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Flippin' eck was that 14 years ago!?! 😲

I remember you telling me and Paul Dewey about it there Steve. Not sure if I've ever added this one but this photo was taken by Graham Arnold at Hethel about 25 years ago for the Club Lotus magazine. That's me with my great friend Paul Dewey and 017. A great friend sadly missed........................ Incidentally 017 very nearly went back to its original buyer from 1980 who now lives in Australia and I was in contact with but the import taxes proved just too costly. Note Paul ever the Lotus / F1 aficionado with his Lotus F1 Tommy Hilfiger Polo!

I have it down as being the Homologation Car for Japan. MODS - should we merge this thread with the Essex images one as there are so many great photos being added?

017 was sold. Some of you know I was heavily associated with the car for around 20 years or so. It went via a private sale but out of respect to the Dewey family and the new owners I'll let them make themselves known if they want to and are here.

Was that at Barry Ely's Steve? I know from experience with 017 that they did not all have the exact same spec. As has been discussed before it tended to be whatever was on the track on the day was fitted to the car. The Essex cam-covers are a classic example of that.

As I understand it (so happy to be corrected!) the suspension change to the later G cars coincided with the use of Toyota components and factory modification to maximise optimum handling - hence why the facotory do not recommend lowering................. But agree the earlier cars look better - the original promo shots of the Essex cars look so exotic but I think I read these were done deliberately and the car was not practical driving wise in that setup - That said it'll be the one mod I do if I ever get around to returning by 87 G to the road!

008 then?

How recent was that about 003? Would love to see restored photos in Hong Kong!

Yes listed as in Japan after being sold by someone called Paul Johnson?

Dave FRP244 is LHD 029 but its in Sweden not France. I think that was the car that used to drive to the Lotus Show in Donnington every year. Hew Dundas to still around I think - this is him off FB on the right back in the day with the DK Engineering run 308 GT4 racer - I think he had something to do with DK at one point (co-owner?)

And 019 went to Bugatti Fashions, Kensington, London new via Broadway Motors dealer but not seen or heard of since.

I have that 015 was originally purchased by H Dundas - there's every likelihood that with the unusual surname and that Registration that was very likely to have been Hugh Dundas who was a well known Lamborghini and Supercar buyer - certainly in the 80's. I know he used to own a red Miura SV reg.HRD41 For 009 I have the car went to Kuala Lumpur yes and was purchased new by a Mr Metribian via the Norfolk Motor Company? Mark at Stocks had 005 in 2018 - it was previously in France.

Great info Henry. These were way ahead of their time and super-cool. Anything with lights on in the 80's seemed amazing - especially Graphic equalisers! Not sure when this was up for sale but it was listed for £5k and sold(!!) and as per Henry's research its not even suitable for the Esprit even though it was listed as for a Lotus?! https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C991059 Possibly the coolest Car stereo system ever and looks good even today! I'm sure I read that the Essex spec was selected especially by David Thieme himself - some would argue about his style given his appearance but the chap certainly had taste - and money for a while! I think as an option they were well over £1k even back in the early 80's for a car stereo!!! Probably why they had to cheapen the Esprit post Essex period with the likes of these fitted / Sundym glass etc BTW Henry I'm sure Essex No.17 owned by my mate and which I used / had access to often had the Graphic Equaliser built in so would have been the RM610-E? I have a copy of the original sales invoice from new and nothing on there states it was added as an option over the RM610?

£90K for a Mini!!!!

That Allegro estate looks like a Hearse! Sooo much glass.......... I have MPW75V as being Passed to Sale (leaving the factory) on 4th June 1980. As mentioned it was a Pre-Prod car. Its also listed as being used for a Demo at Le Mans that year. I also have its now in Japan but no other info on that.................

No but Henry would like to see a shot of one in your Delta?

As has been recently posted on FB so should probably add here - Dev. car 001 which we have seen on this thread before - I like how it still had its custom Ski Racks fitted. Nearly loses it at 00:26!

I know we've mentioned it on here before but David Thieme's Countach is featured in this video. Interesting to note he could not order it in Blue with Red leather so had to settle for Red with Blue leather - so the video say anyway - still stunning though!

Harry's Videos are a good archive though for recommended routes and roads to drive!

Agree about all this and Harry's Garage is probably my favourite thing to watch (including whats on the box!) However it does help that you have the funds to maintain / keep and not worry about doing a massive tour in etc. Recall he took his Testarossa to the Sahara and it gave him a massive bill in Servicing etc on return. Then again I would if I could!

Its great publicity for our cars having Harry with his. I have his Chassis number btw though not sure if he'd want it on the register. Boy would I have loved that test and development job taking one on the continent for the weekend - I'd do it now for nowt!

Video goes live at 5pm today!

Yep agreed David - and as mentioned from experience nothing worse for a car than not being used. Mine was not for the want of not wanting to use it (if you see what I mean?!!)

Really can't wait either. He paid top money for his car from Matty's (IIRC over £40k) but as can be seen its only done 23k and had a full refresh/overhaul when purchased so terrific to see one in correct full use (says the man who has had a identical car sat for 8 years!) 😫 Apparently he did over 2000 miles and the car did not use a drop of oil or water.

Apparently its been fitted with Winter Tyres for the trip and made it 860 miles to Austria from the Cotwolds without a hitch! Still a favourite of his - Roll on the Vid.............