AN ultra-rare slice of motoring history is on sale at Car-Link of Bournemouth.

The dealership in Christchurch Road has this Lotus Esprit Sport 350 for sale.

This example is number 27 of only 46 cars that were built and represents a chance to own the rarest variant of Esprit ever made.

It has covered only 15,000 miles and has a full Lotus history.

Lotus manufactured the car to benefit from a combination of its’ V8 engine and brake, suspension and handling technology acquired from years of GT racing.

Each of the 46 cars has a limited edition aluminium plaque at the base of the windscreen in the centre of the dash and they were originally offered with blue-painted cam covers.

Visually, it differs from the more common V8 SE and GT by virtue of a newly-styled front end, a carbon fibre rear wing and OZ Racing alloy wheels.

Brakes were up-rated to improve stopping power and stiffer suspension and engine bracing gave better rigidity.

The engine was also remapped to increase torque in lower gears and overall weight was down by 80kg.

The example on sale at Car-Link is in silver and was registered in 2001.

It has had just two owners and is on sale now for £34,995.

Visit car-link.co.uk or call 01202 481199.