Essex Esprit

[nello]

[Loose Cannon]

Listed under Esprits at the movies on IMCDB is this shot of an Essex. Is the location as obvious as it looks? Monaco?

[nello]

That is an interesting shot Mark as yes that is the Casino at Monte Carlo and I'd bet my bottom dollar that that is also David Thiemes' LP400 Countach.........................

It was for sale a few years ago on the Lambo registry:

Essex Motorsport took delivery of Export Essex's (LHD) numbers 002 and 007 - the latter believed to be Thiemes own personal car and still thought to be in his possession somewhere locked away in Paris - so that Essex is one of those two - Chassis SCCFC20A0AHH10302 (LHD - 002) or SCCFC20A0AHH10303 (LHD - 007).

What was the shot listed under on the Movie Database?

[Loose Cannon]

http://www.imcdb.org/vehicle_697715-Lotus-Esprit-Type-79.html

To have both Thieme's cars in the shot hints that he was on good terms with, or been sought out by, the movie's producers.  Must admit I can't recall this shot, I loved the film as a kid but last time I tried to watch it in adulthood it was painful.

[nello]

Apologies if this has already been spotted but the ex Essex Sunbeam is up for sale: http://www.lap63.co.uk/#!sunbeam/c10il

I did not actually realise it was feasibly possible to spend £51k on a Talbot Restoration........

It also must be the only car I have ever seen that wears five different manufacturers badges : Talbot/Lotus/Sunbeam/Chrysler/Simca

Also another insight in to the lavishness of those Albert Hall Launches...........just as the band are tuning-up... That was some set for the Chippies to knock-up!

[stephenwhyte]

What a great piece attached to the advert for the sale of the Sunbeam. Really makes you wonder what life was like back then when life seemed so much more refreshing and boundaries were constantly being pushed. Life these days is just too safe? We don't seem to see much in the way of lavish now sadly........unless it's the Ecclestones or the Krappy Kardashians spending on themselves for fun!!!

I'm certainly going to check out the book that was mentioned at the bottom of the piece for some good old fashioned nostalgia?

Edit : book now purchased? Cheers Neil

Edited October 21, 2015 by stephenwhyte

[The Pits]

At Classic Team Lotus a few weeks ago.

[stephenwhyte]

Very nice Jonny?

I heard this was going to be the Lotus teams livery for next year if the Renault deal doesn't happen.........

Ha ha only kidding - would be cool though........even if the sponsors time has passed....?

 

Edited October 21, 2015 by stephenwhyte

[nello]

Nice one Jonny - I sat in that years ago at a Ketteringham Hall Open Day. I know the JPS livery still gets the plaudits every time but I still think the Essex colour-scheme looks sensational.......

[nello]

Gratuitously stolen from the Esprit FB page (pending OK) but have to share this as I've never seen before. I think thats KAH 540V which I have as the No.2 Development car............................

 

 

[Loose Cannon]

It's fantastic that unseen pics keep turning up of this great era. Where have people been hiding them?

[nello]

[Loose Cannon]

The Japanese fans don't seem to worry as much about modifying classics. Nice wheels but no better than the Compos IMHO.

 

[Jack Stone]

A few pics from the past:

Slightly battered development Essex KAH540V at RAF Mildenhall air show in the 80s.

 

Essex 018 217AD at SGT in Sept 81 (had to go down to see a Turbo Esprit in the flesh after being blown away by the machines in For Your Eyes Only)

Essex impersonator A56JAH at a Club Lotus Stoneleigh show (remember those?) in the 80s with BBSs – is this one still around?

Also, spotted this JPS S1 in the background of a BBC documentary about Team Lotus at the 1978 British Grand Prix. At that time, Mario was still to be crowned WC and the late, great Ronnie Peterson put his 79 on pole – by a quarter of a sec over Andretti!

Never recall seeing a black S1 of any description in the flesh.

[Loose Cannon]

Nice pics! Back in the day I seem to remember the Turbos and odd Essex I saw looking a bit careworn and badly treated too.

Do you think the amber beacon is big enough on the S1 JPS course car? Considering how high profile that must have been it's amazing how few pictures and memories of these cars survive.

[nello]

They also used an Elite at Brands..........

Heres Thieme again looking like a proper Hugo Drax!

 

 

 

[nello]

Not strictly Essex but as I'd mentioned about the Sunbeam .............. heres ACBC at the wheel of one - an image I'd not seen before:

[gvy]

The lotus esprit timeline at Brands Hatch 2013

Crappy cellphone , but I wanted to share.

 

Greets

Geert

[mayevora]

[Veilside]

On 30 November 2014 at 17:47, ESSEX_08 said:

Yes Steve I have double checked before I made the purchase of the 008 that the chassis number and engine number matches the registration and that both numbers matches the ESSEX database.
The chassis was without a doubt original but as for the body it was over a year ago I last checked.
If I remember correctly, I could not see any repair marks around rear quarter as shown in your photo.
But one of the door and the bonnet had red paint underneath the ESSEX coloring so at least some of the body parts weren't original anymore, and I would assume so from the damage it got from jumping over a river.

Hi Hiroki, An Essex owner from the UK is in Japan for Easter 2016 as asked me where you are in Japan would like to meet you if possible ?

Steve T 

[nello]

 

[The Pits]

As cool and interesting as the white Essex is, I have to say it just doesn't work for me going purely on aesthetics. I'm not at all tempted to convert my dry sump into a white Essex replica, even though it left the factory like one.

[Loose Cannon]

A white Essex lived near me for a while in the late 80s. Wish I had taken a pic or even jotted the reg number down just to see if it was one of the 2 or 3 known to be around now.

[nello]

I saw one (white) in the mid '90's at the Shuttleworth Collection summer day gathering......................May have a photo of it somewhere - though that one above is RHD even though its on French plates...

Edited March 17, 2016 by nello

[nello]

Not strictly Essex but heres that Elite again....