Lotus Esprit

The Lotus Esprit's incredible 28-year production run began in 1976 with a sharp, wedge-shaped body designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro. It gained international fame as a submarine car in the 1977 James Bond film 'The Spy Who Loved Me'. Early cars used a 2.0L 4-cylinder, but the model evolved significantly with the addition of a turbocharger in 1980 and a major redesign by Peter Stevens in 1987.

Collectors are drawn to the Esprit for its pure, analog driving experience and exotic looks at a relatively accessible price point. The mid-engine layout and Lotus's expertise in chassis tuning deliver exceptional handling. The lineup offers distinct choices, from the original Giugiaro 'folded paper' cars to the more powerful Stevens and later Thomson redesigns. The 1996 introduction of Lotus's own 3.5L twin-turbo V8 finally gave the car the supercar-level power its chassis always deserved.

The Esprit market is wide, reflecting the car's long history and many variations. Entry-level 4-cylinder cars and projects can still be found for under $30,000. Well-sorted Turbo models from the 1980s and 1990s occupy the middle of the market, typically trading from $40,000 to $70,000. At the top, pristine, low-mileage V8 models, especially final-year cars and special editions like the Sport 350, can easily exceed $100,000.

Prices range from $9,000 for project cars to $220,000 for exceptional, late-model examples.