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Though different, the S1 gear lever gaiter/window switch panel has four unsightly screws holding it to the centre console. However I found it didn't need them in my car, as you state, the fascia panel on the radio-cassette holds it in place and it's a snug fit.

That street hasn't changed too much, apart from no parking.

It won't be for a professional trimmer. The dashboard ends where the interior light switches in the door jam are similar tight curves, with parallel red stitching on the Esprit S1. However, as I've stated previously the selection of a finishing material and the underlying scrim thickness is imperative in achieving the tight curves required on such interior pieces. Many trimmers make the mistake of overfilling the covering, which results in "pillowing" and bad fit.

There would be. It's the stuff that sometimes turns to gold sand and dust. Some parts of the interior may not have scrim foam, such as thr binnacle, but anything that has any give will.

My pal in the States has just had his seats from a beige and brown Marcasite interior repaired to great effect. I advised retaining the generally unreproducible high frequency welded ribbed seat swabs and headrests, which the trimmer was able to do. I know that this material is also available in black. All torn material was replaced and has resulted in very original looking seats. A fantastic job that retains not just these very specific features, but prevents interior detail and relief from being obliterated which often results in a very bland effect. No matter how expensive the replacement material may be. Sadly damaged Marcasite remains the problem, as previously sourced replacements appear to be no longer available.

In the UK. This was a Federal car. The US introduced catalytic converters in 1975.

Yes, I think that would be a good idea. I don't see the rush. Though I'm not sure of @drdoom's trimmer is in a rush either 😆 Often the way. Mine was done over 12 months. Due to a number of circumstances I left the interior to the very last thing I did. I even drove the car with only the minimum of original interior installed to snag test, whilst saving up the funds to complete.

Backed with what? As I've said, you need the thinnest available, which may be too thick anyway. Marcasite was quite thin, and pliable. At least in one orientation. There are other options available rather than running to Alcantara. Ferrari Dinos used something often called "mouse fur" for instance. And this would work. Which I understand is not specifically Alcantara.

No worries, a minor detail. I'm not sure about the doors. My door cards are covered in fabric, with an underlying scrim foam. I assume that the locator holes align in the lower front and back for the retainers? If so, then the door cards are seated correctly. I know Turbo Esprits, and probably S3s, with leather interiors were actually oddly a mix of leather and vinyl. I think the lower door halves were vinyl. Added lightness or shiteness, you decide 😆 I'm wondering whether your door cards have been covered with a material thicker than original, or more likely that the scrim foam is a little too thick. As it is often the case that modern trimmers select a far too thick a scrim than originally used. Resulting in the "pillowing" of interiors. Often seen on the glovebox lid or armrest. If the outer face of the door card covering is a little too deep perhaps it's rubbing against the door aperture rubber seal? Is the door latch and plastic trim surrounds fitted tightly? They bring the centre of the door card towards the door structure ie outwards direction when the door is closed.

Just so you know, as easily changed if desired, the carpet on the rear quarterlight shelves didn't have a cutout for the seatbelt mounts, but were completely covered. The carpet being glued down up to about half way. The remaining just rested on top of the shelf.

Speak to a good trimmer, ideally one with knowledge of these interiors, and explain they need to retain the centre panels and headrests. I'm pretty sure those seats could be carefully repaired. My advice is to contact West Country Trimmers. I'm also convinced that the new chrome trim currently available from SJ Sportscars is not quite the same profile as the original, which looks more box-like.

But not from new I can guarantee it!

@ChrisJ what @drdoomsays. The fabric gear stick gaiter, certainly on the early G-Esprits should form a cuff.

That is the one downside of black. Perhaps a fortunate accident that the black Marcasite fades to quite a nice green. Black carpets show less dirt though. I bought some very nice Lotus emblemed and shaped floor mats to cover the orange carpet of the S1 which would be even worse in showing dirt.

Yes, I agree. Careful choice of differing materials (2) help provide just enough contrast to prevent the interior becoming a velvet cocoon.

Is that the Alcantara your trimmer has found @drdoom? It looks good. The negative curve of the lower part of the 'A' pillar is a tricky transition to trim. Though not as complex as the binnacle. Perhaps similar with a slightly contrasting seat, armrest, bulkhead, headlining and door card insert could work @Rolls? Personally I would stay clear of a one colour option. It is a pity we're so limited in choices.

That looks like a very good attempt at keeping the interior as close to the original as possible, given the materials available. Obviously the brown and half cream leather option on the S1 and S2s etc. Any idea what was used to replace the Marcasite? Pity the choke lever wasn't fitted as standard. It can be an awkward culprit. It is normally held from underneath the trim. I think the gear stick cuff is also a major feature of the Esprit. You see a lot of American cars which have it arranged in a more usual cone shape, when it should be folded back on itself. An odd arrangement, but one that works and a small thing that sets the car apart from all the others I feel. The gunmetal cars were all black inside, though two different materials, which can be a bit overwhelming in such a small cabin. But having a black exterior the interior can't really be brown sadly. That would be a clash. I can email you some photos that I have which may help, as I can no longer post photos on here. It's a tricky problem I admit. Where the yellow S2.2 interior I posted above fails is that it has not retained the very features that make the Esprit interior what it is. The seats are badly trimmed and look baggy and saggy. The glove box lid seems to have been deleted, or is poorly defined. And most importantly, the chrome trim has no been installed. For me, losing the brightwork and the high frequency welded features in the seats, and arm rest are a real deal breaker.

I'll have a think abd contact my trimmer to see what he suggests. I need to call him anyway. Have you seen the other S2 restoration thread that's just appeared? Similar discussion. I'm pretty good at visualising ideas as I work in the creative industries, but some are less so inclined. Here's an S2 up for sale here which has had to be retrimmed. It may help you decide. Personally I do not like it, as it's very drab. https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/771289667696050/

The foam is no longer available, especially of these early seats. However eroded or collapsed foam can be inserted, and reshaped, but this would require the removal of the seat cover where the damage is. It's a tricky situation if retaining as much originality as possible. Often swapping the seats left to right helps preserve the driver's seat which has very likely got the most wear and tear.

If retaining the Marcasite, just don't disturb it all. It's glued to the scrim foam underneath and it tears easily in its aged state. The nylon can be carefully peeled back and retentioned as @JonSEsaid. En voilà! You have an original looking 1970's cool.

Looking good @Gis

Having done a complete restoration of an S1 (it's documented in the restoration threads somewhere) I would suggest, given your intentions, to concentrate on the running gear, engine and transmission. These will give you the biggest gains possible, both in reliability and fun. The relatively puny 2.0L engine is hugely helped by superb road holding and the lightweight construction. Making it a brisk and exciting car to drive. Once rebuilt get it set up professionally with the correct specs and it'll be a joy to drive. If it retains the original shock absorbers, which were often blue and made by Armstrong, these will often be superior to aftermarket coil overs from the usual suppliers. And provide the car with the ride and handling that Lotus intended. Not that it might be important to you, but spending money on a retrim and respray etc will quickly blow the value of the car, and as you state, may not be necessary. Depending upon when it left the production line, it will be worth improving the electrics of the cooling and electric windows by adding additional relays that the early S2s and S1s didn't have. Upgrading the radiator to a triple core and fitting modern cooling fans will be a huge improvement to its driveability too. It will be interesting to read about your progress and thoughts on the process.

The difference is that you can repaint the exterior of a car and it will be identical to when it came off the production line. However as I have stated previously, this is not the case with the Marcasite interiors, where the material and its treatment is not replicable. Without seeing the cabin of this car in detail it's difficult to say in this case whether the interior condition could be sympathetically restored, but I suspect it can be. However, if the Marcasite has simply faded and is otherwise complete it could be considered patina, and not necessarily wear and tear. In fact the green is not at all unpleasant. In fact I would say it is preferable to an all black interior, which in a small cabin could be overpowering. Definitely in a car without AC in the height of summer. If you understand the classic car market at all you'll appreciate that originality is the most sought after. In the case of Esprit S2s I've seen quite a few over the last 8 years, and the ones that are valued the most all have original interiors. There are another two up for sale currently, both at the upper end of the S2 price range. That speaks for itself.

Ultimately, keeping it original as you can is where the value is.

The interior looks original and almost complete. Marcasite interiors are usually too far gone to save, and the material is no longer available. The London-based company liquidating in the 1990's. The nearest substitutes are also seemingly difficult to obtain also. My advice would be to have the seats professionally repaired as best as you can. The black nylon used on the seats, bulkhead, headlining etc is available. However the high frequency welded seams are not. Certainly not in the UK. So it would be worth saving those sections. I would refrain from dying the green Marcasite black, as this tends to end up crusty and loses it's original feel.