Esprit S2 - Restomod

[Fridge]

They're always more cherished in their original packaging.

[Suddabym]

On 21/01/2020 at 09:20, Bibs said:

Sudders, do you mind if I pop your garage pic on our facebook page please mate? Dany said he's looking forward to seeing it

You are more than welcome too.

Did Dany really say that? Really? 

I have fond memories of our time together in that nuclear bunker, but the court order prevents me from texting him any more. Or leaving little gifts for him, in his bedroom.

[Vipers]

Hey Mark,

I saw the pic of your awesome car on Instagram yesterday but in all honesty I am equally as interested in your garage as I have just ordered my dream car and am looking to build a shrine in my garden to it as it isn't road legal, sad I know, and what you have done is exactly what I have in mind, when I saw your garage on instagram it really was a eureka moment, I'm just up the road in Bedfordshire, would it be possible to let me know who did the work please? really sorry if you have already mentioned it, and a rough idea of cost, please feel free to PM me so as not to hijack your post, awesome job on the car and its home though, epic 👍

[Suddabym]

So, I've been asked about the garage / show room / gazebo / sun/garden room. The door is side slidey, which is super awesome. The dudes that built it were fantastic and it meets all current building control requirements.

 

[Vipers]

Thanks for posting Mark, I feel inspired to get the same done, looks incredible 👍

[Fridge]

Will you be lining your driveway with spring loaded palm trees?

I assume that glass meets 'Q' Branch's bulletproofing?

I've done similar with my 'Esprit lair'. Except I've chosen robust sections of concrete, wood - mainly for the door, and authentic 1980's asbestos sheeting for the roof/UV blast protection. It also has a rather unique main door aperture mechanism, with an amazing up and over movement. With added built in security feature which requires foot pressure at it's base - but just on one side - to operate it effectively.  The whole structure is designed with the utmost importance for the surrounding environment, blending in superbly with adjacent, virtually identically matching vehicle 'silos'. 

[Jonas]

On 12/09/2019 at 14:51, Fridge said:

how do I get in touch with Tomorrows Classics, do webpage? facebook?

 

 

[Suddabym]

Sorry, Jonas, missed that. They are having a website designed, but it isn't up just yet. If you want Nick's mobile number, PM and I'll provide.

[Suddabym]

Self-isolation... Could be worse.

[Vipers]

Simply put - Gorgeous, Very Jealous 😍 😍

[Suddabym]

So, I just wanted to share the new website address for Tomorrow's Classics, who did the work on my car (and are currently sorting snags and adding the final upgrades).

https://www.tomorrows-classics.org

These guys are the nicest classic restorer types going and they are extra knowledgable on Esprits.

So - having already put a mention on the general threads - I just wanted to repeat the shoutout here, both because of the work that they do for me, and their specialist knowledge of the model.

Supercool.

[Hwell]

I always look out for whenever JEA100V pops up. My Dad was, I believe, the third owner of this one so I like to show him what it's up to when I can. He was overjoyed to see how well it has been looked after all these years later.

[Suddabym]

Hwell, that's great. Well the car has received much love over the last few years. Not to keep it in pure form originality, I'm afraid (if that's your thing), but useable and to be used as an everyday car. Hope you're pleased with the new lease of life the car has received.

[Suddabym]

So, the LED light boards are in. The pics aren't great I'm afraid, but I'll take some better ones once me and car are reunited. 

First pic is of just the rear light (30%) (which lights further under braking).

Second pic is with the fog and indicators (100%). It becomes clear at this point, just how bright the LEDs are.

What isn't shown is reverse and brake.

When I get the car back, I'll upload some more pics.

Suffice to say that I am really pleased with the look and the improved visibility.

Supercool.

(missing my car and driving and stuff, big time)

[Suddabym]

So, here is the front end with lighting upgrades complete. The headlights are the PNM LED units and they are just superlative. The masks are S3. They were too bright at dusk, so I took the photos again in bright daylight. Very happy with the overall look and illumination.

Awesome!

[canamfan]

Very nice. What bulb did you use in the clear part of the turn signal/indicator lamp? They almost look like extra driving lights, it’s near perfection 👌

[Suddabym]

The side light is just an LED bulb like-for-like swap. I can't remember exactly, because I can't remember which bulb the unit takes. But I did get one with all round LEDs on it, rather than just front-facing and that's made a difference. I was surprised at how bright they are.

[Suddabym]

Just found the bulb, actually, on eBay. It’s this:

[JonSE]

On 31/03/2021 at 12:36, Suddabym said:

So, here is the front end with lighting upgrades complete. The headlights are the PNM LED units and they are just superlative. The masks are S3. They were too bright at dusk, so I took the photos again in bright daylight. Very happy with the overall look and illumination.

Awesome!

That looks amazing, recall my old ones having about as much power as a set of birthday candles. May go for this, even if to reduce the strain on the electrics. Had the headlight switch burn out on the dash one evening, luckily the brakes had caught fire so it wasn’t too distracting.

Had to drive back holding the full beam stalk back, before later realising I could just have bypassed the switch in the dash and hot wired low beam.

 

[Suddabym]

Sounds like a pretty normal trip in an Esprit. Except for me, that is.

It's a straight swap. So easy, even I managed it. Four quid each, I think.

[Suddabym]

And, the rears.

Honestly, trying to get these on tape is not easy. They can really only be fully appreciated in the plastic, I think. But, best I can do. Suffice to say that they work a treat and do what they're suppose to do, illuminate the car/intent to other road users, who aren't used to seeing cars in 2D anymore.

I am superfrastically pleased with the whole effort and one day, people may be allowed near enough to actually see the car in the fibreglass. Who knows?

Hope you like them.

Epic!±

You can also be angry and mystified, of course. Entirely your choice.

[Suddabym]

Rounds complete.

1979 Lotus Esprit Series 2, in championship champagne gold, with champagne leather and chocolate alcantara.

The Spec Sheet:

[Suddabym]

These just arrived.

Kick plates and engine cover plate.

Boom!

[Bibs]

Do you like them? Not for me, they're a bit too in your face for my taste. Just sayin'. 

[Suddabym]

Well, I ordered and bought them, so... 😀