johnpwalsh

Update couple of days ago. New rear glass fitted and tailgate back on. Sunroof repaired and now closes and seals. And for todays instalment. Busy day ahead moving cars about, but went up early this morning to the garage to spend a couple of hours on my own car and see if there was life in the girl. She's been sitting for a few days with oil in the bores just for safety sake as I has previously turned her over from the crank. Stuck a battery in her and after a couple of dunt's on the starter solenoid she spun over with obvious spark at the leads. So being brave, plugs refitted, dummy fuel tank set up with an SU pump feeding directly to the carbs. The ever helpful Wendy Walsh in the seat and turned the key as requested. Bloody hell, didn't she just fire. Carb tops off for quick visual and both appeared to be spotlessly clean and the needles moving freely, so fired up the remote fuel tank, half choke and try a start. And away she went, bit smokey to start with due to the oil in the bores, but she did sound good. Only run her for about 40 seconds or so then shut her off. But man, I'm well chuffed. Original 30+ year old plugs, distributor cap was never touched, obviously oil, water etc all checked prior to crossing my fingers. Still can't load videos, so try this way. You can scroll down the link and you will find all the video's. If you click more comments, that will open the latest video of 1st start. I hope https://www.facebook.com/groups/18682611768/posts/10159970486046769/?comment_id=10159990350266769&notif_id=1713594220518654&notif_t=feedback_reaction_generic&ref=notif

Update. The glass comes out of the replacement tailgate and gets fitted to my one on Wednesday. Hopefully, unbroken and fitted all in one piece.

Update. Complete tailgate collected today. Hopefully the glass will be safely removed and fitted to my car this coming week by a local company that I use to remove and refit windscreens when sending cars for resprays making her complete again.

And today, it just gets better. I have been offered a tailgate complete with glass from a friend who wrote off his 1st Esprit about 10/12 years ago. To be collected this weekend, and it's reasonably local. I have a company not too far from me organised to remove the glass from that tailgate and fit to her own one. Another result.

Nice one Filip. I managed to open it with the link. Gave her a soft wash today to clear the 29 years of dust and crap. Did some digging into her history as well and found that it was 29 years exactly yesterday (the day we pulled her out) since she went into storage. So it was a happy birthday to A 192 MBF or as Wendy has named her. My Best Friend lol. And No, she is not getting her. Had another great bit of news as well. Had a message from one of our early club members to say that he still had the S3 tailgate from the car he wrote off 10/12 years ago and that it was available for sale too me if I wanted it. Quick phone call, price agreed which was reasonable and plans made to go collect end of this week, company organised to remove from the tailgate and fit to my one. Result. Did I mention that we also got a brand spanking new Stainless Steel exhaust which still has the Lotus products name on it. Result after result. Happy bunny.

I have a short video Andy, but the system wont let me post it. I thought with Gold status I would have some increased allowance, but all I can get is a snipe. I will get some pics tomorrow once I have more time and she's up the yard.

So here she is after last weeks reveal. I had to take a day out for the rescue. Two vans, 2 cars trailers and an estate car to the 1st location and vans and one trailer loaded with the 1968 MGB GC plus all the parts. Then onto the 2nd location to reveal the S3 N/A. First time the doors have been opened in 29 years. Two hours to clear all the gear that had been stacked up in the garage, another 2 too free off the rear brake callipers, and another couple too free of the cross gate and hokey stick selectors as both were seized. Surprisingly, one tyre was still fully inflated after 29 years !!!. the remaining three took air with no problem. Strategically placed soft slings and a wee tug, and out she comes. Far easier than any of us expected. Big thanks to Wendy Walsh, for her patience today, and a couple of friends who came to help out. Kev, Aaran and Kyle. I have a short video of the reveal, but for some reason the system wont allow it.

Swap for a certain Red one as I already have an almost exact copy of this one, only it has a turbo.

And here she is. Wendy, (my long suffering important other half) the previous owners partner and her son spent 11 bloody cold and wet hours moving three of the other cars from the group. We changed/swapped/inflated/humped 3 sets of wheels, swapped 3 batteries, pushed a bloody big heavy BM, dragged, pushed pulled one of the Alphas kicking and screaming uphill, up a drive then maneuvered it in front of the big house alongside the other two cars that we had already given the same treatment, so that the garage doors are clear for the final reveal to daylight this coming Wednesday. This will be the first time these garage doors have been opened since April 1995 and that will reveal one of my favourite cars. Yep. Lotus Esprit S3 N/A. Total miles covered, 23,351. 1st owner for 2 years, then the current owner since and up to today where she now belongs to her new owner. ME. Along with the car comes several box's of spare parts which the previous owner had purchased over the years purely in case he would ever need them, that includes a full exhaust system. The stunning part is inside the car there is NO damp, NO mildew or mould which I find truly surprising. Getting her out is going to be a bit of a challenge as all four wheels are none surprisingly flat, the brakes are all stuck on, it's an uphill pull and it's on a loose gravel drive where we can get no traction as we found today while moving the other three cars. But, it will be done, she will be dragged out onto the street through a very narrow wall entrance which if not careful can catch your car door mirror's and rip them off, ( don't ask how I know ) and onto a main road which just for fun is on a bend and on the brow of a hill. Wonderful. Now, if someone could tell me how to attach a small video clip, I would do that and take the snapshot pics off.

Couple of weeks back a nice woman from further down the coast contacted me too see if I could help her sort out several cars left by her late partner. She explained that the whole estate had gone through probate and she was now the legal owner but had no clue how to value them prior to disposal. The fleet consisted of three nice Alpha Romeos, a BMW 525i, an MGB GC and a fifth which was hidden away in a garage and had not seen light of day since April 1995. This car in particular was why she had tracked me down and got in contact. We organised a day trip down to have a look at the fleet and see how we could help her out. the 1967 MGB GC had been completely dismantled in the late 80's with plans for restoration. This I was surprised at given the current condition of the car, never mind how it had looked when taken off the road. The trio of Alpha's were also in pretty good condition as on their last outing had been covered in a wax substance and put under cover's. The BM had been used as his daily driver and had been parked on the drive during all the proceedings. However, like all his other cars it was obvious that the car had been well cared for. Car No.5 was the last one I had too look over and I was gob smacked to see what it was. Half under covers of sheets and cardboard and completely covered in dust, surrounded by parts of the BGT GC all in box's. Sadly, some youngster had put a brick through one of the Perspex roof panels which had then gone through one of the cars windows leaving the usual mess of a shattered car window. Now, for more info you will have to come back tomorrow evening, as early tomorrow morning we are off on a three hour drive, with a van load of tools, jacks, compressor, starter jump pack and god knows what else and a camera to catch the moment that the garage doors open for the 1st time in 29 years too reveal her in all her beauty. And guess what. She is now MINE.

On a happy note. LotusRescue have had another bit of expansion by having to take on another part of the building, now shed No3. This is to be used as a clean assembly area and the 1st project, an early S1 Esprit already has her chassis in there on stands having just come back from strengthening, blast cleaning and painting with a further S2 and an Elan to follow. Once the projects are built up to rolling shell's, they now go into building No2 for assembly which includes the shells and fitting out. Area 1 now has a nice gantry crane which can travel the length of the building for lifting engines in and out as it can also travers the building. Handy or not, oh yes. Looks like the next 12 months is going to be heads up and ass down with little time for anything else.

So sorry to hear the news Anthony. Please pass our best respects and condolences to Wendy and the rest of the family.

In my opinion. The wrongs will never be righted. Those who now claim they suspected something but didnt stand up at the time are as guilty as any. And as for Fujitsu, well 100% shows money talks. David Boyd. It'll be great too, to fill up my weekend diary with shows and other motoring-related events. I wonder if I can sue for 'emotional distress' over all the days out I had to cancel last year? That's the modern way of doing things after all, isn't it? Now then. Thats another spot confirmed for Glamis. WHOOP, Whoop.

Thanks for the mention Andy. So far I have 4 full resprays booked in for this year. Esprit S2, Esprit S4, Excel SE and an Eclat. Just completed and S1 Esprit, Elan 130+2, Excel SE.

Another happy day for me this week, man, things are flying. My trusty Iveco daily tilt slide recovery truck went for the dreaded HGV, MOT today and as my 1st HGV test I admit, I was bricking it as so much hangs on the fact that she stays fit and on the road. Well she just went and passed. BUT, the DVSA decided to add three advisories. 1/ Very slight weep from the bleed nipple on the fuel filter (i'm sure the guys was looking through a magnifying glass to see it, 2/ The Red and White reflective stripes that run along the length of the leaf which I only just replaced a couple of months back are banned from vehicles from 2011 onwards, fair comment, BUT, my truck is 2005, SO DOES NOT APPLY, and it was the DVSA inspector who told me that after handing me the certificate !!!. 3/ The one I could say would be an advisory, power steering hydraulic hose had become unclipped from the bulkhead ( 2 second job to push it back in) and requires refixing. So for an 18 year old recovery truck that flies up and down the motorway, I'm well chuffed. I'm glad he never checked to see if the speed restrictor had been removed (prior to my ownership I may add) and that's what lets her fly up and down the M9, 73, 74, 8, 6, 4, A1M and everything in between at a nice steady pace. All within current speed limits of course, and most often with one car on the back and another inside the covered trailer giving me a train weight of nearly 9 ton's and hugely reducing costs by doubling up. Next week as a reward she will grace the roads with her very own registration plate. C 10TOS which I've had on retention for a couple of years as a reward. So, if you see a White Iveco recovery truck with stainless steel rear bridge covered in lights sporting the said number plate, give us a toot or a flash, it breaks the boredom on the motorways, if I'm parked up in a carpark, I'm probably having a kip for the permitted 2 hour stop, if that's the case you are excused for staying silent.

Congrats Bibs and pass best wishes to your sister and hubby.

Here's the 1st one for you then Andy. Kettle will be kept close to hand and as long as you can read a schematic/witing diagram/parts lists, your good to go. There is an S2 and an S4 to follow after this one.

Hired Andy. That is if you can accept ultra low wages, working in bloody freezing cold conditions at this time of year. Put up with loads of wind up's and bullshit from the guys next door. Oh, and you have to give the boss the use of your car over the summer FOC of course. The Ice Blue Esprit will be on stand as an ongoing restoration project at one of the UK's largest classic, veteran and vintage car shows in 2024 which of course is Glamis. Get your ass booked in for the weekend. and any others who would like to display there car and support our club. Entry is very cheap for the weekend and we have a great night out on the Saturday. You don't have too attend both days. Bib's, time for you to visit Scotland's beautiful countryside with over 2,000 exhibits.

What made me happy today. Looking back over the last twelve months and realising I haven't had time to update anything on our projects on the forum for a bloody long time. So here's a potted version of this year. 5 Excel's rescued, got up and running and moved on to new enthusiasts for completion. 3 Eclats, as above. 2 Elites as above. 2 M100 Elans. Projects. Excel SE nearing completion then off to France early next year. S1 Esprit. Complete strip down and nut and bolt restoration. Paintwork completed and back from the body shop just last week, chassis repairs all done, chassis blasted, painted and ready to start the rebuild. Box's and box's or parts arriving weekly now although some parts have had huge waiting times. S2 Esprit will be started to in the new year with a partial restoration to be used as a runabout by the owner for the season until the S1 is complete. Esprit 180 engine out ready for a refresh, then a mechanical restoration on all moving parts. Esprit S4 SE completed annual service, clutch issues finally sorted out after a year of experimentation and rectifying another '' specialist's work. Another Excel SE prepped for sale for her owner and now sold on his behalf. Participated in the sale of another M100 for another member where I managed to match a buyer with a seller. Assisted god knows how many people around the globe from Australia, Germany, Quebec, France, Ireland and all over the UK on where to find parts, given pointers on where to find information etc. Covered thousands of miles with the trailer being towed behind the trusty old Volvo XC90, The Iveco Daily tilt slide ( which has been a godsend and saved my lifting heavy ramps) again, covered thousands of miles and some of those with a car on the leaf and another in the trailer being towed behind. Our club, Club Lotus North East Scotland had a fantastic return since Covid to one of the UK's biggest classic, veteran and vintage shows with 40 plus cars on site both on the Saturday and Sunday. 2024 will be our 15th anniversary of the show and it's going to be a cracker with over 40 car's already booked for both days and a promise of a couple of specials to be available on stand. The down side of the year means it's yet another year that my own S3 Turbo Esprit has sat in her bubble waiting for me to get my hands back on her. Next year maybe. I seem to remember the long suffering Mrs saying to me 3 years ago. Retire she say's, you will have more free time for you hobby she say's. Now a kick in the but off 70 and no bloody chance of that. In fact, looking to get a BIGGER shed lol. Ah well, saves may going to the pub.

Every news channel is now political driven, so no longer listen or watch it.

Any, if you need someone to come down and take the cars out to stretch their legs as it were. Just give me a shout. Good fellow countrymen and all that. Cant have another Lotus owner see his car's suffer.

It's for sale.

Yep, at least one of you Southerner's have had the good sense to pay a visit to god's country. Don't worry Barry. You will be made more than welcome tomorrow when we meet up for breakfast, spend day one at the show. Then of course a bit of Scottish hospitality on Saturday night. Then day 2 at the show which will be exhausting as usual. With plenty too see and do. over 2,000 exhibits and we are due a visit from the camera man. Mr J Emm no less. 2 ready and another 40+ too follow tomorrow. From early Europa's to the very latest Emira's. Nice selection for anyone to view. If your in the area, feel free to pop in past. If you speak to the Mrs nicely, you might even get a T or a coffee.

Would need to reduce to1750 for me. Door beams, window frames for starters, then front bumper.

I know Gordon's car very well and he only lives about 40 minutes from me. As for Lotus Yellow, my best ever S3 N/A was Yellow with the dark Red interior and that was a stunning car.