1988 Esprit Production Line Photographs

[GavinT]

A little while ago, I was given as a present a couple of ring binder files that came from a Lotus dealership in Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA. - Criswell Chevrolet. The content of the binders is dated 1988 - 1990.  Amongst the binders pages were a series 4 x 6 original photographs that chronicled the Esprit production line. Each photograph had a label stuck to it describing what it depicted. Today I had sometime so I thought I would scan them and post them. Think that today was the first time in over 20+ years that the photographs were removed from their presentation sleeves. Not sure if this is a one of set or part of a promotional bundle for US dealers of the time. Anyways, I hope you enjoy......

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 9, 2013 by GavinT

[ramjet]

Enjoyed going through that Gavin. I'd say you have something there that a fair few people will be jealous of.

 

I wonder whether they still hand rubbed between the 8 coats of paint when my S4 was made. Finish on my car is not fabulous unfortunately.

[cbclotus]

Thanks for posting.Great pictures....Mike

[ChrisJ]

very enjoyable.

[Vanya]

Amazing!

[PhilW]

Excellent.  Very interesting. Thanks

[Loose Cannon]

5th shot down - I can see where Lotus's "repair sections" come from!

 

Fascinating, thanks a million for sharing

[fjmuurling]

Something to be proud off.

[markw996]

Thank you for posting these, very interesting

[Bibs]

Very nice, thank you for sharing

[04ESPRIT]

Gavin,

I can't thank you enough for scanning and posting all of these.

They're fantastic. It really hits home just how 'hand made' and 'hand fabricated' so much of the Esprit really is!

Really really cool!

Thanks so much for sharing your find with us!

Derik

               

[78esprit]

VERY COOL! THANKS FOR THE EFORT IT TOOK TO POST THIS.. RICH

[GavinT]

I'm really glad you are all enjoying the photos. I new I had something unusual. Nice thing about technology is that it allows sharing stuff like this pretty simple.

[s4simon]

Top Stuff Gavin.

 

 

I wonder whether they still hand rubbed between the 8 coats of paint when my S4 was made. Finish on my car is not fabulous unfortunately.

 

Ours are pretty close together - build wise, and my paint job is pretty good.  I would say that your paint shop guys were probably on a smoko break, and missed a few steps.

[The Pits]

Great post!

 

 

[Jacques]

Thanks for sharing. Very interesting to see.

My only hope is that they would make them today... Not going to happen I suppose.

 

Does anyone know just how strong the metal construction plus body bolted together are, against a similar year ordinary all metal sports car?

 

Kind regards,

Jacques.

Edited November 9, 2013 by Jacques

[Bibs]

VARI (Vacuum assisted resin injection) system. One question I have is, I have read in many accounts the factory used this new process when making the body parts, but I have also read they never got it to work so all the body's where hand laid? Does anybody know any more about this?

 

These pics answer that Buddsy. When we took possession of the moulds there was even an Esprit body still in there! 

[pitstoppete]

Superb stuff. Many thanks for taking the time to post those. Love it.

[rudolphwolven]

Many thanks for posting, Gavin. Great pictures....

Ruud

 

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[mayevora]

Best set of new 'old' Esprit production line photos to come to light for quite a long time Gavin.

Thanks v much.

[jonwat]

Well done, enjoyed that. Thanks

[PilotSteve]

as said before thank you for taking the time to share

[johnpwalsh]

Brilliant set of pics especially for us who have never seen the process, well done for taking the time to share with all of us.

[lotusesprit1]

Thank you for posting those, very interesting

[S4Denver]

Great Pic's, Thanks for sharing!

Those engine's sure were pretty when new, before the cam towers leaked