Cormac McCarthy's Lotus Esprit Is For Sale

Ordinarily, you'd be right to immediately close out of a browser tab holding a listing for a non-running four-cylinder Lotus Esprit with a gap in registration covering four presidencies. Unless it was owned by someone special. Cormac McCarthy, legendary author of some of the planet's greatest written works, including Blood Meridian and All The Pretty Horses, is that special someone.

The car is listed for auction over on Hagerty, with the listing being handled by McCarthy's brother, Dennis, the executor of Cormac's estate. McCarthy passed in 2023, leaving a sizable collection of cars. According to comments left by Dennis in the listing, he has sold 13 prior vehicles belonging to the author. The Esprit is "one of the few remaining." However, it doesn't run, though the problem could be an easy fix: Dennis says the car "does not currently run due to what two mechanics believe is a failed in‑tank fuel pump."

The vehicle itself has quite a story. The vehicle was registered in both New York and New Jersey, but there's a gap in registration beginning in 2008. McCarthy bought the car in 2010, but the vehicle was never registered, titled, or apparently driven very much, with just 18,000 or so miles on the odometer. “I want to sell it to somebody who says, ‘Oh, I’ve wanted to have one of these things all my life, I’d love to play with this thing. I’m willing to do whatever it takes," Dennis said to Hagerty. “He liked to take cars and play with them," continues McCarthy's brother.

The Esprit S4S was effectively the most powerful four-cylinder version of the mid-engine coupe, also sold with a big V8 engine. Changes included an upgraded turbocharging system, bigger brakes, aerodynamic bodywork, and larger brakes and wheels. Given the car hasn't run for some time, it's likely it'll need quite a bit more work, which is probably why Dennis McCarthy opted to sell the vehicle as-is. Despite its known issues, it's still a deeply special piece of American history thanks to Cormac's ownership. Manage to win the auction, and Dennis says that he will arrange pickup with the winner, providing a "signed letter of provenance verifying Cormac’s ownership."