1996 Lotus Esprit V8 Auto Art Diecast w/Display Case

Lotus Cars is a British manufacturer of sports and racing cars based at Hethel, Norfolk, England. The company is famous for designing and building landmark race and production automobiles of extremely light weight and possessing legendary handling characteristics. Lotus Esprit, a mid-engined sports car, launched in the early 1970s. The Esprit shocked many at its launch; its geometric, laser-cut lines seemed far more futuristic than anything on the road -- or on the cinema screen, for that matter , it was styled by Italian designer Giorgetto Giugiaro.

The Esprit started with a light, 4-cylinder design, which went through several iterations of turbo-charging and electronic upgrades, before finally being replaced by a highly-advanced V8. The last Lotus Esprit rolled off the production line on 20 February 2004, after 28 years in production. A total of 10,675 Esprits were built since production began in 1976. A red Lotus Esprit Turbo was featured in the movie For Your Eyes Only. This vehicle was cosmetically similar to the S2, but mechanically different, as it exhibited no submarine capabilities (there are gadgets implied, but not seen).

It was most notable for its remarkable security system, which detonated and destroyed the car when Gonzales henchman broke the drivers window in an attempt to break in. Q Branch provided a second Turbo to Bond in burgundy instead of white later in the movie.