ElliotAU

Haha, it's definitely steering in that direction. Will have a better idea after a few weeks of inspecting, (shipping company has told me it's due to arrive tomorrow)

Thanks Paul, I've added them to my shopping list... which is building quite rapidly now. I'm scared to find out what they'll sting me for shipping for all this haha.

Thanks Dave, SJ don't seem to specify if it's for an S1 or S2, Are these the correct number plate lamps? https://www.sjsportscars.com/parts-and-accessories/SJ075M0001.htm https://www.sjsportscars.com/parts-and-accessories/A075M0256Z.htm Yes, there's definitely no chrome around the windows, I believe the chrome trim on the interior is also missing (likely removed when it was re-upholstered in leather many many years ago) So I'll eventually be hunting for those too Elliot.

I've just added the number plate and tail light recess panels and brackets to my ever growing SJ shopping cart. In the photo of the number plate panel, there are two holes, are these for number plate lights? If so, are they the same as the ones that are mounted to the bumper on the S2? Or will I need to buy a new set? Thanks Elliot

Hi Lotusman33 Missed the second message there. You have a good eye. I hadn't noticed that the tail lights were installed to close to the edges. Hopefully that means the holes underneath aren't too butchered up. Will see I guess. Handy about the Fiat lights, I didn't realize that either so that part shouldn't be too hard to find locally. I'm thinking along the same lines as you. I've got some mechanical work to do first up, worst of it will be a new clutch, though it may just be binding up somewhere, hard to tell by the small amount I drove it. But once its mechanically sorted, I'll probably do the tail lights and number plate surround panel, have the wheels stripped and powdercoated in some sort of chrome..esk coating and maybe do the front spoiler work. (I may wait to do the front spoiler at the same time as removing the sunroof since it will need respraying after that. The most annoying thing on the whole car I've noticed is the copious amounts of excess silicon/sikaflex that's around the black trim piece. In my experience its near impossible to remove without damaging the paint. Anyone know of any magic products or methods for safely removing? Thanks Elliot

Hi Paul, Yeah, I was thinking that if the s2 front valance wasn't factory than the guards would have had to have been chopped up. (once the car is delivered I'll pull it off and have a look) I'm fairly confident that I'll be able to reconstruct those bottom guard pieces with out a mold. (I've done minimal fibreglass work myself, but I've constructed more complex pieces out of steel for past projects) Unfortunately it does have the dreaded aftermarket sunroof, though I will be leaving it until I have the funds to retro-fit AC in the car. OZ gets mighty hot so the extra ventilation wont be complained about for now. It will need a new paint job at some stage as there are a few places around the car that have stress cracking in the glass/paint work. Not bad, but since it's spread over so many places its worth doing a whole respray. (unsure if I'll go back to original bronze or not) seems it's changed colours a few times in its life, bronze to red to white. But I'll save the paintwork till after I get AC so I can do the roof repair prior to paint. Thanks Elliot Hi Lotusman33 Yeah, its beginning to look that way. I'm not worried about the work, more just didnt want to change things if they were actually meant to be that way and since I'm so new to the lotus world I wanted more knowledgeable minds than my own to steer me in the right direction. Not as though the newer Esprits were bad looking, but it will be nice to get it back to spec at some point. Thanks Elliot

Thanks Bibs, I’ll send Matt a message once I’ve finished making a list of what I need.

Hi DrDoom Thanks for the welcome. yes, the lack of air vent fins and I think also the bumpers are still s1. So you think that potentially mine came from the factory with multiple s2 parts, despite being an s1? I do believe the radiator is as you say, but i know the PO recently replaced it before I purchased, so hard to know if it’s been changed with a like for like. Mirrors are definitely aftermarket, but I’ll be on the hunt for a set of original mirrors to replace them with. Elliot.

Thanks Neil. Yes, both that data base and the other one both show it’s an S1. The other one is a bit more complete and has matching engine number etc too. http://www.holycows.net/Lotus/Lotus Esprit Serial Numbers (S1&S2 1977-1980) - Pictures.htm I guess what I’m really looking to find out is if any of the late s1’s (mine is February 1978) came out of the factory with S2 parts? I don’t want to go changing things if it’s meant to look like that. I’ve read other people call the 78 model S1’s, an S1.5? They’re not very specific as to why they’re calling them an S1.5 though. Surely something must have been different to warrant the unofficial title? hoping someone in the know can clear it up for me. Thanks Elliot

Thanks Filip, glad to be here. I've dreamed of owning an Esprit for a long time so I truly am glad to be here haha. Yes, definitely has a lot of S2 parts, making it look like an S2... almost. Chassis number is saying it's an S1 though. I'm guessing at some point in it's ownership its had the S2 parts added, but I just want to make sure before I start trying to hunt down all the S1 parts. The wheels specifically seem like they'll be an expensive nightmare to track down haha. Hopefully someone very knowledgeable will come along to guide me. Elliot

Hey guys, I've only just joined as I've very recently joined the ranks of Esprit ownership. I'm in Australia and managed to get myself an.... S1??? to re-commission / restore. The car presents reasonably well for a 45 year old car, though the interior is definitely not factory and is in dire need of repair. The rest should just be general recommissioning as its only been driven in and out of a garage occasionally in the last 20 years. I bought from out of state ( I did fly over and pickup personally and drop it at the transport depot) But while I wait for its arrival I'm creating the shopping list and familiarizing myself with all I can in anticipation. Now, the car is a 1978 and is listed as an S1 on data bases as well as by the chassis number - 78020354G But looking at it, it has quite a few bits that to me look like S2. I'm only new to the Esprit world so I thought I'd post and see if the brains trust could enlighten me a bit. From what I can see, wheels are S2, front valance is s2, tail lights and surrounds are s2, the rest looks like s1 to me? But given that its a 1978 so very last of the S1's did some of the come with S2 parts from the factory or should I be looking for S1 parts to return it to original? I've attached some photos of the car. Also, does anyone know where I can buy a replacement mirror from? You'll see half of one is missing in the photos.