Lotus Esprit Series 1
The Esprit S1 is the original 'folded paper' wedge designed by Giugiaro and made famous by James Bond. As the first and purest of the Esprit line, it offers a raw driving experience and has a market ranging from accessible projects to six-figure collector pieces.
Find one with Spotter →Typical sold price of a Lotus Esprit Series 1 ranges from $6,677 to $110,839, based on 61 sales tracked on Hypercars. 9 currently for sale.
Lotus Esprit Series 1 Specs
- Engine
- 2.0L Inline-4
- Horsepower
- 160 hp
- Torque
- 140 lb-ft
- 0-60 mph
- 6.8s
- Top Speed
- 138 mph
- Curb Weight
- 2,200 lbs
The Lotus Esprit S1 shocked the world at its 1975 debut. Penned by Giorgetto Giugiaro, its 'folded paper' wedge design was radical and defined supercar styling for the next decade. Its starring role as a submarine car in the 1977 James Bond film 'The Spy Who Loved Me' cemented its place as a pop culture icon.
Collectors seek out the S1 because it's the original, purest expression of Giugiaro's vision. With its lightweight fiberglass body, steel backbone chassis, and mid-mounted 2.0L 907 engine, it offers a famously direct and unfiltered driving experience. It's a rare car, with just 718 S1s built between 1976 and 1978, making it significantly scarcer than later iterations.
The market for the S1 is broad. While the average sale price sits around $37,000, condition and provenance create a huge spread. Project cars can be found for under $10,000, while concours-quality or celebrity-owned examples have sold for over $150,000. It remains one of the more accessible ways into 1970s Italian-designed, British-built exotica.
Buying Tips
- Inspect the fiberglass body carefully for stress cracks, especially around the doors, A-pillars, and front spoiler.
- The steel backbone chassis is susceptible to rust. Check the outriggers, suspension mounting points, and engine cradle.
- Verify the service history for the 2.0L 907 engine, paying close attention to timing belt and head gasket replacements.
- Test all electrical components, as Lucas electrics are notoriously finicky. Pay special attention to the pop-up headlights.
- Original interior parts, like the tartan seat fabric and dashboard plastics, are very hard to source, so factor replacement costs into your budget.
Prices for the Esprit S1 range from around $9,000 for projects to over $150,000 for the very best examples.
61 Lotus Esprit Series 1 vehicles have been tracked across auctions and listings on Hypercars, with 9 currently live. Sold prices range from $1,440 to $834,800.
Data sourced from Bring a Trailer, Cars & Bids, eBay Motors, PCarMarket, and Collecting Cars. Updated daily.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Lotus Esprit Series 1 cost?
Based on 61 sales tracked on Hypercars, Lotus Esprit Series 1 prices typically range from $6,677 to $110,839. There are 9 currently for sale.
How many Lotus Esprit Series 1 listings are for sale right now?
There are 9 Lotus Esprit Series 1 listings currently live across auctions, dealers, and marketplaces tracked by Hypercars.