Registration - F359 BNG Chassis No. - SCC085912KHD13414 M.O.T. - August 2022 Odometer - 41,701 ‘F359 BNG’ is a fine-looking example of the much-vaunted Peter Stevens-penned Esprit. Its resplendent red bodywork is teamed with a sumptuous cream leather interior. The vendor currently grades the four-cylinder DOHC engine, five-speed manual transmission, fibreglass bodywork, and paintwork as ‘excellent’ and the upholstery as ‘good’. He informs us that the Lotus starts and drives fine and everything works as it should. The odometer currently registers a modest 41,701 miles and the car is now being sold complete with a glass sunroof, Pioneer sound system, comprehensive history file, original build sheet, past MOT certificates and to sets of keys. If you’re in the hunt for an X180 then you need look no longer. For the revamped Esprit of 1987, Lotus looked not to Giugiaro but British-born Peter Stevens of McLaren F1 fame, who gave the model a more rounded, softer look, coincident with which Lotus introduced a new, more automated body manufacture process called VARI (Vacuum Assisted Resin Injection). Underneath little had changed, the newcomer being based on a galvanised steel backbone chassis powered by the company’s four cylinder 2,174cc engine that offered 172bhp in normally aspirated form. The unit was mated to a five-speed manual gearbox. Suspension was independent all round by wishbones and coil springs at the front and unequal length transverse links, radius arms and coil springs at the rear. Braking was by discs front and back, and steering by rack and pinion. The normally aspirated cars could be readily distinguished from the turbo examples by the lack of a glass shield between the flying buttresses. The performance was in line with expectations, with 60mph coming up in 6.5 seconds and a top speed of 138mph. In summary: • A very eye-catching example in red with cream leather interior • Comes complete with lots of history • Indicated mileage stands at an unwarranted but credible 41,701
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