2023 and new beginnings….. what next.

[Bling]

Very cool @Barrykearley. A nice reward and project to take your mind off the wife saga.

Is this the one you mentioned seeing in Gloucester at some point ?

[Barrykearley]

Yes @Blingit is. I tracked it back down again in 2020. Sadly the PO has now passed away and I was offered the chance to take ownership. How could I refuse 🤣

[paulbrown22]

Lovely car, looking forward to seeing some progress updates!

[ChrisJ]

To me these cars are rather like the Elite. Did not really like either of them back in the day, however, now - I think that they are both fab cars 

I reckon I might well have seen this car back in the day at one of the Castle Combe meetings (there was nearly always one present). But, alas, no photos as I didn't like them then

 

[Barrykearley]

O

 

no time he said until next week. But I could not resist a try at cleaning and treating the seats. A before and after side by side.

[pete]

Have you gone back to work to pay for it

[Barrykearley]

two seats done. I’m proper chuffed just how well they have cleaned up. They were the worst items from the interior - the rest will clean up beautifully 

[Barrykearley]

Had some time to do some interior clean today. 

then moved on to looking into the engine bay. I am dreading the fuel tank saga.

 

[910Esprit]

What's the big holes all about?!   

[Barrykearley]

The tops of the tanks had been cut away - I’ve metal plates and leather gaskets which appear to have been fitted to said tanks.

I do recall a chat about tank issues back with the owner in 1995. They will be extracted shortly 😂

[Bibs]

2 hours ago, Barrykearley said:

leather gaskets

[Barrykearley]

Hmmm - these tanks will not come out full stop. They will need to be chopped up and remade significantly smaller.

tank guy is coming up to look in a couple of days. It maybe the tops get repaired as they sit. Otherwise it’s choppy choppy time.

the tanks really are in decent order - I’ve no idea wtf the tops have been bastardised like this

[Escape]

Is it because of the changes to the rear bodywork that the tanks can't be removed? I can imagine the modifications being done with the tanks in the car and without worrying about ever having to get them out again.

[ramjet]

Did the car have a windscreen or was it removed for the trip home when the car was on the trailer backwards?

[Barrykearley]

@ramjet the windscreen I’ve no idea when it was removed - but I need to source a new one.

the tanks have been looked at - and will be braized in the car once the engine is out. The squares were cut like that for the old tank foam stuff in the day according to info I have at hand. 
 

tonight - I’ve just collected the second full set of BBS wheels for the car including a spare wheel. So if anyone needs a set - please pop me a DM.

[yeller77]

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1635326730112723/permalink/3227394927572554/?sale_post_id=3227394927572554

This was recently posted on FB. No connection. Don't know if scam or not but may be worth checking. Seemed too good to be true. 🤷‍♂️

[Barrykearley]

Thanks @yeller77 - I messaged him yesterday. Seems genuine - collection only as well.

[RobinB5]

What's with the big hole in the bulkhead Barry?

 

[TAR]

22 hours ago, Barrykearley said:

windscreen I’ve no idea when it was removed - but I need to source a new one

@Barrykearley I bought a new screen (not yet fitted) from this chap on eBay. He owns an Esprit himself. You'd need to collect but he is over £100 cheaper than the usual suspects. He has both clear and tinted. Lotus Esprit Front Windscreen for S1,S2,S3 models | eBay   

[Barrykearley]

2 hours ago, RobinB5 said:

What's with the big hole in the bulkhead Barry?

The PO thought it would be easier to replace the belts me thinks.

i will pull the engine and repair that 🤣

[Barrykearley]

So today - I needed to do something on the car.

im awaiting some hockey pucks from Amazon - the ramp the cars going to go up on is being sorted - a two post unit with some bits missing that’s being fettled with today by Don.

Front brakes pulled off. Calipers in good order - pads and discs ok as well. Cracked the nut on the brake master and it looks to be functional. I’ve removed, cleaned and refitted the calipers. Removed the flexis as I’ll get new made up. Car has to stay moveable for the moment until it’s on the ramp.

need new top ball joints on both sides. All else looks ok for now.

Just now need to figure out the value of this thing for insurance purposes. It would seem the last one to change hands went for a fairly sizeable figure - as it was thought to be the “only” turbo car.

[Rambo]

You need Copaslip on those 5 wheel bolts 😉

[Barrykearley]

Oh yes chap - copaslip will be used in the reassembly process.

Ramp now works - she’s been up in the air and the rear calipers have been removed along with the flexis so I can get new made up tomorrow. Needless to say - she rolls far better now 

[TAR]

On 05/03/2023 at 20:05, Rambo said:

You need Copaslip on those 5 wheel bolts

Why?

Surely that'll affect the amount of torque required to keep them in place. I've never used any lubrication on a wheel nut or stud.  

[Rambo]

The studs are much easier to get out if Kwik Shit have over torqued them. It also keeps the screw threads from rusting.