According to my research , while most Lotus bikes were made in japan this particular model was made in Italy for one year only. The reference picture is identical to this bike as received , though the paint on my bike was in bad shape. I was restoring another italian bike, a De Bernardi at the same time that had been converted to a single speed and thought the Campi gear would help it sell for a higher price. The Lotus, being primarily a japanese built make would not be as valuable in the vintage market.
Going to the Ultegra groupset was in my view an upgrade.

Here is the wikipedia article on Lotus
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotus_(bicycles)