new Esprit S1 owner

[hml_xy]

Hello all,

some may have met me with my Evora GT430 Sport at 70 years Hethel (I have fond memories of the time when it was okay to travel...especially for joy!). While I have not been very active on TLF, I did not stop thinking about the cars. 

Today I signed a deal to buy a restored 1977 S1 Esprit (sorry - LHD, I am still in Germany ). My goal is to make it a drivers car and not garage / showroom / collectors queen. As you will notice, the wheels are not "correct" (as well as a couple of other parts) but the overall condition is excellent (from what I know so far). Frame has been fully restored, car has been repainted (was red originally) and a lot of the important mechanical components have been swapped. Interior re-bolstered (the green-ish/yellow-brown combo had to go for black /black). Engine runs well, the pace was a surprise for a 160bhp car. But the biggest grin was caused by the sound of it! Such a naughty growl from the open K&Ns right behind your head! My GT430 sounds amazing, but I am tempted to prefer the voice of this little 2.0! 😎

The car is still with the old owner but will be picked up next week and brought back to its new home.

One photo as a teaser, I hope that I wont have to ask for too much help (and therapy?) around here 😅

[LOTUSMAN33]

It looks nice on the speedlines, my favourite S1 colour 😍👍🏻

[hml_xy]

Thanks Lotusman!

Yes, I personally like the look of the Speedlines. But having a set of Wolfrace rims would also be nice (anyone selling a set? I know how rare they are.

Another teaser before I'll share more images: The owner has fitted the Panasonic RM-610 that came with the Essex Turbos into it! Again - does historically not "belong" into the S1, but really cool!

[Bibs]

Oh, very nice! Congratulations Heiner. They weight next to nothing too so are a lot of fun to drive

[jep]

Great news. Well done. 

I remember suffering a water leak on an autobahn in my S1 in 1994. A German stopped and gave me a lift to the services...he just adored Lotus and had to help. 

Evora is always much admired when I am in Germany. 

Delighted to hear you will drive it, so sad to see under-used sports cars. 

Justin 

[hml_xy]

Thanks for the nice words, Bibs and Justin!

I can't wait.... my plan is to pick it up by trailer next week. It could theoretically drive, but it wasn't used much in the last year and its a 500km drive. My plan is to get it checked first before I'll take her on such a long trip. 
A few months ago I was planning another NC500 trip this year but due to all these crazy events I might skip it and wait for 2021 instead. Not sure which one to take then, some of the roads up there make me prefer the comfort ride of the Esprit over the pretty hard ride in the GT430. 
 

We'll see ...

[Fridge]

Good luck with the car @hml_xy

The Wolfrace wheels are about if you look.

[cor]

beautiful car Heiner looks really great with the speedlines even though they are not correct....

Enjoy

[Guest]

I have your car’s twin...

 

 

[hml_xy]

Thanks, again!

Tomorrow is collection day. Leaving home at 5:30am with a trailer to pick her up. More pics to come.

4 hours ago, gtookey said:

I have your car’s twin...

 

 

Ha! That's a coincidence. I think yellow works really well on the S1y You have a slightly different bumper setup - federal I guess, also judging by the number plate. Mine had a four-tip exhaust at some point in the past and a previous owner made a nasty second cutout. 😩 Glad it ended up being symetric enough.