Only twenty Jim Clark Limited Edition Lotus Esprit’s were produced. This car proudly wears plaque #10 on its dashboard. Rarely does a car draw more comments. It may be the cars seductive, enduring shape, which has cut a cuneiform figure since its styling genesis in 1975, it may be its hen’s-tooth rarity, or it may be the fluorescent yellow pinstripes and chrome yellow wheels affixed to a body slathered in British Racing Green.
Which is what makes this car familiar. If you are 50-something, you will remember the BRG and yellow mid-engined Lotus 38 that won the 1965 Indy 500 with Scotsman Jim Clark aboard. With this Limited Edition Esprit, Lotus commemorated the 25th Anniversary of that very win. Current Formula 1 fans will also know that Lotus is back in the foray for 2010, and sporting the same, God-save-the-Queen British Racing Green, and yellow livery. In addition to the provocative paint, the Jim Clark Edition Esprit included a cockpit awash in gold Connolly leather with green piping, and embossed on each headrest, beneath a checkered flag, is the legend “Indianapolis 1965”.
The Esprit SE was the world’s only supercar with a four-cylinder engine. The 2.2 liter charger-cooled turbocharged alloy brute produces 264 horsepower at 6500 rpm. This translates to a serious specific output of 2 hp per cubic inch. At full trot between 3000 and 5000 rpm, the 2953-pound Esprit feels as if it were loaded with a V8 gulping a cubic yard or two of nitrous. Sixty mph comes in 4.8 seconds – one-tenth of a second quicker than a period Corvette ZR-1 with twice as many cylinders, or a Ferrari 512TR with three times as many. Its 50-to-70 time bests both its turbocharged rivals, the Porsche 930 and Ferrari F40.
There is much to covet too. The cabin’s intoxicating leather might even gain the approval of the bovines from which it was snatched. The pedals are perfectly aligned for heel-and-toe shifting, the seats are exceptionally comfortable, and the steering is Formula Ford fast.
Limited Edition #10 was delivered to its first owner in Lakewood, CO on August 7, 1992. Having had just two caring owners from new, the current mileage is just 7,229, and the overall presentation is as-new. All historical documentation comes with the car, up to, and including an April 2010 receipt for the major belt service by a marque specialist, that included timing, alternator, water pump, and A/C belt replacement. All fluids have been replaced, and the battery is new. In short, this spectacular Lotus is in need of nothing but a new pilot.
