1981
Lotus Turbo Esprit
The wedge acquires a turbocharger
Colours used
in this example.
Pearl white sets the tone for this page. Shade the flat wedge panels with broad, even layers.
Suggested pencil shades, not exact factory paint matches. Test colours on your paper before building richer layers.
Shade the flat wedge panels with broad, even layers.
Build deeper shadows below the window line while leaving the visible seat tops lighter.
Reserve white for metal highlights. Keep rubber softer and less reflective.
Keep the existing setting quieter than the car and let the glass remain translucent.
Look a little closer.
Explore the details from different angles.
Reference 01
Lotus Esprit Turbo 1981. Comparison photograph: The source identifies a related surviving example. Exact build year, trim and original paint are not established for this photograph. Uncropped web derivative resized and converted to WebP; no colour changes.
Photo: Calreyn88 · Source · CC BY-SA 4.0Reference 02
1981 Lotus Turbo Esprit. Comparison photograph: The source identifies a related surviving example. Exact build year, trim and original paint are not established for this photograph. Uncropped web derivative resized and converted to WebP; no colour changes.
Photo: David Merrett from Daventry, England · Source · CC BY 2.0Reference 03
1981 Lotus Esprit Turbo. Comparison photograph: The source identifies a related surviving example. Exact build year, trim and original paint are not established for this photograph. Uncropped web derivative resized and converted to WebP; no colour changes.
Photo: Phil Guest from Bournemouth, UK · Source · CC BY-SA 2.0Reference 04
1981 Lotus Esprit Turbo. Comparison photograph: The source identifies a related surviving example. Exact build year, trim and original paint are not established for this photograph. Uncropped web derivative resized and converted to WebP; no colour changes.
Photo: Calreyn88 · Source · CC BY-SA 4.0Reference 05
1981 Lotus Esprit Turbo - Haynes International Motor Museum - Sparkford, Yeovil, Somerset. Comparison photograph: The source identifies a related surviving example. Exact build year, trim and original paint are not established for this photograph. Uncropped web derivative resized and converted to WebP; no colour changes.
Photo: Glen Bowman from Newcastle, England · Source · CC BY 2.0Historical finishes and details
The specialist Esprit history dates the conventional-colour Turbo to April 1981, after the Essex-liveried launch cars. Do not apply Essex graphics to every Turbo. The white body and red cabin here are creative colouring choices.
In the photographs
The photographs show black with gold lettering and red. Use these surviving display cars to compare shapes and visible finishes. Exact build date and original paint have not been established for every example. Restored paint and later changes are possible.
In the coloured example
The pencil example uses pearl white bodywork with red cabin tones. It is a creative colouring guide, not a factory paint match or a recreation of one gallery car.
Make the details count.
Shade the flat wedge panels with broad, even layers.
Keep the side intakes and rear louvres dark but individually readable.
Follow your curiosity.
Model history and further reading.