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On a serious note: I will have 5 sunday tickets (from purchasing the weekend passes) that I'd like to give away to fellow TLF'ers. Driving back to Germany takes most part of a day, which is why we usually have left FOS on Sunday morning. Means if anybody wants to go on Sunday only, it would be a pleasure to send over the ticket or meet at the entrance before we leave.

Coming all the way from Germany if the travel / quarantine / vaccination game plays in our favour. Still have a bunch of tickets from 2020. i'll be there with a group of friends all weekend on the campsite near to the main entrance. My plan was to take my Jeep Wrangler w. rooftop tent but since Lotus is now in the spotlight I might have to bring one. Just not the perfect car to camp in for 4 days 🤣

Thanks, yes ... it's still an occassion to drive the car! The suspension is still mind blowing, as is the sound. ☺️ The guys at my local detailing company were surprised when they started her up to move around at their company and heard the rev-up. They thought Lotus only has 2liter engines and were a bit shocked to hear it is a 3.5 + compressor. 😆

I'm tempted as well. The idea of a more "modern" style is what tickles my interest. Also, what about rumours of Merc engines being used (read that on Pistonheads)? I really like the Evija styling and my dealer told me the 131 should be more daily/comfortable than the Evora. He used the words "a mix of Vantage, F-Type and Evija" 🧐 Not sure if he was talking about market segments because two of those are clearly front-engine based. Also, I heard that they are going to upcycle the Evora platform for it?!

Yes, you´re all totally right. It is definitely pointless. I was probably just looking for a bit of emotional support and assurance that it wasn´t the german TÜV (MOT equivalent if I am correct) that took some BHPs away on the last inspection In any case, it should be about the joy of driving your own car and not so much about the comparison with others...

Hu, he was successful at that

Good morning all, I know that this is a controversial story and excuse myself already right now for the schoolboy-ish perspective I might have. Also, disclaimer - what I am about to talk about happened on the famously unrestricted part of the german Autobahn. No, it really did...not just saying this to protect myself from the german law enforcement (but they probably don´t read UK forums anyhow). So, yesterday afternoon I took the Evora GT430 Sport out - the sun was shining and I was driving down said Autobahn on the left lane (the one where you go fast over here), waiting for some traffic to clear up in front of me at a safe distance. Once the lane was empty, I floored the pedal in third gear and kept going. I immediately noticed another car behind me, far too close in my opinion, it´s never a good idea to not keep at least _some_ distance to the car in front. In fact, I was barely able to see the lights of the car (not just because of the horrible visibility in the mirror :D). Ok, someone wanted to race. That happens when you drive an exotic sports car. So I kept the pedal down, crossed 200km/h and the car was still VERY close. At around 250km/h I was gaining some ground and I did not want to push further, so I went to the right lane and off the pedal, letting the guy pass. I already said - I don´t like if people "race" on the streets, especially if they nearly touch your rear fender, that is an absolute no-no. And it was not my decision, but yes - I kept accelerating when I could have gone to the right lane immediately to not fuel his intention. But that´s not the topic - my question is... should a Lotus Evora GT430 Sport not be much quicker than a Seat Leon Cupra? I was a bit disappointed to be honest, yes - I know that on a track, with the right amount of corners and a much better driver than I am it would not even be close. And I also know that the Evora is not "fast" for it´s power figures. But that was a bit of a shock. Sure, you never know if that Cupra was not tuned with a bigger turbo etc... but I am keen to hear your opinions. Again - I don´t approve street racing and did not do anything in advance other than driving an exotic car 😊

I was just about to post that link but thought its a good idea to search if anyone has already posted it. Your videos are pieces of art, some of the finest on Youtube! Also lovely to see you put so much effort into the Esprit. Watching the video made me realise how much I already miss good weather, less travel restrictions and most of all road trips!

Thank you very much, Paul and Dave! Very helpful info and glad to hear that he won't have to get the whole engine out. @Paul Coleman when you say I should not get the poly mounts - what is the alternative? I've always just seen polymer mounts as spare parts. Was aware of the exhaust heat issue and was planning to install a heat shield.

Dear forum, i searched and found helpful informations regarding the engine stabilisers to get rid of the forces the engine is putting on the rubber mounts in cornering and also found the heat shield. But now I am in a situation that my Esprit S1 requires new rubber mounts and I´d like to use the nasty winter to get them replaced. Being based in Germany, there are only a few "specialists" around that have experience with working on Esprits. And all of them are a couple of hours away from where I am based. I was lucky to find a small historic car garage that specialises in UK manufacturers and is often working on Jags, Rolls, Bentley etc. He´s also not afraid of working on the Esprit, but has never done the engine mount swap. Does anyone have any hands-on tipps that I can forward to him before bringing my car over? E.g. is this definitely a task where the engine has to be removed? I would also ask him to build me one of the stabilisers mentioned in the thread here, or is it easier to buy a kit from somewhere (SJ, ...? ) He will also then swap the timing belt and all other parts that are typically aging. Anything else to keep an eye on? Thanks for your hints in advance!!

Thanks, again! Tomorrow is collection day. Leaving home at 5:30am with a trailer to pick her up. More pics to come. Ha! That's a coincidence. I think yellow works really well on the S1y You have a slightly different bumper setup - federal I guess, also judging by the number plate. Mine had a four-tip exhaust at some point in the past and a previous owner made a nasty second cutout. 😩 Glad it ended up being symetric enough.

Thanks for the nice words, Bibs and Justin! I can't wait.... my plan is to pick it up by trailer next week. It could theoretically drive, but it wasn't used much in the last year and its a 500km drive. My plan is to get it checked first before I'll take her on such a long trip. A few months ago I was planning another NC500 trip this year but due to all these crazy events I might skip it and wait for 2021 instead. Not sure which one to take then, some of the roads up there make me prefer the comfort ride of the Esprit over the pretty hard ride in the GT430. We'll see ...

Thanks Lotusman! Yes, I personally like the look of the Speedlines. But having a set of Wolfrace rims would also be nice (anyone selling a set? I know how rare they are. Another teaser before I'll share more images: The owner has fitted the Panasonic RM-610 that came with the Essex Turbos into it! Again - does historically not "belong" into the S1, but really cool!

Hello all, some may have met me with my Evora GT430 Sport at 70 years Hethel (I have fond memories of the time when it was okay to travel...especially for joy!). While I have not been very active on TLF, I did not stop thinking about the cars. Today I signed a deal to buy a restored 1977 S1 Esprit (sorry - LHD, I am still in Germany ). My goal is to make it a drivers car and not garage / showroom / collectors queen. As you will notice, the wheels are not "correct" (as well as a couple of other parts) but the overall condition is excellent (from what I know so far). Frame has been fully restored, car has been repainted (was red originally) and a lot of the important mechanical components have been swapped. Interior re-bolstered (the green-ish/yellow-brown combo had to go for black /black). Engine runs well, the pace was a surprise for a 160bhp car. But the biggest grin was caused by the sound of it! Such a naughty growl from the open K&Ns right behind your head! My GT430 sounds amazing, but I am tempted to prefer the voice of this little 2.0! 😎 The car is still with the old owner but will be picked up next week and brought back to its new home. One photo as a teaser, I hope that I wont have to ask for too much help (and therapy?) around here 😅

Hi guys! I can also confirm, got PS VR and it is worth the money. I am not playing that much, but Firewall Zero Hour is really good (besides the waiting times between the rounds). If we find two more, we could form a team! 😬

@PaulCP Thx, good hint! Will definitely do next time! Ferry companies have a „lowered car“ category and I was surprised that the tunnel operates don‘t have that.

We‘ve just arrived in Maidstone for the night break before we head super early tomorrow morning towards Hethel. 1,5hrs traffic jam in Belgium... Friday afternoon driving fun! Any meet ups or convoys towards the festival site that we can join? We plan to arrive at around 8am in Hethel (so we can get to the club stand before the festival opens) which means we will leave Maidstone at around 6am 😵 Looking forward to finally meet you guys in person! (Photo attached - GT430 Sport on the tunnel. I was slightly worried about getting my first scratch in the rims!)

What, does actually no one else around have a _Sport_?

Tickets and sticker arrived! Thanks a lot!

Okay, I‘ve checked the calendar and more than happy to attend with the GT430 Sport. i would need two tickets, happy to pay for them as well. Will also appreciate recommendations for hotels / appartments nearby for Fri - Sun. Thanks!!

Does anyone from Germany plan to go? I‘m thinking of leaving on the 28th and am happy to join a group of people towards the ferries / the tunnel.

I absolutely love the idea and was considering attending, have to check my calendar! Thanks a lot for organising it, @Bibs

Thanks Scotty! Say hi if you‘re around as well Yes, it was quite a trip and only the second time a looong drive for the car. I‘ve spend most miles on the way to the Eifel area and around the Ring (only a few miles actually on the Ring...) on weekends so far. Getting some coffee and then queuing up for the gates to open soon.

We successfully made it to Campsite H after leaving this morning at 6:30am from Germany. Nice drive in beautiful weather, looking forward to the festival opening tomorrow!