Lotus Esprit at 50: A British Icon Celebrated at Concours of Elegance
From Bond car to British automotive legend, the Lotus Esprit has captivated enthusiasts for half a century. This September, the Concours of Elegance will celebrate this milestone with a spectacular display of ten exceptional examples, showcasing the evolution of this groundbreaking supercar.
Set against the magnificent backdrop of Hampton Court Palace, Club Lotus will present a carefully curated selection of Esprits on Saturday 6th September, spanning the model’s remarkable 28-year production run. From the crisp, pure lines of the original Giugiaro-designed Series 1 to the muscular presence of the final V8 models, visitors will witness the complete evolution of one of Britain’s most innovative and captivating sports cars.
The Esprit story began at the 1975 Paris Motor Show, where its dramatic wedge-shaped design caused a sensation. Just two years later, it would achieve silver screen immortality as the submarine car in “The Spy Who Loved Me,” cementing its place in popular culture. But the Esprit was far more than just a movie star – it represented Colin Chapman’s vision of the perfect mid-engined supercar, combining his signature lightweight engineering and delicate handling with extraordinary performance – especially in Turbo and V8 forms.
Throughout its lifetime, the Esprit continually evolved. Visitors to the Concours will see this relentless development first-hand, with examples ranging from early naturally-aspirated cars through to the twin-turbocharged V8 models that marked the end of production in 2004. Special variants including the ultra-rare Essex Turbo Esprit and the Sport 300 will demonstrate how Lotus consistently refined and enhanced the platform.
James Brooks-Ward, Concours of Elegance CEO, said: “The Esprit represents everything that made Lotus special. It took on the established supercar manufacturers with innovative engineering, striking design, and that quintessential Lotus handling. We’re thrilled to celebrate its 50th anniversary with this outstanding display.”
The Lotus showcase forms part of the Concours of Elegance’s dynamic car club display program, which sees different clubs and displays featured each day of the event. This rotating format ensures visitors experience fresh content throughout the weekend, complementing the main Concours display of 70 rare and significant vehicles and the special Formula One 75th anniversary celebrations.
Tickets for the Concours of Elegance 2025, including access to the Lotus Esprit display, are available now at www.concoursofelegance.co.uk/tickets