Many might view the absence of a motor in this Nice Price or No Dice Esprit as a hurdle. Yet others could regard it as a chance, which the seller highlights by labeling the vehicle a strong pick for an LS conversion. We must weigh how the sticker price influences that view.

In the opening of the 1983 film The Twilight Zone, Dan Ackroyd and Albert Brooks portray a pair cruising after dark on a remote rural route. To fill the hours they play a trivia game about television, starting with humming show themes before debating the most frightening Twilight Zone installment. Ackroyd's role then inquires if the other wants to witness something truly frightening and urges a stop. Upon halting he transforms into a terrifying creature with shining eyes and chomping jaws before lunging at Brooks. Quite chilling!

Reader reactions showed many found the notion of possessing an aged BMW such as the desirable stick-shift 2000 540i from Wednesday equally alarming. Or at minimum a costly endeavor. That concern stemmed first from the $14500 asking figure which earned a 63 percent No Dice rejection.

Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious

Now consider today's 1988 Lotus Esprit. Colin Chapman long championed the idea that shedding weight was the surest route to speed. This example must therefore be exceptionally swift since it has shed its bulkiest elements including the motor and gearbox along with assorted smaller pieces.

Indeed this is a project requiring hands-on effort, tool work and perhaps an inspiring sequence to speed its return to drivable condition. Why invest the time? Two factors stand out.

First the car is described as a 40th Anniversary model backed by its pearl white finish over blue and gray Connolly leather and suede-pigskin trim. That places it among just 88 examples created to mark Lotus's milestone year.

Second Esprits lend themselves well to video documentation as shown by George Karellas on the Soup Classic Motoring channel where he has chronicled the careful revival of an earlier model. Notably the effort occurs in an attic space above a body shop near Dublin Ireland and has already spanned five years partly because the work is captured in stop-motion format.

The world is your oyster

While George started with a largely intact though worn Esprit this one presents broader options since it arrives without any drivetrain. That invites all manner of creative choices for what to install. The seller suggests it suits an LS swap well yet as Homer Simpson might remark that idea feels rather dull.

Instead one might explore a powertrain from an Audi RS model or perhaps the twin-turbo V6 from a damaged Porsche Macan GTS. Paired with a Getrag six-speed from a Boxster or Cayman the result could prove impressive.

In any case work will be needed to elevate this Esprit beyond a display item even though the Peter Stevens update of the original Giugiaro shape remains appealing overall. Additional absent items requiring replacements include the gauge cluster climate controls and one pop-up headlight mechanism. Few would expect a typical parts store to stock such components.

Opportunity abounds

Still the outlook is not entirely negative. The listing notes a clear title and the vacuum-formed plastic body appears reasonably sound. The steel backbone frame is also said to be free of corrosion. A large assortment of parts accompanies the car making it more complete than initial images suggest.

Certain onboard items carry notable value individually. The removable glass sunroof for instance can fetch around $1500 for the pane alone. One option might be to dismantle the car for parts yet that would eliminate the enjoyment of imagining new engine possibilities. We should therefore evaluate the vehicle as a whole for either restoration or creative reinvention.

The cheapest Esprit in all the land

Given these details the $6500 price must be weighed. It likely represents the lowest cost path to Esprit ownership aside from wrecks or toy versions. Further expenses will arise since the car requires nearly every major system plus some hard-to-find pieces. Yet if the revival were filmed for a monetized channel the effort could prove financially sensible.

What is your take? Does the open-ended nature of this Esprit project appeal or does the scale of the task place it out of reach for most enthusiasts and their budgets?

The choice is yours.

Minneapolis Minnesota Craigslist listing.

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