Twenty years of hibernation

[Bazza 907]

Okay I'm cheating as I'm posting this in the restoration room and it's not restored but as I'm not great at using spanners I thought I'd show what I can do - clean and polish

 

Car coming out after 20 years - the before

 

Car after I've spent rather a lot of time cleaning the bodywork - the after.

 

Judging by recent ebay results I would have been better off leaving the dust on her but I've enjoyed doing it.

 

Just need to get Gerald at GST to do all the real work and bring her back to life - hopefully in the Autumn.  

Edited January 31, 2014 by Bazza 907

[Loose Cannon]

You had that just lying around the place for 20 years? Are you the Sultan of Brunei?

[Bazza 907]

I wish..

No the chap who was selling it put it away as the clutch had stuck and he never got round to doing anything with it.

[rocket63]

Great looking car Baz.

[LOTUSMAN33]

Cracking job Barry, I owned a black and gold turbo in 1993 just like yours, it was wet sump and now showing as exported on the DVLA site.

Does it still run?

Dave

[Bazza 907]

Dave

I've not tried to start it. I know my limitations and would prefer to let Gerald at GST do all that and MOT it.

 

I will probably look to sell it once it's all sorted as I just don't get the time to drive the other cars and use them as I should.

 

It has been great fun bringing the bodywork back to near perfection. I've been really surprised how well the paintwork responds to, admittedly hours and hours of, cleaning and polishing. 

 

Of course having done the bodywork I then felt I had to get the wheels refurbished which are now like new. It's got a mint full black leather interior and no 1980's sunroof ! It is a really cracking car 

[LOTUSMAN33]

Looks stunning so should fetch good money when ready, you must have patience!

Tempted myself but no I need to wait for an Essex...

Is it a wet sump car? What year is it?

Dave

[ramjet]

Bloody hell! That looks to be in great nick!

[Bazza 907]

Its a dry sump 1981 registered car.

 

Happy to post some more pics up if you want to see them - before or after or both? 

[LOTUSMAN33]

Pics would be great

[Bazza 907]

Here you go

 

Before

After

 

 

 

 

[Andy Esprit SE]

Fantastic, you've done a brilliant job, I love scrubbing.my car till it feels silky smooth on the paintwork, autoglym hd wax works for me

[Bibs]

Very nice

[t70]

Wow! Awesome job!

[LOTUSMAN33]

What a beautiful example, nice garage too!

[cbclotus]

Wow .you have. Done a great job barry.looks fantastic mike

[Bazza 907]

Thanks for the positive comments. I'll update again once it is running.

 

Just need to start saving for what will be a fairly chunky bill to get it running after 25 years - I thought it was 20 but it was actually put away in that garage in 1989 when it was just 8 years old. 

[skiing]

Hey Barrie, It does look lovely - matter of interest, where did you get your wheels re-done? I have a set which I would like sorted. Henry

[Bazza 907]

Henry

I used this company

BVJ aka Wheel Refurbishing

based in Flaunden Herts post ode HP3 0PQ. Tel 01442 834169

 

I had read mixed reviews beforehand so was a bit nervous but when I picked them up I was very pleased - good price too.

 

They did try to dissuade me from getting the wheels lacquered but it was the original finish that I wanted.

[Bazza 907]

Sorry its BJV not BVJ

[robington]

Awesome Barrie!

I am really looking forward to giving mine a really good polish, but am waiting until I get it running and MOT'd

I just love the thought that there are people who keep an Esprit locked away for 20 odd Years and then one day it is revealed !! Mine was hidden away in a lock up for 15 years...

Edited February 3, 2014 by robington

[dodge1979]

Truely looks wicked...and yet im still searching for my "locked away for xx years" find. ..

[hopo]

Barrie that looks fantastic, lets have more photos please, is there something wrong with the back of the car?!?!

 

Get that thing up to Uncle G and get it running its a crime not to.

 

H

[Bazza 907]

Barrie that looks fantastic, lets have more photos please, is there something wrong with the back of the car?!?!

 

Get that thing up to Uncle G and get it running its a crime not to.

 

H

 

Nothing wrong with the back - only if I push it out I'd never be able to push it back in !!

 

 

Edited February 4, 2014 by Bazza 907

[cbclotus]

Looks  fab................Still think your S3 is a super looking car....................Mike ps Love the Essex as well......