Just purchased my first Esprit!!

[Maggo54321]

Hi all. First post so please be gentle lol. 
 

So I’ve just purchased this car, and I’ll be honest, it’s a bit scary for me spending that much!
 

https://themarket.bonhams.com/en/listings/lotus/esprit/2e5a57e5-ccda-44a6-8fe9-ffe240e7b5fc
 

Hopefully picking up this week!  The history seems a bit dubious but hey ho. The wheels aren’t right and neither is the red decals in my opinion, do you guys agree?

Anyways. I’m taking it straight to my local automotive upholsters to sort out a few things on the interior. 

Do you guys have meets anywhere in Yorkshire?  I’d love to see you all at one. 

If not I look forward to picking your brains when some inevitably goes wrong!

[ramjet]

Welcome to TLF @Maggo54321 

While I am ok with the side decals, I have no idea why the front one would be pushed over to the drivers side like that. Just looks really odd. I love the shape of that steering wheel. One of the nicest shaped Esprit wheels. Nice looking car in Monaco White.

You should duck over and say hi in the Introductions area as well.

Any questions or issues with using the forums, feel free to ask one of us mods. We're here to help.  

[Rambo]

I think someone mentioned this car recently as I read about the front ones being wrong for the age/period of the car. I'll see if I can find the thread.

 

[Rambo]

Found it. Bibs mentioned the car 1st, then someone commented on the front graphics and the colour of the bumpers...

https://www.thelotusforums.com/forums/topic/119582-esprit-market-watch-help-for-those-searching/?do=findComment&comment=1013671

 

[Escape]

Welcome to TLF! And congratulations with your first Esprit! You'll be hooked for life. 😉

The car you've bought is a Stevens Turbo Esprit, not an SE, with a/the previous owner adding some details from other models. Like the decals inspired by the original Turbo Esprit and the spoiler from an SE. Not original, but no big deal either and gives you the perfect base to add your own touch.

My personal opinion, before spending money on the interior, I would get the mechanicals checked out by someone familiar with an Esprit. The recent cambelt change is a big plus, but get it looked over just to be sure. Or do it yourself, we're happy to answer any questions you're bound to have sooner or later.

Greetz,

Filip

 

[LOTUSMAN33]

Welcome to esprit ownership, looks like it has the makings of a nice car 🙂

Nice retrim, I’d lose the decals which would give the car back its elegant look. If you like them you can get the esprit turbo in the post 84 font which is smaller allowing the full stripe to be applied.

 

[jonwat]

1 hour ago, Escape said:

the spoiler from an SE. Not original

I had an '89 Turbo with that spoiler on, they weren't only on the SE & yes, that front decal has to go.

Congrats on your purchase I'm sure you'll have fun 

[GreenGoddess]

Overall it looks like a nice car. Those decals and wheels definitely need to go but I am sucker for keeping everything as original as possible.

Older Esprits like this are not as complex as many people think. Having carburettors instead of injectors is a big plus in my opinion. It means no hassle with electronics.

My top tip: For anything other than the simplest of jobs, always take it to a reputable garage with extensive Esprit knowledge. 

This forum is a lifesaver so be sure to contribute regularly.

[madmax]

Hello Maggo54321 and welcome to probably the best resource for ANYTHING Lotus.

Welcome too to the brand - whether intentionally or by accident you've landed with something where the enthusiasm for the brand, the cars and all its history are second to none - and then of course there's the drive - it's all about the drive.

Do your car your way, for you, and you'll love it but don't be scared to ask for help and advice on here - everyone has a view and it's great that they're often shared - allows for a great balance of opinion and experience.

I like many others might want to make the car look and feel as original as possible but that's just the way I like things.

Welcome again and good luck 😉

Whereabouts in Yorkshire are you - it's a big place and has some great Lotus roads - I know parts of it very well 👍

[pete]

9 minutes ago, madmax said:

 

Whereabouts in Yorkshire are you - it's a big place and has some great Lotus roads - I know parts of it ,very wet 👍

Corrected that for you😁

[shaunw]

Welcome & congratulations on purchasing what looks like a very nice example.🙂 My opinion is that the wheels and decals should go, neither suit the car IMHO. 

 

Shaun 

[greentengu]

Welcome and congratulations on your purchase! 

I love the white-over-red interior, but am not sold on the decals.
 

However, while the front decal must go, the sides are only a problem if *you* are really nagged seeing them. If they don’t tick you off, best to focus on having the engine sorted.

As regards the wheels, well, as long as they are doing their job, I would also keep any monies possibly spent on new (or used) wheels in reserve “just in case” a more thorough engine/fuel tank/electrical inspection uncovers previously-unseen gremlins. 
 

Again, cool color combination! 

Cheers,

Scott

[Escape]

@jonwat from what I heard/read (on LEW for example) the SE was the first standard car to use a wing, after the X180R. But maybe some were fitted as an option to the Esprit Turbo as well? Doesn't really matter, I think it looks nice. 🙂

[Elite 4.9]

Welcome to the Lotus forum and nice choice finding this gem. Love the Esprit and of course it looks stunning in white. Not a fan of the decals but that is an option you can deal with easily. Getting the cam belt changed is a good idea right from the get go as already mentioned. This can be a weakness with this engine, but only if neglected as it if it breaks or slips, your motor will be toast and needing some expensive repairs. Not to worry though if you do your diligence. 

These cars are simply iconic and lovely to not only look at but also drive so may you have many great outings with this supercar. Once the Lotus gets into your blood, you will be hooked for life. Sounds like this has already happened and the price is never low for one of the ultimate handling cars of all time, the Esprit! Great buy and kudo's for connecting here as there is an abundance of experience with Lotus cars so take advantage of that for sure.

atb,

Richard

[Rambo]

2 hours ago, Elite 4.9 said:

Getting the cam belt changed is a good idea right from the get go as already mentioned. 

It had a cambelt service/replaced in Spring 2022. I'm sure there will be an invoice stating the actual date of replacement.

[jonwat]

9 hours ago, Escape said:

@jonwat from what I heard/read (on LEW for example) the SE was the first standard car to use a wing, after the X180R. But maybe some were fitted as an option to the Esprit Turbo as well? Doesn't really matter, I think it looks nice. 🙂

Mine was number 4 of 40 special edition in pearlescent white  to celebrate 40 years of production at Hethel.

Here's pictures of number 25 complete with spoiler, beautiful 

[Maggo54321]

Update - picked her up yesterday and got almost home when she died on me. Think it's the rotor arm as theres no spark beyond the distributor cap. Although it's a pig to get to by the looks, so her maiden drive ended on a low loader for the last few miles.

Stacks of history, looks like the owner for the past 24 years took her to Tenerife when he retired in the 90's, but passed away 2 years ago and his brother in law had her shipped back over to Telford and although in his 70's himself, spent the past 2 years full refurbing her, just to show his sister what it was like when it came out of the factory!

Cambelt and auxillary bits for the engine seem to be all that was done on the mechanics, the rest (over £18k!) was spent on the interior and exterior. It genuinely looks like almost £20k has been spent on her in the past 2 years. At least he got his money back from the sale.

I've spoken to him earlier and he seems to think those wheels are originally spec'd from new. I have never seen those wheels on a Lotus ever, so would be interested to hear your thoughts.

I'll keep you posted on the rotor arm, my local garage who I know and trust doesn't think it's going to be a biggy, although he wonders if the part will be easily available off the shelf, so might be a specialist purchase.

 

Edited April 28, 2023 by Maggo54321

[Bibs]

2 minutes ago, Maggo54321 said:

I've spoken to him earlier and he seems to think those wheels are originally spec'd from new.

That's not the case. That's the first and only time I've seen those wheels on an Esprit and they were never an option. 

[Maggo54321]

Fair enough, I did wonder.  However, they're growing on me.  I think there's more important jobs first (like the front decal lol)!

[Bibs]

Definitely!

Your car should be on OZ Ruote wheels, 15" front and rear...

http://www.lotusespritworld.com/EHistory/WingsWheels.html

https://www.lotusespritturbo.com/Lotus_Esprit_Stevens_X180.htm

[Maggo54321]

Interestingly, I've just seen this.......what are the 'special feature' wheels on the right hand side?  I can't read the text, but they do look similar?

[Bibs]

That's an Esprit Turbo SE in that brochure by the way, you have an Esprit Turbo aka X180 Turbo. 

They look like the split rims fitted to the X180R in the USA.

 

 

 

[Escape]

That's a shame she didn't make it all the way home... 😞

42 minutes ago, Maggo54321 said:

I'll keep you posted on the rotor arm, my local garage who I know and trust doesn't think it's going to be a biggy, although he wonders if the part will be easily available off the shelf, so might be a specialist purchase.

Parts are easy enough to get, certainly through a specials (like SJ or Lotusbits). But the distributor is a standard part used on plenty of British cars at that time. So with some searching you might find one on the shelf.

Do make sure your mechanic does not get in over his head, it's all pretty straight forward as long as you think things through. Best thing you can do is get him a proper manual. That will prove invaluable to you as well!

Filip

[Maggo54321]

Funny you say about a manual, I've just been sifting through the box that came with the car and I've found no less than 6 (YES SIX) huge workshop manual binders!

[Escape]

I did a quick search for cross references and found these for the distributor cap: OEM B907E6329F, can be replaced by

Borg Warner C567
Standard LU 430
World Parts W32-192
Beck Arnley 174-0257
Niehoff WA 447