Non Standard S4s

[lrg_machine]

Spoke to Andy Graham at the factory yesterday and something interesting came out about my car. Here's my initial email to Andy

Andy

I understand from "The Lotus Forums" it is possible to receive a provenance certificate for our cars, could you please tell me what info you need (VIN I assume) and also how much the service costs, how to pay etc.

My car actually seems to be a bit of an oddity in that is is an 1995 Esprit S4s but has later V8 gear change and GT3 / V8 braking system plus a few other bits that appear to be factory fit but not "standard" for an S4s, so as you can imagine I'd be very interested to find out a bit more about the car.

Here's Andys reply

We have recorded that you car was fitted with a ‘slave’ gearbox and CFC air conditioning which was not production fit at the time, and then passed to Lotus Engineering for the gearbox to be replaced. Any engineering work carried out will not be recorded with the build book. I have completed and put your certificate in the post tray. I will ask engineering if they remember your car and let you know if they come back with some knowledge of the car after my holiday.

So it would appear I have one of the Lotus development cars. Anyone any idea what a "slave" gearbox is?

[Rich H]

No Idea but ask if you can have it back?!?

[JAWS]

A "slave" component, is any part that they have lying around that can be fitted so that the rest of the car can be built. The part will then be replaced with the proper engineering or production intent part, when they have it.

[lotus4s]

Maybe the "slave" was the V8 gearbox and linkage and it was never swapped out of your car...

[lrg_machine]

Jim

That'a what I'm thinking, there's also the other bits and bobs that aren't "standard" like the braking system, and I also seem to have the Chassis from a sport 300 because it's got the mounting points for the cross braces which I don't think are on a normal S4s chassis.

Going to be interesting to see what details Lotus come back with.

[lotus4s]

I think it's very cool that you have a special one-off S4s.