Wanted - S3 in good condition

[SteveS3]

Hello,

I'm looking for an S3 as a project / restoration project. The car must be mechanically sound and have no known major faults, or any history of accident damage etc, be HPI clear and have a decent history file / receipts etc.

I'm in Aberdeen but am willing to travel. Thanks!

[scottmgibb]

I've got a 'spare' Esprit out near Aboyne (the red one to the left), but I can't exactly say it has no accident damage... Cat C's not that bad though... right? New body (maybe chassis) and it will be just perfect!

Will be good to get another Esprit up this end of the country though - if you want a nosey around one or anything (I have another) then just let me know.

By the way, I was looking at this the other day, and thought it looked quite interesting - http://www.thelotusf...tid=4&Itemid=88 - not very near though...

Scott

[SteveS3]

Hi Scott,

Can you give me some more info on the 'spare' Esprit you have - is it mechanically sound? You mention the chassis - do you have an insurance engineer's report on the car?

Thanks, Steve

[scottmgibb]

Steve,

The car was written of Cat C, and to be honest is pretty bad. The main problem though is not the condition of the car, but the fact that the engine, carbs, gearbox and exhaust are worth the best part of £2500-3000 to me - just not necessarily anybody else. When you compare that to the value of the car I posted earlier, I could probably never sell it to you at a price that would be financially worthwhile to either of us!

The shell has some major breaks - not least where it has previously had a back section replaced - and would take some SERIOUS fiberglassing to put back together. You would really need a replacement shell. Bumpers could be fixed, but again a lot of work. One sill is ruined, the other ok. One door is split, the other ok. All glass is intact. Chassis is potentially ok, but I still need to have a good look. The suspension elements seem to have taken the hit. Both front wheels are bent, and I think one of the back ones too. Suspension needed replacing anyway - which may help explain something... The interior was pretty rubbish and would need re-trimming too.

I guess realistically you would need to through somewhere between £3 & 5k at the car to get it usable again - assuming you do all labour yourself.

To be fair, the car was not that great in the first place, never mind now! Though, if you want to come and have a look then let me know.

Scott

[SteveS3]

Thanks Scott, it's really a rolling project I'm looking for and that sound like a lot of work (and ££s)!

I'll maybe take you up on your offer of a look at your other Esprit sometime, and I hope to have my own in the next few weeks. The problem now is that I am being tempted by a rather nice 944 Turbo which is in Aberdeen.. I'll try to resist..

[scottmgibb]

944 Turbo would be very nice - I have a 924S (924 body / 944 N/A engine & chassis) and it is a lovely car to drive. It just needs a bit more power! Esprit is a lot sharper though. Go from a 'normal' (boring) car into the porsche and it feels great. But go from the Esprit back into the Porsche and then it feels like the 'normal' (boring) car....

Scott