Lotus Esprit – 1997 PPG Pace Car
Now privately owned, this Lotus Esprit Pace Car is street legal.
History
Specifications
This car was originally painted in an iridescent black/gold color for the 1997 season. It was repainted the current yellow for the 1998 season to show better on TV. Underneath the yellow is a translucent green. In Noonday sun, it is pure yellow. In fading light and at certain angles, green can be seen in the yellow. The Esprit is powered by a 3.5 liter 32-valve DOHC V8 twin-turbo, hand assembled and balanced by Lotus. The exhaust system has straight pipes from the turbos – no mufflers. The ECU program is unique to this car, ECU #L0960001. The car has no EGR, air pump or catalysts. A full roll cage extends from axle line to axle line and attaches to the frame at each end. The cage is replicated from the championship-winning X180R Esprit factory race cars. Inside, you’ll find Sport 300 racing style fixed back seats with 4-point driver and passenger racing restraints. The Esprit rides on Adjustable coil-over Spax shocks and factory OZ Racing Futura Wheels.
Current Status
The car has extensive documentation from both Lotus and PPG, from the initial correspondence to the project Gantt chart to build and equip the car to the press releases and bills of sale between Lotus and PPG. Lotus sold the car to PPG for $1.00 in early 1997 and it was sold back to Lotus at the end of the season. That was repeated for the 1998 season.
Information above found on: http://www.lotusespritworld.com/EOtherstuff/PaceCar_Esprit4Sale.html
Loved this car. I almost got a ride in it at Mid-Ohio but it came into the pits overheating. PPG gave up the Pace car program, but I miss the days of Mike Sack running the events with a cast of all women professional drivers at the helm for customer laps. If this ever goes to market, count me on as a buyer and good steward!
This car was originally painted black with a prismatique midcoat.