50 years of Lotus Esprit

In October 1975, Lotus launched its new top model, the Esprit. The sports coupé was available for no less than 28 years, albeit in different versions and variants. The Louwman Museum is celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of this iconic English sports car by displaying the very first and very last Esprit side by side in the Great Hall from 1 to 31 October 2025.

The Esprit was Lotus' answer to Ferrari. The English had already taken on the Italian racing team in Formula 1, but on public roads, the two operated in different classes. Lotus founder Colin Chapman changed that in 1975 by introducing the Esprit, designed by Giugiaro. The sports car came in different 'series' with different engines and bodywork, but always with its characteristic lines.

The fiftieth anniversary of the first Esprit is not the only reason to put the spotlight on the Lotus Esprit, because this distinctive sports coupé deserves to be highlighted. During the exhibition, Lotus Esprit collector and expert Bauke Tocus will give a special lecture for true enthusiasts. During this high-quality presentation, attendees will hear the remarkable story of the English sports car. Bauke will give diehard Esprit fans the opportunity to ask technical questions afterwards.

The exhibition '50 Years of Lotus Esprit' is part of the monthly 'pit stop' series, in which the Louwman Museum highlights specific models. Previously, the Louwman Museum exhibited the Maserati MC12 Corsa and the BMW 507 and Z8 duo. The Lotus Esprit duo will be on display at the museum from 1 to 31 October.