A Lotus Esprit Turbo, which has been stored in a West Country barn for 30 years, staggered everyone when it sold for £20,000 in Charterhouse auction of classic cars at the Haynes Motor Museum on 26th March.
“I have seen and sold many projects of the years, but this is perhaps one of the more unusual as it was not only covered in lichen but also a thick covering of moss.” Commented Richard Bromell.
This Lotus Esprit Turbo rolled off the production line in 1982 and was bought by the owner in 1990. He undertook restoring the car, but by 1995 he drove the Lotus into a Dutch barn where it remained until being dragged out for the Charterhouse auction.
Estimated to sell for £10,000 there was plenty of interest in the Esprit before the auction, although some were sceptical it would sell at all.
This Charterhouse specialist auction of classic and vintage totalled £425,000 from the 60 vehicles which went under the hammer.
Charterhouse are now accepting further entries for their next specialist classic car auction at Haynes on 4th June for which they already have a collection of vintage Lagonda’s consigned.
Richard Bromell and the team at Charterhouse, The Long Street Salerooms, Sherborne are available for vehicle valuations on 01935 812277 or via cars@charterhouse-auction.com
Barn stored for 30 years – the 1982 Lotus Esprit Turbo sold by Charterhouse for £20,000