Pitstop from 1 to 31 October: 50 years of the Lotus Esprit
September 8, 2025
50 years of the Lotus Esprit. Two icons. One special occasion.
In our Pitstop from 1 to 31 October: the very first and the very last Esprit. From Giugiaros revolutionary lines to the raw power of the twin turbo V8. An English sports car legend that challenged Ferrari fifty years ago and has since grown into an icon of design and engineering.
Attend the talk on Sunday 5 October at 11:00.
In October 1975, Lotus launched its new flagship model, the Esprit. The sports coupe remained in continuous production for no less than 28 years, albeit in various versions and variants. The Louwman Museum is celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of this iconic British sports car by showcasing the very first and the very last Esprit side by side in the Great Hall from 1 to 31 October 2025.
The Esprit was Lotus answer to Ferrari. The British were already battling the Italian team in Formula 1, but on public roads the two operated in different classes. Lotus founder Colin Chapman changed that in 1975 by introducing the Esprit, designed by Giugiaro. The sports car appeared in various series with different engines and body trims, but always with its distinctive lines.
The fiftieth anniversary of the first Esprit is not the only reason to put the spotlight on the Lotus Esprit, because this distinctive sports coupe truly deserves to be highlighted. During the exhibition, Lotus Esprit collector and expert Bauke Tocus will give a special lecture for real enthusiasts. In this high quality presentation, attendees will hear the remarkable story of the English sports car. Bauke will give diehard Esprit fans the opportunity to ask technical questions afterwards. Will you join us too? Sign up on our Facebook event page
Lotus Esprit S1.
1. Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro with his famous wedge shape.
2. Known as the Bond car in The Spy Who Loved Me.
3. Lightweight construction and pure driving pleasure in line with Colin Chapmans philosophy.
Lotus Esprit Final Edition.
1. The final chapter of almost thirty years of continuous production.
2. Equipped with a powerful twin-turbo V8 and modern technology.
3. Rare and exclusive, a fitting finale to the Esprit line.