Identified through Lotus Cars Ltd records as the first JPS edition, displayed at the 1978 Earls Court Motor Show.
Iconic profile
Debuting at the 1978 Earls Court Motor Show as the “World Championship Commemorative Model,” the car quickly became known as the John Player Special—or JPS—and stood out as Lotus’s first and most memorable limited-edition Esprit.
Racer’s interior
The interior was purpose built for those that enjoy the raw feel of the road. Leather seats with analog gauges centered right in front for easy visibility.
Performance engine
Powered by a 1,973cc 16-valve DOHC engine rated at 160 bhp, the 1,980-lb fiberglass-bodied car managed 0–60 mph in 6.8 seconds and a 124 mph top speed.
Unique graphics
The specification featured gold side stripes with World Championship lettering, gold-trimmed windscreen surrounds front and rear, and body-colored alloy wheels.
Short throw gear box
Built to drive with a 5-speed manual transmission.
Room for a spare
Storage space is limited, but enough for the most practical items and a spare tire.
Performance exhaust
Single exhaust with dual tips is plenty to let this little rocket breathe.
Pop-ups, of course
The pop-up head lights were popular during this era for sports cars.
Low mileage for sure
Driven sparingly and carefully warmed to operating temperature on brief, regular outings, the odometer now shows 1,840 miles.
Wide stance
From the rear you can see the wide stance and highly visible taillights. The rear diffuser helps with aerodynamics.
Source: Iconic Auctioneers
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