GavinT

Found the info. E is federal. Got confused with the H on the esprit being federal cars.

hi all, Found a 79 Eclat, chassis # 79110386E. Can anyone tell me what region E denotes - Europe ?. Also engine # is 07791017349. Interestingly, it has fuel injection. Cheers.

One of the biggest things I miss is tinkering. I loved getting my hands dirty and felt such a feeling of accomplishment after a job was done. Even if it was a pain and a knuckle buster. Hell, my first ever solo timing belt change was on 165H. Never felt so afraid when I turned the key for the first time but that quickly went away and was replaced by a big grin when she fired right up.

The chap I sold 165H to I think will be holding on to her for a long while, unless something really unforeseen happens. He had studied automotive design in his youth and the S1 was always his favorite design. He's not mechanically inclined so the maintenance costs of paying someone for every little thing might wear him down, but he certainly wasn't short of a penny or two. I really didn't factor in how much personally the car meant too me. My mileage over the last couple of years was less than 500 a year and I figured that was way too low to really miss driving her. I think there are many on this forum that have made the mistake and now I know first hand what that regret feels like. It's spilt milk now so I shall not dwell but look forward to the next one. I'm not so looking forward to the vetting process though, as so many cars are missrepresented.

I never trusted the 'clip' that came originally on the car. So just like Iain, I added some wire as an extra precaution.

I think next time around I will look at a later model Esprit. Either a G Turbo or a Stevens. I'd really like an S3 N/A but not available here in the States. I love the simplicity of the engineering on the S1/S2 but am all too familiar with the early models shortcomings. I think a later car, being better engineered will be somewhat easier to live with. In no rush but the search begins.

I've learnt my lesson. In the future when it comes to things automotive I SHALL NEVER BE SENSIBLE OR MATURE.

Hi all, It's been about four months since I waived goodbye to 165H and I really miss her. I did good things with the money from the sale ...paid down some debt and expanded my business....but doing the 'mature' thing has left me unsatisfied. Although I didn't drive her much, I was proud to be her owner. The rush when I opened the garage door is gone. It sounds stupid to say 'I am still in mourning' but I think I really am. 165H will never be mine again but I feel that I will need to fill the void sometime soon. Life really is too short. In the meantime I shall take pleasure from your sharing on this forum. Cheers to all. Gavin.

Today is loading day. Somber moments cleaning out the shelves in the garage of all the pits that go with the car.

Our house is a 1910 cottage in the historic area of Rapid City. Our rate this year is $1650. The house is about 1300 sq ft.

It was a tough choice to make. The S1 requires such devotion to keep in the best of health. It was always a pleasure to keep her running as sweet as I could. Loved to balance and play with the carbs. As I travel so much I really need turn key and drive fun, so perhaps an Evora would be more suited. An Elise / Exige is just way too small. I shall keep the faith.

It's been almost six years to the day that I took possession of 165H. Unfortunately during the last few years the car has sat and really not done much at all. I believe that these cars should be driven, seen and shared. As always life gets in the way. So with a heavy heart I made the decision to pass custodianship of 165H on to someone with more time and resources than I have. 165H is being delivered next week to it's new owner and I know he will be active on this site, so the car's story will continue for all to follow. So from me, it's a huge thank you to all for sharing in the highs and lows of the last six years. Especially Tony K. It's been a pleasure and a honor to have been part of the Lotus Esprit S1 ranks and Lotus ownership in general. I'm still going to hangout and follow the site but I'll be in the wings and keeping a very low profile. No new car in the future to speak of yet but I'm sure I'll be back in a Lotus again. So thanks again. Cheers, Gav.

If you tried to start it after you jumped the teeth on the cam you might have a mess on your hands. The 907 engine is an interference engine and it doesn't take more than 3 or 4 teeth out to get valve damage. Fingers crossed it is ok. You should get the workshop manual and follow the factory service procedures. Just diving in with a wrench in hand could result in a disaster and has been the ruin of many a Lotus. Best tool to purchase, if not already equipped, is a torque wrench. Follow the factory specs as it's really easy to over torque and break things.

That does sound way too coincidental. Mistakes can and do happen in re-assembly.

I'm thinking the same as John....timing belt jumped. Best of luck Gordon. Keeping everything crossed it's relatively simple and inexpensive.

Amazing.....I always wonder what mindset you must have to abandon a car just because it has 'minor issues'.

Yep, as Iain suggests. Grap the volt meter and start testing the wiring from power source to fans. Eventually you will find the break. If you have power all the way to the fans then it will be the ground to the fans.

So what do we think of the Tasmin FHC, not the convertible, from a design stand point. Obviously Mr. Winterbottom did them all. I've alway always liked the FHC, the large glass hatch and the stubby rear end. Granted TVR missed the boat on the 'wedge' design by about 5 years but I think if you look at it with 70s eyes it's another cool 70s car. Or really is it just a rip off Lotus. Granted most of the suspension engineering is pulled straight from the Elite/Eclat, especially the rear. Personally I think it would make a pretty good stable mate to the Esprit/Éclat/Elite. Here's a link to a 1982 one... http://hooniverse.com/2013/02/02/weekend-edition-1982-tvr-tasmin-200i/ Should I now go wash my mouth out with soapy water?

They make these in Fort Worth TX. My company sometimes transports them up to Boeing in Seattle. In fact we are picking a load of them up this afternoon. What's cool, is that sometimes we get to park the truck along side the plane being built in the factory for the unload. If they do this when we make the delivery on Thursday I'll ask if I can take a photo. It's a fun thing to see.

Car was sold before I could complete all my research. Car had been on axle stands for 4 years with ALL the fluids drained out apart from the brake fluid.

I think it is interesting that some are now grouping the S1 with the Countach when talking about iconic 70s Sportscars.

For assessing the value of your car, try speaking with Scott Walker. http://scottwalkers.co.uk I understand he's a nice chap and very helpful.

Of the 718 ( there is conflicting data as factory records are not totally consistent ) S1s produced roughly half went to the USA. There are lots of forgotten abondoned S1s dotted about the place, globally speaking. Those that are running and in OK condition I would say about 100. Of those in nice shape and need nothing but regular maintenance I would say 50. Fully restored garbage queens - very very few, less than 15. I'm basing this on the S1 chat on TLF and the Yahoo group. So the S1 one is rare, very rare. Rare unfortunately doesn't mean high dollar value. Different markets yield different sales prices. The USA is probably the weakest market. The VARI process I think was first used on the Elite (70s). Don't you just pay tax on the purchase price when converted into GRP?. Here in the US it's a straight 2.5% on what the invoice/receipt says.

It's a wise precaution to check for leaks after the fuel pump has primed the carbs and before starting the engine. Check again when your done for the day.

I'm waiting for some info from the seller so will post if anything progresses.