EU Market Find: James Bond “For Your Eyes Only” Lotus Esprit Replica

What: 1986 Lotus Esprit Turbo
Color: Copper Fire Metallic (unknown)
VIN:  N/A
Mileage: 63,000 km
Price: € 82.500
Location: Leeuwarden, NL
Listing: AutoScout24

We’re not usually in the business of featuring movie replica cars on this site, but will definitely make an exception for a James Bond For Your Eyes Only Lotus Esprit Turbo. To explain that, it’s worth digging into the history of the original movie car.

Bond Back Story

At the beginning of Lotus Esprit Turbo production, the car was initially only available in Essex Commemorative trim. In that time, the Essex Petroleum Company was title sponsor of the Lotus F1 team from 1980-1981. Part of that allegedly $8M deal was that the first 100 Esprit Turbos were to be built in “Essex Specification” with leather interior, air conditioning, Sundym glass and unique roof-mounted Panasonic stereo. All 100 cars were painted in Essex corporate colors of Monaco Blue with chrome and red graphics, while the interior of all cars was red.

That configuration wasn’t for everyone, and so a few cars trickled out deviating in specification. Among them was the original Bond car in question (Chassis #10930). However, even here it didn’t appear as the highly memorable Copper Fire Metallic most of us recall when the car rolls up with über cool custom ski rack in the ski-town of Cortina.

When it left the factory, #10930 was painted white with red graphics and a tobacco interior. After briefly serving as a press car, it was then loaned to United Artists for the filming of For Your Eyes Only along with the original Esprit Turbo prototype (chassis #1058) that had been changed from Essex specification to white in order to be a second identical car for filming. Both were used in filming on location in Corfu where a third car, effectively a rolling body shell, was blown up.

The two full cars were returned to the Lotus factory. Further filming was slated for Cortina, and given the filming in the snow-covered Dolomite Mountain region, producers wanted a different color. Both #10858 and #10930 were repainted Copper Fire Metallic so that the Esprit would stand out and appear vibrantly on screen. The pair of cars would later do promotional work around the film premiere, and #10930 would be retained by the Lotus factory until 1998. (source: SuperCarNostalgia.com)

This Replica

The 1986 Lotus Turbo Esprit being offered is represented as a thoughtfully executed James Bond 007 replica, complete with some of the most sought-after details from the film cars. A rare European-spec example showing just 63,000 km, it features authentic three-piece Compomotive wheels and a functioning Panasonic RM-610 roof-mounted stereo—an exact match to the gadget-laden setup used by Bond on screen.

The seller reports extensive recent mechanical care, including an engine-out service with correctly set valve clearances, a new cambelt, and a full cleaning. New tyres with period-correct Goodyear markings and adjustable suspension have also been fitted. The car was resprayed in 2022 in the correct shade, presenting today as a crisp, well-finished homage. Long-distance reliability appears strong; the owner notes recent trouble-free drives to the Lotus factory and through France.

Originally from Spain, the car benefits from a dry climate, and components such as the original 1986 cooling fans reportedly show no corrosion. Accompanying items include the owner’s manual, jack, spindle, and the original factory tool roll.

The seller describes it as a personal passion car reluctantly listed only because another special opportunity has arisen. As long as the advertisement remains live, the Esprit is available. There’s no mention of a custom ski rack like the Bond car, and we don’t see one in the photos. Nevertheless, this represents the unique opportunity and we wanted to share it.