Esprit Picture & Video Thread

[Advantage]

Not so fast!  The door looks to have the pre-V8 flapper handles, so I am not even sure those are from a V8.

It's a 1984 bodyshell. (In places!)

[V8-ESPRITS3]

he kept all the good bits...........I love it

[60N4.7]

Had her professionally polished, etc. and final coating (two coats) of CQuartz.

mind blowing the difference. That CQuartz stuff if in a word A M A Z I N G ! They guy who did the work, Steve Hughes, coincidentally from the U.K.!, showed me how after it cures is hard like quartz.

I'm sure with A. Better camera skills, B. Better camera than iPhone 5 and C. taken outside, photos would be much

better

 

 

 

[johnpwalsh]

OK all you photo lovers, we had the S4 out for a good run up over the Highlands today but sadly only had the Galaxy phone with me for snap shots but heyho here they are.

 

Sunshine and showers.

 

 

Never let the grass grow under your wheels, keep em rolling.

 

[LOTUSGT]

Great Video on that KRB Esprit!

[andy b]

Changing the esprits on the ramp ran out of room so fitted a two poster to store them. NA just put back together after paint. Turbo my ebay purchase has not been on the road since 02 MOT next monday 27th oct 2014.

[stephenwhyte]

Loving the Turbo now Andy - looks great!!

[Jacques]

Both lookd really great. Not a bad background for a photo of each one

 

Cheers,

jacques

[andy b]

yeah needs a hair cut but i prefer to play cars LOL.

[hopo]

Just a morsel;

[iainskea]

Tease!

[Loose Cannon]

Porn.

[hopo]

Back when the Sun shone past 8 in the evening;

[Bazza 907]

Very nice indeed

[Mark Blanchard]

That really is an awesome looking beast!

[Simon350S]

Better than a new house I'd say

[cbclotus]

yes fab looking car Hopo.Cool ...Mike

[Andyww]

Finally finished fixing all the issues on this car which I bought as a project. First time out of the garage!

 

 

[PhilW]

Very nice.

[stephenwhyte]

Nice but for me it would be even better with black bumpers and mirrors as it would have been new

Edited October 26, 2014 by stephenwhyte

[andy b]

loving the red trim i think i have to many red cars but there again you can't have to many esprits what else have you to do, I mot tomorrow.

[ChrisJ]

A very good year.

 

There were two 82 cars with colour coded bumpers and mirrors ordered from the factory - yours could be one of them (mine isn't). You would have to check with Andy Graham at Lotus.

 

Chris

[Andyww]

A very good year.

 

There were two 82 cars with colour coded bumpers and mirrors ordered from the factory - yours could be one of them (mine isn't). You would have to check with Andy Graham at Lotus.

 

Chris

 

I will check but I dont think its one of these. The louvres are white also. I intend to put all back to original black. 

 

Someone has added a thin pinstripe at the top of the side and I will miss that if I remove it as I like it a lot. I also like the white mirrors. The "White Essex" I used to own also had white mirrors. I am tempted to leave them white.

[Mark Blanchard]

Looks great.  How does it compare to your 328?

[Andyww]

Looks great.  How does it compare to your 328?

 

Interesting question. 

 

The 328 GTS has a rather structurally weak chassis and the Esprit chassis is rock solid by comparison. Handling is better. Steering lighter on the Esprit mainly owing to the large scrub radius on the geometry.

The Esprit has the lovely turbo "whoosh" and "thwunk" of the wastegate and the kick in the back which the 328 does not have. In fact the 328 is rather dull in respect of engine sound although the V8 is smoother of course.

 

The Ferrari transverse engine/gearbox is a delightful unit though, if only Lotus had the resource to design something like it. The gear linkage is one straight shaft which runs from the lever right into the gearbox so the shift is of course better.

 

Pedal positioning is better on the Ferrari and the Esprit does not have a LH footrest which I really miss. The 328 interior is just boring though compared to the Esprit.

 

When driving, the Esprit has an air of solidity which the Ferrari does not have, but unfortunately the reverse is the case in reality when you examine the cars. The quality of components used on the 328 is far better. The doors close with a thud rather than a crash. The shutlines and panel fit is awful on the Esprit compared to the 328.

 

For working on, the 328 is MUCH easier, there is no comparison. Changing the cam belts on the 328 is a total breeze compared to the Esprit and everything is accessible and easy to dismantle and reassemble.  

 

I feel more relaxed driving the Lotus because I am not constantly worried about how many miles I am putting on the car and whether I might hit a fly or something , the 328 being a concours car which is rapidly appreciating, which is not totally a good thing.

 

Recently on Ferrarichat there was a discussion whether there was any car more head-turning for the cost than the 308/328. Of course there is. Everyone loves the Esprit and its probably a better kind of attention as Ferraris seem to have a "rich banker" cachet (which is nonsense of course in reality). The Esprit is worth less than a tenth of the 328 but is its equal or in some respects is a better car. In terms of "bang for the buck" there is no contest, the Esprit wins hands down.