LOTUSMAN33

Time to get back on my old car now spring is here, I’ve been busy on the white car so this has taken the back seat. I’ve been tripping over this engine for months so it was time to get the thing in place doing it my favourite way from the top as opposed to the below method. The gearbox would have gone in had I been able to find the release bearing clips for the fork so replacements now ordered. I have started the mods to fuel inject the car with the throttle bodies fitted and engine sensors. ( I will do a post as a guide to fuel inject these cars for anyone else who wants to do the same, I’ve had a few issues already to overcome). I have started changing the chassis bolts as well in readiness to fit a new chassis in the future, for now I plan to get it driving as it’s blocking my white car in the garage. 🙂

My girls out enjoying the Devon spring sunshine. 🙂

Time flies, I still remember dragging it out of that London garage like it was yesterday! And what a transformation it’s had,I must pop up and see it sometime 😉

Job well done, those clocks look very clean now so hopefully it’ll be the last time they’re apart. 🙂

That’s positive with the tanks, the pumps can misbehave when they break down, is yours the older version with points or the later electronic one? I use sonic cleaner fluid in my sonic bath, it gets pretty filthy every time I do cleaning of carbs so amazing what comes out. Are you running points in the dizzy or electronic ignition? Certainly worth feeling along the leads when running to confirm no defects, this issue caught me out years ago after searching for a misfire issue for ages, they were pretty new leads hence my early dismissal. I’m sure you’ll be running fine again soon as can’t be much 🙂

I’d look at the fueling if you ignition system is in top order, how old is your SU pump? What condition are your fuel tanks in? If steel then tiny particles can really impact the carbs and give running issues although the filter should pick these up. What size idle jets are you running in the carbs, often a marginal increase can solve low end stumble as the fuel transitions to the main jets? Even try new OEM ones as they can appear clear but a varnish can accrue invisible to the eye. Without looking in the manual 40’s ring a bell so you could get a set of 45’s. Remember Lotus had to get these cars through emissions so they are just right. I used to swap them over on my Excel HC years ago just prior to MOT for this reason then put the larger ones in after. Ignition leads can appear fine but only a small defect in the insulation can cause issues. Really tough without seeing the car, enjoy the holiday and start fresh on your return 👍🏻🙂

It’s wet tomorrow but I have a 78 S1 in bits with the cables in place so I’ll do you some photos on Monday 👍🏻🙂

Thanks for the positive comments guys, you are both well accomplished restorers who have beautiful cars to show for your efforts and know you are both proud to own these iconic supercars. ☺️ I’m certainly no better than either of you and reading posts on TLF I regularly steal with pride taking peoples thoughts and work arounds turning them into reality on my builds. We all have a TLF duty to help the fellow man (person for the snowflakes) and newbies starting on their restoration journeys, I’m sure sat in a pub with we’d all get on like a house on fire sharing tales and woes of esprit ownership. I know for me everyday is a learning day which makes life fun, being bitten with poor quality parts having to fettle and make things work seems to be the norm these days. I 100% agree with rear bearings… SKF all day long 🙂

I bought one a while back listed as a Jaguar vent but not seen any come up since. Mine was destroyed getting it out the dash as the hole was cut for the Nextel paint finish, someone had since covered the dash in vinyl and forced it in. It was pretty misshapen and no longer operated so happy with the replacement from Nick 🙂

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/323104484051 Nick Warren sells them, just bought one myself. It will take a £20 offer on that price 👍🏻

Welcome to esprit ownership, looks like it has the makings of a nice car 🙂 Nice retrim, I’d lose the decals which would give the car back its elegant look. If you like them you can get the esprit turbo in the post 84 font which is smaller allowing the full stripe to be applied.

Good effort John, nice to see you are going original rather than the usual white. 🙂 Whats the interior plans?

Saw this on FB 🙂

Her Elan recently sold for £164K at Silverstone Auctions 🙂

This house has been posted on the RGV pages quite often, from memory the owner was serving time or so someone claimed. The derelict RGV250M was causing quite a stir with some thinking the esprit was a kit car which made me chuckle. No doubt someone was getting excited about the 406 on some other page 😁 The Esprit looks like a nice example although I can help thinking that ratchet strap would have done some damage with the weather and heat from the sun for so long. Hopefully it’ll get some attention soon as looks like a HC?

It looks to be in good shape, it will be a nice project for someone I’m sure, I’m a bit busy with my two at the moment but may check it out 🙂

Doesn’t look like I have it on the register either, I wonder what the last chassis digits are, I’ll have to pop down and see it I guess. 🙂 Found it, it’s 0300 and can confirm it’s Essex blue originally 🙂

Very nice indeed Matt, wish I kept mine to compliment the S1. They really are everyday use cars keeping the S1 for weekend fun. 🙂

When I checked the date of registration we did have it listed 3rd from top, I’ve added press car to the notes now, it’s been salvaged in the past as well through insurance.🙂

Thanks Mark do you know the colour spec?

Only other ones I have are these, it was somewhere in Switzerland I thinK?

Posted on FB 🙂

A period pic, not the best quality but would have looked impressive at the time 🙂

Hi Barry Thats great if you do, I’m happy to pass them onto Steve as I’m sure he’d love to see them. 🙂 Dave