One less Esprit...

[obione]

Yesterday morning I owned a Lotus...not any longer.

For five and a half years I have really enjoyed owning this car, but yesterday at around 3pm, on the A27 going around Chichester, whilst overtaking a car, the fuel caught alight, instantly setting the car ablaze. Within three or four seconds of me realising what was going on, the engine died, and as I pulled off the road the brakes failed as well. I grabbed my phone and as I was opening the car door, I could feel the back of my head getting hot

[Rick Edwards]

OMG really sorry to see that. I remember how I felt when my first Esprit disintigrated.

Double shame really as it was such a nice day and you could have BBQd a sausage and had a snack while waiting for a lift.....(sorry)

[MPx]

That car has been

Well done for getting out. Good luck with the clear up and follow up.

[richard100]

Second that "sorry to hear that" - what a nightmare......... I'm actually lost for words........I thought my s1 restoration was a hard job!!

[peter_england99]

Andrew,

I second OMG. Glad you got out OK.

Regards,

Peter.

[Mark Blanchard]

Very sorry to hear about this Andrew. At least you're ok.

[Carlos Fandango]

That's scary. There's nothing left!

Glad you got out ok.

[Katie]

Shocking and dreadful pictures. Thank God you are okay.

[mayevora]

Crickey Andrew!!!!

Again glad you got out. What a nightmare sight!

Any smell of fuel beforehand?

Ian

[internets]

Very sorry to see that but the most important thing is your safe, cars can be replaced

[Andy67]

Those pictures have shocked me Andrew... Especially after driving best part of 300 miles in my car today. As other members have said, "glad you are ok"!

[Paul C]

Very sorry to see mate.

Have met you many times and liked your S3 as it was very similar to my old S3.

The third picture down is a real heartbreaker, i hope you get the insurance sorted

well and are happy enough to stay with the brand/model.

Been a long time since we had a member with a burned out car, might have even

been that S2 a few years back. it's always in the back of your mind though, only

yesterday i had the cat overheat warning come on the Elise, followed by a get you

home mode limiting me to 4000 revs. When i slowed and stopped to get it to cool

there was still that very 'lotus' thing going on in the rear view mirror, looking at the

engine cover to make sure all is well...

[arbell9]

Thats an OMFG set of pictures. Main thing is that you are safe and sound. But you have our sympathy , losing your car like that has got to hurt for real.

Alex

[jcbjs 260]

Very sad to see another lotus gone. Does anyone have a fire eater fitted to their esprit?

[david]

Utmost commiserations - what a painful sight!

Any idea where the leak could have come from to cause the fire?

[Jonathan]

That has to be one of the saddest sights.

Obviously goes without saying glad your OK which is the most important thing but to lose your car like that must be horrifying

I think all old carbd cars MUST have automatic extinguishers in them - thats way too many of I have hear not going up in flames (Paul there's been a few iirc) - I fear one day someone's not going to be as lucky.

Can't help but mourn the machine as well - sad loss.

[Advantage]

Oh dear. As said before, at least you're ok - that's the important thing.

[Backmarker]

Thats really sad.

Great that you managed to get out unscathed.

Brings home to me how lucky I was driving my V8 to the garage this week with a cockpit full of fumes.

"There but for the grace of God" springs to mind.

Hope you decide to stick with the marque once the insurer pays up

[tinywillyuk]

Having spoken to Andrew last night after the event and seen the pictures I'm still saddened. She looked great just last week at Goodwood.

But I think (I hope?) I can safely say that his sense of humour is just about intact - and maybe its in bad taste and flame me if you will but you only live once - so heck in this instance I think you could rename his car the Lotus Evapora - taking weight reduction to a whole new level.

[SimonE]

Sorry sight indeed, but you got out ok thats the important thing. Losing your Lotus is like losing a best friend

[cbclotus]

Gutted for you......................... Very sad pictures.Glad you are ok .Mike

[Iconic Ride]

I guess that's why the generic term is "Fire Engine Red," Andrew. Never thought it was meant to be taken literally.

On the bright side, you did enjoy the benefit of 5 and a half years of motoring excellence, and here's hoping that you find a suitable successor and remain within the community.

And now that you've been given a second chance at life, exactly what great things will you be looking to accomplish?

[andydclements]

Glad you got out, and were free of injuries. yes, it's another Esprit gone, but it's nothing to how it would have been if you or a passenger had been injured, so be thankful that it was just shocking and traumatising, not physically painful.

Andy

[Bibs]

I feel devastated for you Andrew, horrid sight. Good luck with the insurance and purchase of a new car, let me know if there's anything I can do to help.

[73JPS]

Sorry for the loss, glad you are okay. Those are at once spectacular and horrifying pictures. I wish you satisfaction from your insurance carrier, and hope you get another Lotus.