Time for a spruce up

[Mark Blanchard]

Well, after years of putting it off I've finally bitten the bullet and am getting my old girl resprayed. The car has been painted several times in the past by previous Owners, but the rear colour has faded faster than the front and although it looks ok it's not perfect. So I dropped my Esprit off with Andy today (who resprayed Sparky's car). He's going to be working on it for the next few weeks, so I'll keep this thread up dated with the progress.

Here's the before shot from this afternoon:

[matk]

There's something about the early Stevens shape that for me is ageing more gracefully than the newer models. Stunning looking car as is, and looking forward to seeing it looking even better afterwards.

[Mark Blanchard]

Yea, the early cars look good, nice clean lines. I'm hoping I like it when the sills are resprayed red .

[rogerch]

What's the little thing just above the side repeater light, looks like some kind of badge?

Roger

[stevem]

Maybe a good time to fit a spoiler, if you don't it will look just like Rogers.

[esprit s2]

No spoilers!!!

Am looking forward to seeing the results Mark, have already been in contact with Andy myself. Keep us posted!

[red vtec]

What's the little thing just above the side repeater light, looks like some kind of badge?

Roger

It is a badge, I think it says Lotus Design

[rogerch]

My chassis number is about 3 apart from Mark's, why haven't I got one.

[Bibs]

The box on the production line was emtpy?

[red vtec]

As Bibs said box was empty or sticker man was having a loo break.

SJ sell them

[Jonathan]

Very suprised to hear you're doing the whole lot red Mark.

[Paul C]

Me too. Not that i have a preference either way but i thought as such an 'early stevens' man he might have kept the seal grey sills.

I think Steve might be right, Mark could be swinging towards a big V8 wing, '02 round light conversion, undercar neons and alloy bits stuck all over the interior...

[red vtec]

Not all the Early Stevens came with the Grey Valance.

Mine has the V8 Wing, S4 Wheels and Sport 300 front bib. Just need the round lights...

[Bibs]

Chris, Paul is taking the piss. He's a beardy nerd when it comes to originality.

In Marks defence (which isn't really necessary) he has said he prefers the look of the car without the sills (it is his after all) and if in reality he would rather his were grey again he will get them painted. Seems everyone's a winner to me

[Mark Blanchard]

i thought as such an 'early stevens' man he might have kept the seal grey sills.

The car kind of looked cool with the old sagging springs, but now it's fitted with new springs/dampers it doesn't look low any more and to be honest it looks a bit odd. So I'm going for the 1987 N/A look and I'm hoping I'm going to love it.

[Sparky]

Ooooh yeah. Works for me! I think it'll look lovely.

[rogerch]

I'm in full agreement with Mark, and I much prefer the look without the grey sills. When it comes to badges, mine now only has the Lotus badge on the nose, no "Turbo Esprit" on the side, no other badges, stickers, decals, or pin strips, Just RED. Oh has no exterior aerial any more either.

[Jonathan]

'Tis a dark path along the road of modification you're treading on Mark....

...or should we call you.....Karl ?

Only kidding

[Paul C]

Only kidding

Hope you get away with it!

[Mark Blanchard]

There's nothing wrong with a few subtle modifications.

[Mark Blanchard]

Here are a few pics from Andy today showing how my car is progressing:

[Jonathan]

I need one of those wizzy wirly things.

Point of no return !

[red vtec]

Are you colour coding the door handles?

[esprit s2]

Doesn't that scare you when you see pictures of your car like that?! I know It'll turn out good in the end but I'd be worried!

[Mark Blanchard]

Doesn't that scare you when you see pictures of your car like that?! I know It'll turn out good in the end but I'd be worried!

8 years of expensive polishes and masses of time keeping my paint work in order and now it looks like that! Joking aside, Andy's doing a good job preping it and I'm looking forward to the final results.

Are you still thinking of getting your S2 done?

Are you colour coding the door handles?

No, I'll keep'em black. I don't have any problem with them looking like that.

Edited May 24, 2010 by Mark Blanchard