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• Honours Colin Chapman’s last car – newly acquired by Lotus
Lotus is launching a new Certificate
of Provenance programme, revealing the first recipient as a stunning and celebrated Turbo Esprit that was the final ‘company car’ of Lotus founder Colin Chapman.
The 1981 model, which was also driven by UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher during a visit to Norfolk, has recently been acquired by Lotus.
Following a sympathetic restoration, it will join the company’s collection.
The new Certificate of Provenance is designed to appeal to owners of
Lotus cars from any era. They could buy one for themselves or receive it
as a gift from friends or family. It is delivered in a distinctive
‘For The Drivers’ Lotus presentation box, which contains:
* The Certificate of Provenance – printed on premium paper, this
provides a summary of the car’s details including the VIN, paint
colour and specification. The certificate also notes the date on which
the car completed its production at the Hethel factory and was passed to
the Lotus sales team.
* The Build Specification Letter – drafted using detailed vehicle
information from the Lotus archive*, this document provides more
in-depth information about the car, including its engine, transmission,
standard features and optional extras.
* A personalised letter to the customer signed by Phil Popham, CEO, Lotus Cars, thanking them for their purchase and updating them on the transformation which is taking place at Lotus.
The three documents are presented in a simple black envelope placed
inside the presentation box. Beneath it is a selection of Lotus
collectables, including an aluminium plaque engraved with the owner’s name and information from the Certificate of Provenance; a leather Lotus keyring; a carbon fibre bookmark featuring the brand’s nine most
significant motorsport laurels; a presentation tin of four badges; and a Lotus ink pen.
The Certificate of Provenance is available worldwide through Lotus
retailers. In the UK it costs £170 + postage. Prices in other markets
may vary.
The 1981 Lotus Turbo Esprit has the UK registration plate UVF 464X and
was first registered to Lotus on 1 August of that year. Its own Lotus
Certificate of Provenance reveals it was allocated to company founder
Colin Chapman for his exclusive use. Following Chapman’s death in
December 1982, it was sold by Lotus in July 1983 and has been in private
hands ever since, covering just 11,000 miles and regularly maintained.
Finished in metallic Silver Diamond paint with ‘Turbo Esprit’
decals, the factory-fitted optional extras include a full red leather
interior, air-conditioning and a Panasonic audio system integrated into the headliner.
However, the specification is completely unique as it has several
features added at the request of Chapman to improve his own driving comfort and enjoyment. These include power steering – it was the first Esprit ever to have this technology – plus modified and lowered suspension, modified brakes and BBS Mahle lattice alloy wheels.
On 5 August 1981, the car was used by Chapman to promote the latest Lotus range to the then UK Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, when she toured Norfolk. After landing at Norwich Airport and talking to Chapman, she sat behind the wheel and drove it round the site’s private roads.
Local media reported that she had said: “I was tempted to drive away
in it.” Phil Popham, CEO, Lotus Cars, commented: “What better way to launch our Certificate of Provenance than by showing how it has validated the celebrated history of an iconic and unique Turbo Esprit. The Lotus archive is a fully catalogued database of information and can provide a wealth of insightful facts on any Lotus car from any era. It’s the perfect gift for a Lotus owner anywhere in the world.”
Speaking about the unique Turbo Esprit, he added: “This is an iconic
and unique car from the Lotus back catalogue, personalised by our
founder Colin Chapman and with a truly fascinating provenance. It
deserves its place in our collection and we’re looking forward to
showing it off.”
