The Lotus Esprit has always been Britain’s dare-to-be-different supercar, a wedge of sheer adrenaline with a pedigree in James Bond films and racetracks alike. This 1999 Lotus Esprit GT3 is an especially rare breed – one of only 196 made, and one of just 2 finished in vibrant orange, a colour as bold and eye-catching as the car’s angular lines. Even more incredible: fewer than five Esprit GT3s exist in all of Australia, making this a unicorn sighting on our roads. Fitted with a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, the GT3 may be smaller in displacement than Aussie V8s, but it leverages Lotus’s legendary engineering to deliver breathtaking performance through lightness and handling finesse. The moment you slip into its snug cockpit, you sense the purpose – from the classic wooden Lotus shift knob to the race-inspired instrument layout, it’s clear this car was bred for driving enthusiasts. On a winding coastal drive, the GT3 dances through corners where heavier local muscle cars would falter. Every input is met with immediate response, a testament to Colin Chapman’s philosophy of “simplify, then add lightness.” Owning this Esprit is not just about speed; it’s about the statement that you value the art of driving and exclusivity.

Why it’s special: This Lotus offers a collectability double-whammy: extremely low production numbers and a storied lineage. As one of the final iterations of the Esprit (a model that had a remarkable nearly 30-year run), the GT3 encapsulates the swan song of analogue British sports cars. For investors, the rarity of this example – especially in its unique factory colour – positions it for solid appreciation. It appeals to a niche of collectors who seek something different from the usual Ferraris and Porsches, potentially making it a standout piece in a high-end collection. Moreover, the Esprit’s pop-culture legacy (from The Spy Who Loved Me to Pretty Woman) adds an element of nostalgia-driven demand. In short, it’s a car that delivers on road excitement and on paper investment sense, outclassing any domestic Australian sports car in exclusivity and engineering pedigree.