::ohmy:

(not that I would do it)

Cameron

[Martin]

Well, it is a darn good replica too, given that they even put in the fancy roof radio!

But I still think it's wrong that they do not mention it somewhere in the posting!

[Martin]

Reserve was not met at $15,600.

I wonder if everyone knows the story but the seller?