Thank Bond for the upmarket image of the Esprit, although Lotus boss Colin Chapman always intended this midengined supercar should appeal to a more moneyed set when it was launched in 1976. Thanks to a production run lasting an incredible 28 years, there’s a huge choice of cars for anyone wanting a sharply British flavour to their champagne motoring. On a more Cava budget, start your hunt at the earlest 2.0-litre cars from around £7000, but the choice doesn’t stop until £35,000 for the last V8s from early this century. Find the rare, be-winged Sport 350 special edition from 1999 and the price goes even higher, although nowhere near the £65,000 it originally cost. As in any elite club, there are subtle snobberies within. Such as whether youprefer the original Giugiaro wedge shape, or the more supple Peter Stevens redesign from 1987. Engines are the other divider, with most preferring the power of the turbos (from 1980) and ideally bolted onto the ferociously quick 3.5 V8 from 1996 that replaced the fourcylinder cars. You’ll need above £19,000 to get hold of a pretty good one though. Whatever the car you’re guaranteed fabulous handing (so long as the geometry is set well, say the experts), a near-supine driving position, minimal space and a balky, fragile gearbox. A composite plastic body means no rust, although the backbone chassis might not be so lucky. But mainly check for love and attention, particularly around service time..