Clean V8 SE

[Tex]

Looking to go and view this V8, looks a clean example, albeit pricey 

So anyone know anything about it’s history 

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lotus-Esprit-V8-SE-Twin-Rear-Light-Model-/275033746786?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m2548.l6249&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0

[ChrisJ]

One thing that would worry me is that it only done 66 miles since being serviced in 2016 - presumably the MOT station and back.

[jonwat]

15 hours ago, Tex said:

Looking to go and view this V8, looks a clean example, albeit pricey 

Looks very nice, although it is expensive they don't make them anymore & looked after the price is only going one way. Go for it 

[Escape]

9 hours ago, ChrisJ said:

One thing that would worry me is that it only done 66 miles since being serviced in 2016 - presumably the MOT station and back.

Indeed, I would prefer one that was at least driven a couple of times a year. That way you have a better chance things not only look nice but actually work. 😉

[cweeden]

I'd take a clean looking low mileage one over a well used rust bucket (underneath at least), if it passes a good once over I'd expect you to be onto a good thing. 

[Mightymetro]

My favourite spec.  Looks gorgeous 😍

[cweeden]

However, shouldn't it have a centre exit exhaust? 🤨

[Tex]

Car seems very clean but no mileage in 5 yrs is concerning and  I imagine unless it has been stored correctly will be hiding some expense required.

Interior looks refurbed but perhaps not  to original spec and exhaust doesn’t seem right.

[Barrykearley]

On 24/12/2021 at 20:42, cweeden said:

However, shouldn't it have a centre exit exhaust? 🤨

I don’t think it’s a final edition car so the exhaust is correct iirc.

1 hour ago, Tex said:

Car seems very clean but no mileage in 5 yrs is concerning and  I imagine unless it has been stored correctly will be hiding some expense required.

That would worry me - but it does look lovely. A very quick glance at them low slung turbos and the suspension would tell you all you need to know. Let’s hope the “serviced prior to collection” would include a full cam belt, tensioners and all the fluids.

looks a stunning car.

[Tex]

On 26/12/2021 at 13:26, Barrykearley said:

I don’t think it’s a final edition car so the exhaust is correct iirc.

That would worry me - but it does look lovely. A very quick glance at them low slung turbos and the suspension would tell you all you need to know. Let’s hope the “serviced prior to collection” would include a full cam belt, tensioners and all the fluids.

looks a stunning car.

Need to get over to view it in the next week 

[Jack Stone]

Although the car is 2003, it isn't from the final batch of UK cars (with glovebox plaque) that were delivered in Mar/Apr 2003. I have a UK "last 15" V8 (no.4 - pic) which has the outer exhaust config, as does no.6 TW03TOO. So the centre exhaust was not a default spec. I now need to pin down how many of the final 15 had each layout! @bingoking has one of the 15 so curious what layout his has?

[bingoking]

17 hours ago, Jack Stone said:

Although the car is 2003, it isn't from the final batch of UK cars (with glovebox plaque) that were delivered in Mar/Apr 2003. I have a UK "last 15" V8 (no.4 - pic) which has the outer exhaust config, as does no.6 TW03TOO. So the centre exhaust was not a default spec. I now need to pin down how many of the final 15 had each layout! @bingoking has one of the 15 so curious what layout his has?

Perhaps the owner didn't fit the plaque as the final 15 weren't delivered with the plaque attached. I received mine a couple of months after I took delivery of the car with instructions on where to place it on the glovebox lid.

You mention No4 and No6 above, what are you saying? 4th and 6th from last UK spec cars? I have the certificate of provenance from Lotus and my car is 8th from last. My car came of the production line after the Stratton 7 cars were delivered and they were supposed to be last of the line!

My car had the outer exhaust configuration when delivered but I didn't think it sounded like a V8 so I changed mine for the Lotus Federal Exhaust and the "cheese grater" rear valance. As far as I can recall the final edition European and Federal cars were delivered with the centre exhaust.

The price of these cars is only going one way and I think £65k is a fair price to be asking for a low mileage car.

 

 

[Jack Stone]

The laser blue car isn't in the official last 15 according to my records (compiled by Lucas Reynolds) as they were all 2003 plates (ie reg after 1-3-2003) and the one being offered is a "52" car. 

Fyi my sequence is simply based on the UK final 15 chassis nos (between 10501 and 10523)

Thanks for the info about the exhaust. Looking at the Kett Hall delivery video, it looks like at least some of those had centre exhaust from new but not sure it was standard (Dan Collins told me he requested his, but then he had a lot of non-standard mods! pictured))

[Jack Stone]

To be clear, the order of the 15 I referred to (not official) was simply from first to last chassis no with 15th being the last (Dan C's - now in Japan), so it's not based on delivery or registration date

[Tex]

Good information and thanks for sharing.

Important points for me are if it has had any original parts changed  unless they are Lotus.

Not had a chance to view it yet however.

[Jack Stone]

This seems to be the same car being advertised for sale in around 2014 with just one keeper and 13,250 miles. In the latest pics, the Queen's Awards for Enterprise "E" is no longer on the filler cover though.

https://shmooautomotive.co.uk/product/lotus-esprit-v8-twin-turbo/

[Tex]

46 minutes ago, Jack Stone said:

This seems to be the same car being advertised for sale in around 2014 with just one keeper and 13,250 miles. In the latest pics, the Queen's Awards for Enterprise "E" is no longer on the filler cover though.

https://shmooautomotive.co.uk/product/lotus-esprit-v8-twin-turbo/

Seats look different also 

[Jack Stone]

Weird because if you check the MoT history details for the V8 in the old advert (LOT429R) it seems to tally with the details listed for the V8 in the ebay ad.

[Tex]

Viewed car this week, 

Overall in good condition, however has had some frontal touch up and the seats refurbed. Carpets need some attention.
 

No opportunity yet to check the mechanics etc but will see where this goes. My Main concern is the length of time it has spent stored and the  issues that may arise, however still an interesting potential addition to my garage.

Edited January 20, 2022 by Tex
Mistakes

[Jack Stone]

Same car?

 

[Tex]

On 01/02/2022 at 17:05, Jack Stone said:

Same car?

 

Yes i believe it is 

Edited February 3, 2022 by Tex
Mistakes

[LotusFella]

mine will be available in a month or so.  Just getting turbos and clutch refurb

[Jack Stone]

Who's doing the work?

[LotusFella]

8 hours ago, Jack Stone said:

Who's doing the work?

Turbo dynamics and PNM Engineering