Esprit Picture & Video Thread

[Neal H]

Dropped my Jeep off at LG Motors in Swaffham for an MOT and in their showroom they have an S3 Esprit in bits. They’ve bought it to restore. Apparently it has sat unused for 16 years, but from what I could see it didn’t look too bad. The doors, engine cover and front hatch had all been removed and everything looked pretty solid, the interior actually looked pretty good for something left untouched for 16 years.

It is a 1981 NA S3 and they plan to repaint it in its original black (currently it’s white). They have some nice other ‘modern’ classics in their showroom, so I think they’ll make a good job of it. It’s nice to see another being brought back to life.

[Andyww]

Discovered some sad news, the company in Blackpool who did the bodywork restoration on my car has gone into liquidation.

Surface & Design were a group of ex-TVR guys plus one ex-Lotus. They will be greatly missed, I would have gone back there for any future fibreglass work on any project car. Where they excelled was in the detailing, fiddly bits such as cant rail and screen trim, bumper fit etc which very few people get exactly right.

[Bibs]

I remember Kato had an amazing job done by them on his Esprit when they first opened up 15 or so years ago. Sad news, they were excellent! 

Give the Beaconsfield Workshop a look, they're the most comparable in terms of quality if you need any more work done and are factory approved (and a lot closer!). 

[Mark Blanchard]

Surface & Design were well respected.  Shame.

37 minutes ago, Bibs said:

I remember Kato

I'd forgotten about Kato.  What ever happened to him?

[Bibs]

He grew his hair and got ripped! 

He's still running LEW, there are updates on there! 

 

[Jacques]

On 05/12/2020 at 21:30, Luc said:

Red

Yellow

Red

Yellow

Red

Yellow

A f*cking weekend under storm and sun

Looks and sounds like a totally normal Danish Summers day.

[Luc]

Haaaaa, Turtle Wax, the friend of old paints

Edited December 12, 2020 by Luc

[LOTUSMAN33]

That is looking superb Luc, what a lovely example a d LHD as well? 😎

Dave  

[Luc]

Original beige leather as well ! 🙃

 

this picture make you want jump into

Edited December 12, 2020 by Luc

[Gis]

At an Esso tie-in photoshoot with some Singapore classic car club members today. The lovely E-type is chassis #1 with the 4.2 litre engine. Nice contrasting colors.

[910Esprit]

The last photo has 3 of my bucket list cars

[Kevin Wheeler]

Interesting. Colour coded bumpers but black louvres. Respray?

[Gis]

32 minutes ago, Kevin Wheeler said:

Colour coded bumpers but black louvres. Respray?

Yes Kevin. It’s been resprayed by a PO. To be honest, yellow isn’t my cup of tea. I’m planning for a color change with correct black bumpers and mirrors soon. 

[Kevin Wheeler]

Mine has colour coded bumpers and louvres and I think it is a great look. 

Mine has been resprayed. No longer Lotus Ice Blue but pretty close.

[Gis]

I find that the colour coded bumpers make the car look longer and wider and somehow detract a little from its essential shape. This is of course a completely subjective and personal view. I do prefer the satin black bumper look and it will also be correct for an 83’ TE. After 4 years of ownership, I’ve pretty much gone through the whole car and I’ve invested a small fortune in parts and countless hours to get her to a good level. It was needed and worth it. The car is in great shape now, drives and sounds great. The upcoming respray will complete that journey. 

[PhilW]

On 15/12/2020 at 12:47, Gis said:

At an Esso tie-in photoshoot with some Singapore classic car club members today. The lovely E-type is chassis #1 with the 4.2 litre engine. Nice contrasting colors.

 

 

 

 

 

I love that yellow

[Dan E]

nearly there just needs a wax now. I won’t pretend this has been exciting or fun. The bonnet is actually uniform it’s a trick of light that makes one bit look dull. 
Got a yellow GT3 coming down next 

[Dan E]

I think this is day 11, my wife thinks I have lost the plot. I couldn’t do it for a living 

[eeyoreish]

Ah, so there are another 10 cars just out of shot. 

[LOTUSMAN33]

I’m shipping my JPS to you Dan, case of beer do it? 😂

[Dan E]

7 minutes ago, LOTUSMAN33 said:

I’m shipping my JPS to you Dan, case of beer do it? 😂

Dave happy to do it, I do it all by hand as too scared to use a machine so it takes forever, you need a decent playlist and once it is finished for the night gin, beer then wine. 

The problem with this approach is you wake up with a hangover and the only thing you don’t want to do is polish a car. The offer is there but let me fuck up Sparkles GT3 first 

[Chillidoggy]

I’d strongly advise against washing Sparky’s GT3; it’s only the dirt that’s keeping it together.

[Sparky]

[Dan E]

Anyone got any tips on how to clean/ polish the windscreen surround? Had a day off today but looks like I am going to have plenty of time on my hands 

[Barrykearley]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Autosol-Metal-Polish-75-ml/dp/B003XJ1ODM/ref=asc_df_B003XJ1ODM/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309775958298&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16011719649970069351&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1007256&hvtargid=pla-563996090104&psc=1&th=1&psc=1