Rare 1981 Lotus Esprit S3 prototype with Bond-related provenance offered for sale

A notable 1981 Lotus Esprit S3 (Type 85) pre-production prototype - internally known at Hethel as the “Yahoo Mobile” - has been listed for sale, offering collectors an unusually well-documented piece of Lotus engineering history with a direct link to the For Your Eyes Only Esprit.

Built as a Type 85 engineering prototype, the car was used extensively by Lotus for NVH evaluation, powertrain tuning and chassis calibration. Test drivers at Hethel nicknamed it the “Yahoo Mobile” due to its early asymmetric handling traits, exhibiting understeer in one direction and oversteer in the other before engineers refined its setup. After the calibration phase, senior Lotus engineer Brian Angus undertook a proving run from Hethel to Inverness and back, reporting that the car performed flawlessly.

This particular Esprit is also associated with the iconic registration OPW 678W, the numberplate used on the For Your Eyes Only Lotus Esprit Turbo. Its connection is noted in Jeremy Walton’s authoritative Lotus Esprit book (find this book on eBay), giving the prototype additional significance for Bond enthusiasts.

The car received a partial restoration and a full professional repaint in 2016 by renowned Lotus specialist Miles Wilkins (Fibreglass Services). Over the past 13 months, more than 500 hours of additional documented work have been completed, bringing the car to a fully reliable condition.

The current seller, who has restored multiple Esprits, including an S1 used in the Queen’s Pageant and another that won Concours at Brooklands, states that this S3 is the best-driving example of the three, with smoother delivery and improved mid-range torque. The colour scheme is described as particularly striking.

A detailed record of the restoration, including parts lists, receipts and photographic documentation, accompanies the vehicle. The work is also chronicled in a comprehensive thread on The Lotus Forums. The car has been professionally detailed, ceramic-coated, recently serviced and has just passed its MOT.

Factory documentation confirms its prototype status, and the car comes with supporting paperwork and period photographs.

This Esprit is presented as an opportunity for collectors, museums or enthusiasts seeking a highly significant example of the Esprit lineage, one that combines engineering-prototype provenance with a recognised connection to the James Bond film series.

Price: £50,000

If you’d like to be connected with the seller, please contact Bond Lifestyle.