DaKa

I concur, a strange looking jacked up suspension indeed. Someone has perhaps fitted coil-overs and wasn't sure of the standard ride height.

Thanks gents, your comments are much appreciated. My delve into Porsche ownership will be short-lived as my 2001 Carrera C4 is not ULEZ compliant. I know that the various schemes to get us off the roads will be everywhere soon, killing the modern classic market. ULEZ, Road Tax, LTNs, Insurance hikes, Cameras, Petrol duty, etc. all prompt me to go old school and avoid a few of the Eco-zealot's plans for us. I'll let you know if I find anything suitable with a Lotus badge or decide to emigrate together with my combustion engine.

As a guide for an uninitiated 60's Elan buyer, may I presume that the spider chassis is 'after-market' meaning the car has lost the core of its originality and therefore a devaluing factor for most buyers? Should originality be a concern for investment purposes or is it also an important consideration for the driving experience? My head is telling me that this car should be < £20k, but I guess that I need to take a look and check the condition of the bits that you can't see.

I've been without a Lotus for a couple of years now and miss it badly. I've never owned an Elan 2+2 but have owned a 1990 Elan M100, 1984 Excel SE and 1988 Esprit X180 (non-turbo). Of them all, I wish I'd held on to my Excel as I liked the practicality, rarity, black paint and oxblood red leather interior which was a great combination. I'm asking here your opinion on the following Ebay item that I know the current owner sourced from 'Fairmount, in Hutton' a fairly new classic car trader near me that normally stocks quality cars. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/326053828858 The quality, in my opinion, is generally 20-25% over priced at Fairmount, but I don't object to them earning a crust. Do you concur with me that this is a decent example to buy but over-priced? I'm guessing that the seller is trying to recoup the trader's premium that he paid 18 months ago? Thxs

It was few years back, but having wasted a lot of time (and money) trying to resolve rear caliper problems, I simply upgraded to new Brembo from PNM together and new disc and braided cable that came with the kit. Yes, it will set you back circa £900, but you'll likely get something back for the old ones. What price is worth safe braking?

Was curious to see if my old X180 had a valid MOT, but the plate no longer exists F280 SBE according to DVLA. Perhaps this means it was sold and the new owner had a plate he preferred? Would be good to know its still together.

Having seen on the TV recently putting a Tesla motor into a Delorean, it seems that the same would surely fit into an Esprit. I'd be keen to hear about anyone trying this on a decent Esprit body where their engine and gearbox was broken. They would need to get the speakers inside to recreate the wonderful noise of course!

What happens to these crystals if they are warmed (say place your red plastic dish into a larger bowl of boiling water like you're melting chocolate)? If they dissolve and become fluid again you are probably not going to have to drain and refill.

Last reduction before Ebay - it seems most members have the spares they need already.

Reduced again - will keep reducing until sold.

Thanks Filip, I'll find a home for these bits hopefully if nobody wants them here - I'm going to keep reducing the price until someone asks.

Hi FFM, I'm hoping that someone can use some of the parts I'm clearing away now that my 1988 Esprit has gone. I've put the details of the parts for sale link shown: https://www.lotusforsale.com/ads/stevens-esprit-x180-garage-clearance/ If any existing members in Essex or near enough to make the trip to my home CM13 2SF are interested please send a message and we can agree a deal that suits you.

Hi FFM, I'm hoping that someone can use some of the parts I'm clearing away now that my 1988 Esprit has gone. I've put the details of the parts for sale link shown: https://www.lotusforsale.com/ads/stevens-esprit-x180-garage-clearance/ If any existing members in Essex or near enough to make the trip to my home CM13 2SF are interested please send a message and we can agree on a good deal for you. Sorry moderator if I should have posted this elsewhere!

Interesting, they are looking for a quick return then I guess with minimal investment - good luck to them. Whoever buys it will not have to do too much to keep enjoying it - they may of course have already quickly attended to the imperfections. If any forum members are thinking to buy and have questions about the car I'll try and help.

It was my Lotus that sold here - I let it go fairly cheaply in the end to some newbie traders from Watford who plan to address the few paint imperfections and do it up for sale early next year - no doubt they will turn a decent profit. I do have a shelf full of parts that due to the sale price I kept, some new like handbrake cables and some old like rear brake calipers/discs to find a good home for. I'll be detailing what I've got and placing it here for members to find first. I'm now Lotusless but I'm sure it won't be too long before I buy something else - perhaps I'll buy my old M100 back as my wife actually liked that one!