Restoration of 837G

[Alistair Enser]

Hi All, 

I have just purchased 873G. A 1980 S2 which will need a complete restoration. 

Plus points - It seems 95% complete, although the roof liner , clock and visors are missing ( I know the clocks are rarer than Unicorns ) .

The body is tatty but whole . 

The interior apart from the roof is beige 'leather' with chocolate brown marcasite which has faded to baby poo green - However all trim is complete , undamaged and original . So I am torn on whether to keep original but perhaps colour restore the marcasite , or whether to retrim . 

It rolls nicely and the engine runs with no major noises - but I do plan a rebuild .

Gearbox and clutch -unknown condition yet!

It has factory aircon but the compressor is missing , as is one of the electric window motors. 

The Chassis seems in spectacular condition for the age - with just some minor surface rust here and there , but no doubt surprises lurk when the body comes off. 

It allegedly covered 40k miles ( no history ) but has definitely been off the road since 1990 which is when it was last taxed and MOT'd - So mileage may be true .   If any of you recognise the car, know any history - particularly why an Esprit with such low miles has been barn stored for 30years  do let me know

I've starting stripping and cataloguing what I find . 

 

 

 

[Alistair Enser]

[Paul Coleman]

Ah the eBay one! Yeah it looks like a good starting point

The sun visor frames and brackets are available from SJ Sportscars and the window motors are also available new off eBay...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/194238422977?hash=item2d39831fc1:g:EksAAOxy9X5TbBLs

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/203518702688?hash=item2f62a8f460:g:K6oAAOxyUgtTPGkK

Edited July 19, 2021 by Paul Coleman

[drdoom]

That's an impressive find IMO, looks very original taking my S2 as reference.

Cheers!

[LOTUSMAN33]

Great project as all together, we watched it go on ebay and you had a good deal.

Keep the interior as only original once 👍🏻
Plenty of help on the forum, look forward to updates.

Dave  

[Alistair Enser]

Hi all 

Help 😬

I'm trying to disconnect the binnacle . I have all wiring Speedo and oil pressure off. But I can't see how to detach the wiring at the base for each of the warning lights 

It's all complete so I'd rather check than break something . Any advice ? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Are they just push and very stiff thanks

 

 

 

[LOTUSMAN33]

Yes just push fit

Dave  

[Alistair Enser]

All safely off thanks

The wires for the heater controls don’t want to let go, but I’m sure  that a little perseverance tomorrow I will win.

 

[Alistair Enser]

Hi All , 

Does anyone have an owners manual and workshop manual for the S2 which I can purchase , download or copy please ?  I do have a factory original S4 Turbo workshop manual which I purchased from Lotus in the 1990's but thats not much help for me .......

Any help or guidance would be appreciated 

 

Ali

 

[drdoom]

Let's see if I can help.

_Manual - S1 and S2 Workshop Manual.pdf

[Alistair Enser]

Thats great thanks 

 

 

 

[Alistair Enser]

Steve- The workshop manual was extremely helpful .

Does anyone have an owners manual  too?  Having not had an S2 before I am not familiar with all the dash controls , interior switches, release pulls, choke etc  lights etc , so need to know what everything is so I can test the wiring and functions as I dismantle 

thanks

 

Ali

[JonSE]

http://www.holycows.net/Lotus/?fbclid=IwAR3Eiqj_CBETKahB389-wixoxfLoPAtuzZwnkiFjX3zBsLDs_i8X9ea3R9A
 

Hi,

Think the S2 manual can be found on the above blog….

[Alistair Enser]

Jon - that's amazingly helpful thank you 

[Alistair Enser]

Well who'd have thought . I bought a car and have now taken up yoga 😂

Taking out the dashboard today - I got to assume.a familiar position no doubt for many .

The Lotus position .

My god - who did they employ in Norwich to assemble this thing !

 

 

[LOTUSMAN33]

We have all been there so many times and never gets any easier, you are clearly 6 foot plus as well 😁

[Alistair Enser]

Lol 

Just realised the photo is my son. We both had the position . But yes he is around 6 1"

Lucky for me I'm a couple of inches shorter but it's definitely not the most comfortable

Good old marcasite panels

 

[Alistair Enser]

Hi - strange request perhaps - but is there anyone local-ish to Camberley in Surrey with an S2 that is complete- that I could look at?
 

it would probably be helpful for me to have a good look at one as I know I am short f some trims here and there -  ( eg roof lining, etc)
I’ve got the manuals but seeing everything for real makes it easier to visualise  the tasks ahead  and the finished  requirements

 

thanks

Ali

[rgh0]

Get a copy of the parts manual as that helps to identify what may be missing

 

cheers

Rohan

[Alistair Enser]

Thanks Rohan

I do have the parts manual which has been extremely helpful. I was just hoping to view a 'finished" car to get a good visual on how things are completed . Eg roof lining , how does it look, feel, is it stitched at certain points etc .

 

Thanks 

 

 

 

[peteyg]

@Alistair Enser

Hi Alistair,

If you don't get a better offer you are welcome to pop over to Basingstoke anytime and have a look at my car which, if chronologically correct, was not far behind yours on the production line. I have 864G. I often work just off J5 of the M3 at Odiham so we could meet halfway if easier? PM me if I can help.

Pete

[Lotusfab]

Nice project.

[Alistair Enser]

Thanks Fabian.

 

A little gift to  myself arrived in the post from Germany today

Very excited. I now have an original Jaeger clock to perfectly fit the hole in my front roof rail and it appears to be in perfect working order.

Was it cheap …..err well not really. But on a positive it was a lot less than the optional clock on Humphrey my Porsche Taycan ,……and I found one 

 

 

 

[ramjet]

On 24/07/2021 at 09:15, Alistair Enser said:

Well who'd have thought . I bought a car and have now taken up yoga 😂

Taking out the dashboard today - I got to assume.a familiar position no doubt for many .

The Lotus position .

My god - who did they employ in Norwich to assemble this thing !

 

 

I've done similar many times, but with the drivers seat in and my body coming out the door diagonally. The above would be 'Luxury'.

[Alistair Enser]

@Peteyg,

 

Thanks that offer will be kindly accepted. I will private message you to sort out a time. .Basingstoke is very close so no problem for me to get over to yours