Time to renovate again after 20 years

[unity1]

Hello fellow hooners, Its been 20 years since I decided to renovate and personalise my Esprit. After some period away expanding the family Loti is getting some attention again. She had been laid up and outside since Covid, Body and interior has suffered a little. Cracks and delamination of lacquer on the side facing the sun. Standing also caused the Carbs to varnish up etc however they have been addressed on the whole and it now running with MOT and road worthy.

For those that have been in the scene since the Yahoo days or partook in some of the LEW and Unity events of the past may remember I polled out to the group and then eventually settled on a Mercedes deep metallic green with a Rage green Amber Gold flip coat. I have to say she looked fantastic. I found a image of F that copied the idea .Since being back on the road some nice individual decided to give Loti a little love nudge and take a paint sample from the rear quarter. The long and short is Loti will now be getting new paint and interior improvements. While investigating about this I have discovered that the the flip coat has actually faded and that Rage flip is no longer available. 

Now that I'm looking at a full colour change  I need to decide what colour to go for.

1. Replicate the look with a modern equivalent

2.Go for a 'Standard' Metallic.

3 Go for a colour from the Lotus swatch.

As you may know I'm not that worried about maintaining originality having been one if not the first to take a Dremel to the car to fit the V8 rear lights, clear side repeaters and dual exhaust.
Link from initial colour post https://www.unity1.co.uk/Lotus/Project/Colours/Colour.htm

I like the idea of JC tribute in met green with yellow wheel centers and bonnet strip (vinyl so could be removed) similar to shown. McLaren, Laborghini verdi ermes and Jaguar BRG. BMW IOM green looks more Blue hue jade.

I've also messaged Steve and now potentially looking a change the biscuit/cream carpets to green. not sure yet. I will be adding accent color hue to tie the external choice within the interior for sure.

Any opinions?

Edited July 11, 2023 by unity1
Put JH instead of JC for some reason.

[ChrisJ]

I did wonder what the flip the flip reference was on the other thread.

I don't think that I'd use another manufacturer's colour, and if you were to do a JC tribute, this is the green I'd be looking for

Whereabouts are you?

 

[unity1]

Essex Coast, I cant bring myself to have a non met car.  I was thinking more Lotus racing homage rather than any kind of replica. In truth thats where the Green and copper gold idea came from initially. Just not sure a pearl or chroma paint is the way to go now. When a full respray was a few k (I had two done after a little misjudgment at Jonnos a few back). I wasnt that concerned about a scrap or some idiot however eith current quotes are around 13k + for chroma I might be less tempted to 'enjoy' the car, leave it parked up on a day out etc

Mrs does like the idea of the stripes. Less classy in her view but I could just be reverting back to my second childhood.

[ChrisJ]

You are in our area - so I've added you to our monthly meeting list - we have a meet tomorrow, although it might be too far as it is in the St Albans area. Come along when you can.

[Bibs]

1 hour ago, unity1 said:

I could just be reverting back to my second childhood.

You say that as if it's a bad thing!

[Chillidoggy]

If you’re after a green machine, I’ve seen some of the new Alfa’s and Aston’s in some gorgeous shades. We’re I in the market for a full paint job, I’d be giving those some serious consideration, along with the Evora Racing Green metallic.

[drdoom]

Here's Stevens car in green which makes my heart go pitapat.

[unity1]

I have been playing with PS. I quite like the black around the rear lights also. Not a subtle anymore. the rear spoiler is still off the car atm hence not in the photo.

[Bibs]

Did you ever see Alex's car once it was painted?

 

[unity1]

No I didnt but it's  the kind of thing I was thinking. I would have a black top of the spoiler with yellow tips I

[unity1]

Ok guys I've been taking a different approach using a 3d model.  Mrs really doesn't like the bright yellow wheels and not keen on the strip but as I'll have that added as vinyl  after the respray. So came up with the following idea including satin black around the rear lights and some colour accent within the interior.  I know its a V8 and Stevens and I've not finished modelling the S4 wheels. Took a few hours to work on the centers and didn't get to repair and join to rims but does provide the feel.  The idea was black wheel centers with yellow rims and white rim guards. Really not sure about the seats yet. I have a  second pair of black seats that were intending to use while the originals are covered but honestly with some work a gliptone I I could colour change to something more unusual.  I dont want black seat on the whole as they are too dame hot in the summer. I'm also just playing with the shaders for the body colour not based on any actual colour.

Any feedback suggestions?

[Bibs]

The wheels actually look great (or will do!) and I really like the interior touches on the door card. Satin black rear panel works too 

Decided on the exterior colour yet?

[plumdeplakmuis]

This boats color :

Edited July 19, 2023 by plumdeplakmuis

[unity1]

12 hours ago, Bibs said:

The wheels actually look great (or will do!) and I really like the interior touches on the door card. Satin black rear panel works too 

Decided on the exterior colour yet?

I'm seeing a paint specialist on Friday to talk about options and see samples.

[Mark Blanchard]

Hi Chap, long time to hear.  Must have been 20 years ago when we were on the Unity forum.

Regarding the colour, I like the colour of the car it is at the moment (on the Photoshop).  Not that bothered with the stripe.

[unity1]

On 20/07/2023 at 09:17, Mark Blanchard said:

Hi Chap, long time to hear.  Must have been 20 years ago when we were on the Unity forum.

Regarding the colour, I like the colour of the car it is at the moment (on the Photoshop).  Not that bothered with the stripe.

Hi Mark, its been 19-20 years since we last met I think it was at a Oxford hoon and lunch or perhaps Donnington. Its been almost 18 years since I have a house warning which I dont believe could make and then family changes and priorities with the wind down of the Unity forum. Now I do sound old. I hope to have Loti back in top condition over the coming months. Perhaps it would be an idea to setup a run and meet Unity reunion to celebrate.

[unity1]

A quick update on where I am with the renovation. 

[unity1]

A few more updates on the little project. Engine cover is completed. I ended up fully splitting down the vents repairing, spraying and pop rivet back together. Followed the Jim Clarke inspired yellow stripe on the section normally covered in carpet. Door card insert design was also altered to match. They look a bit odd on their own but confident it will fit in once assembled.

Wheels have been dipped and powder coated. In the process of keying to add Lotus decal and spray rims yellow before clear coat. TBH the body shop is slacking slightly here as they said they would do it and its now in the second week since getting the wheels back from coating. I could have completed them myself a week ago.

Rear calipers have been stripped, sand blasted, filled off manufacturing ridges, sparayed and backed,  The pistons sent off to SJ to be rebuilt as near side would stick.

New discs which happen to have a green coating. Cleaned and repacked bearings while at it.

Cleaned off and tarted up rear suspension although intend on replacing the shocks, springs and bushed next winter.

[unity1]

Back on the car this week and another update.

[unity1]

Another update. Plates made to spread load from tail gate hinge, Hinges, door handles etc all satin blacked. Exhaust wet sanded and polished, Still some tainting  an may give it another go before assembly. Full car primed, Door shuts painted
Colour shift is very prominent under the daylight bulb although did my best to capture the most extreme images on the camera. Comparing it to the wind deflector which is close to original paint  the colour shift is more vibrant.  I still like it although do feel it will split opinions unlike before where everyone always liked it in the flesh even if not the idea.

Remaining shuts should be painted tomorrow. The body will then be soft assembled for full paint towards the end of next week.

[Bibs]

The paint is looking epic mate, I bet you're pleased! Lots of hard work there

[unity1]

Another round of project Updates.

The paint work is progressing.

Worked on stabilising the bulkhead with angle steel in the cabin.

During the bulk head work I noticed the board holding down the left tank was a little rotten to took it out and used it as a template to cut a replacement.

TBH I'm a little ticked as it confirmed the left side tank had not been replaced with stainless as the right. I dont recall any reason for this but do have the photos from 15 years ago with both left and right new stainless tanks sitting on the side at the garage. not much I can really do about it now and will just have to deal with it if it ever needed replacing.

Right door frame was also rotten in several places so ordered a replacement to be refitted.

Main dash was cleaned, re coloured and sealed.

New top back dash fitted along with speakers (easier while the glass is out).

Side decals added last night however despite also being a little off level wasn't 100% so decided to draw up some further custom decals using the font style similar to the era of the car but heading towards the spacing and proportions of the the later decal. Put these on earlier and will be top coated tonight. 

Video walk around
https://photos.app.goo.gl/5af1dVUHPeRD8wCz5

 

[EXCEL V8]

Whose leather recolouring products did you use - it looks great?

Pete

[unity1]

On 05/01/2024 at 10:46, EXCEL V8 said:

Whose leather recolouring products did you use - it looks great?

Pete

Gliptone

https://gliptoneeurope.com/

 

[unity1]

Have have finally got around to putting up some of the videos of the project.  Honestly they wont be getting any Oscars but someone may find them interesting or useful.