- Auctions
- The Iconic Sale at Silverstone Festival 2025 - Collectors' Cars
- 1995 Lotus Esprit S4s - ex-Press Car
1995 Lotus Esprit S4s - ex-Press Car
Lot Number: 431
1995 Lotus Esprit S4s - ex-Press Car
The S4s was the final development of the four-cylinder, 2.2-litre turbocharged Esprit and this magazine-featured, Calypso Red, low-mileage example was an original Press Car.
- ESTIMATE: £35,000 - £40,000
+ buyer's premium of 12.5% plus VAT (15% incl VAT)
You can choose to bid in the room, by phone, online or via commission.
LIVE AUCTION: This lot will be auctioned on Saturday 23rd August, 2025 at 12.00pm BST at The Wing, Silverstone Circuit, NN12 8TN
-
BODY COLOUR
Calypso Red -
DRIVE
RHD -
REG NUMBER
M181 BEX -
ODOMETER READING
25290 Miles
SUMMARY
The S4s was the final development of the four-cylinder, 2.2-litre turbocharged Esprit and this magazine-featured, Calypso Red, low-mileage example was an original Press Car.
DESCRIPTION
The final development of the four-cylinder, 2.2-litre turbocharged Esprit, the S4s (the factory used a small 's') was born from Lotus customers telling the company that they wanted their Esprit to be as fast as the ultra-quick and raw Sport 300 but with the comfort and flexibility of the standard S4. 367 were built in total.
This particular Lotus Esprit S4s was one of the original Press Cars and was featured in the April 1995 edition of Autocar magazine, being put through its paces by Andrew Frankel who was Road Test Editor at the time quoting that 'Britain only built one mid-engined supercar and you're looking at it', high praise indeed for a car at the time which Andrew described as one that 'deserves your respect'. Some 30 years later we suggest that remains true, with looks that still request your attention and turn heads wherever you go.
Finished in Calypso Red with a Black Alcantara interior, this example was first registered to Lotus Cars Limited in March 1995 and retained by them until being transferred to its first private custodian, a Mr R McCarthy of Castle Coombe in April 1996. Remaining in outstanding condition throughout with an impressively low 25,290 miles and a large history file that outlines the intervening years, we suggest that this particular Lotus would be a welcome addition to any Lotus or sports car collection and as such we welcome and encourage your early inspection to confirm that all your requirements are fulfilled. It's also pleasing to note that the original, magazine-featured registration number, M181 BEX, remains assigned, underlining the car's history and lineage.
SPECIFICATION
- Lot Number
- 431
- Make
- LOTUS
- Model
- S4S
- Variant
- Coupe
- Registration Number
- M181 BEX
- Chassis Number
- SCC082910SHA64001
- Engine Number
- LN910941228781
- Transmission
- Manual
- Body Colour
- Calypso Red
GALLERY
SPECIALIST
Charles Smalley
- Car Specialist
- 07421 007866
- charles@iconicauctioneers.com
For further information regarding this lot please contact Charles.
Email CharlesTelephone Charles
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Please note all lots must be removed from the venue no later than 2pm on Monday 25th August. Collections will be from 9am - 2pm. If you cannot collect yourself, please do get in touch with our transport partner, EM Rogers, who will be happy to help you.
Uplift by EM Rogers back to their storage facility in Northampton is £175 plus VAT. Storage is £10 plus VAT per day for the first seven days and £40 plus VAT per week thereafter.
For larger vehicles such as vans, transporters etc. please contact EM Rogers on +44 (0)1604 755511 for a quote.
If you cannot collect, or do not let us know transport arrangements before 9am on 25th August, we will send the car to EM Rogers on your behalf.
Did you know that you may be able to finance your upcoming auction purchase? Our exclusive finance partner Apollo Capital are able to organise fast pre-approval for car funding on the latest interest rates and terms, minimum £50k lend.
An agreement in principle could see you arrange a finance package so the funds are ready to be paid out when you’ve bought your dream auction purchase. Please speak to their experts for a quote on 01423 590242 or visit apollocapitalgroup.co.uk/iconicauctioneers/.

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