Poor old S2.2 couldn't leave it there..

[Matt-watts]

Went to buy some Lotus parts from a chap (as ya do), and seen a load of Lotus cars parked up all in a very poor state, After tip toeing round all the dog muck and rusty car parts I decided to have a good look at the Esprit S2.2 he had, Seconds later I seem to have made him and offer and we shook hands, Not sure why I brought it maybe I just felt sorry for the car and maybe I have just crossed to the wrong side of 40, I'm not sure, but its at home, I've had it a few weeks now and I getting to really like it !

 

 

The leather interior is without any rips so I was going to re-dye it the light creamy colour, this is something I have never done before so would welcome and advice.

 

 

 

 

I have decided to strip it all to bits and have it repainted dark metallic blue and keep it. Well you cant have to many Lotus cars can you ?

 

The car seemed really original and with only a after market steering wheel to spoil that.

With each part that comes of needing work it looks like I will be doing a total restoration

I have had it up in the air and the chassis looks all good with no break in the galvanized coating even near the Exhaust manifold.... Phew

 

The engine is now all in bits because of the 15 thou crank end float it had... good old early 2.2 engines, I will do the 2.2 thrust mod as per the manual and rebuild it with new bearings, rings valves ect. The car has only 46k on the clock I have all the old MOTs and it seems correct.

 

 

 

I have my paint man removing all the old paint,I have been doing all the fiberglass repairs, I don't like its original colour, However I like to keep my cars as original as possible and even use the same size/shape and type screws as original, however to me if the original purchaser  ordered the car in a colour I don't like I will happily rectify their mistake !

 

 

With each part that comes off I seem to say "yay that's so much better than the one that came of my S1" lets hope that continues

 

Will keep you posted how it all pans out

 

Matt

[Mark Blanchard]

Fantastic!  Glad to see another Esprit back from the grave and that interior looks in good nic.  Is that black S2.2 still there then?

[Matt-watts]

The black Esprit is a S2 not a S2.2 but it is still there, its pretty past it, I had its good original front bumper off it for on my car (I could take the parts of it, was part of my deal) there is no interior at all,chassis very rusty, many parts are missing, you would have to be very brave (and rich) to take it on.

[jonwat]

Looks great fun, keep up the good work

[Simon350S]

Well done Matt, hope she's as lovely as the S1 you did.

Any interesting history from the factory?

[Loose Cannon]

Wow, how many hours are in one of your days? Or are yours double days like ACBC; "today, tonight, tomorrow, tomorrow night.." So many projects and yet none are skimped

 

Sure the end result will be lovely, although have to say I like the original colour (red or copper?). It looks to have been cared for at some point, posh Blaupunkt stereo and all, and looks a bit familiar?

[esprit s2]

I'm amazed by the time and effort you put in to these cars Matt! Looking forward to seeing the outcome of this one.

[Dunc]

Is the yellow eclat in that yard a breaker?

[Kimbers]

Matt, as always your dedication to the cause is awesome! Was going to ask the same question about the Éclat!

[iainskea]

Nice work! Keep up the picture diary

[MarkBa]

Thanks Matt! I only own a Europa S2 because I was inspired by your Europa twin cams chassis change at home

thread.

 

Recently I have been considering an s3 esprit local to me that has a seized engine. Its white and reminded me of

your S1 resto in the classic cars magazine -  I was just thinking about it, logged into Lotus Forums and here you are again

inspiring me! I'm easily led...

[peteyg]

Great work Matt! Glad she's turning out to be a good base.

 

Wish I had the ability to get as much done as you seem to be able to in such a short space of time. I'm sure you've got it covered but let me know if there's anything else I can help with.

 

Pete

[vintaylor]

Hi Matt,

 

Any chance of me buying a few parts of the other black parts car?

 

On the hunt for a seat belt and original radio if possible

[CharlieCroker]

Very jealous, looks like a great project. 

[jonroberts]

Come on Matt - what about some update photos ??  It's been four months - you must be almost finished now 

[wachuko]

Just came across this thread... happy to see another one rescued.  

 

And too bad that place is not here in the USA... I could use that rear hatch from that black car... and the side rear qtr windows, and... lol...

[Tocus]

want to see some more pictures!! Great topic!

[Matt-watts]

Why is there a picture of  an early S1 In a S2.2 restoration I hear you ask  !

Well my plan to have the car finished by Easter has gone by the way of the fairies,  I agreed to finished the restoration of a early S1 Esprit for a friend  and this has took a lot of my time already and I think it will take me up to May to have the car finished if I don't find more major work.

 

Any way back to my cars progress....

 

A bit of a worry was the cars VDO clock It was dead, so I took it to bits, I'm an electronics geek and as I'm getting on a bit, most of the components are of my era, so with a bit of soldering and some components we had on the shelf at work I repaired my clock phew...

 

 

I rebuilt the heater as it was a job I could do indoors on the many cold winter nights of late, I brazed the brass heater matrix  tanks back to like new and put it back with remade seals (sorry I dont have a finished picture I put it all back together before I had remembered ...)

 

I seem to have got quite used to working on things in the house and they when my wife suggested I bring in my newly  painted chassis and work on it by the open fire, I realized I had married a good  woman.

 

 

Yes to those eagle eyed, they are Elan seats underneath it, My wife is timing them for my S3

 

I have made up and fitted the bake pipes, fuel lines and clutch pipe, I'm going to fit the sound deadening material on the back bone this weekend and do the rear hubs if I have time

 

The engine is half done below the thrust mod just been done

 

 

 

The head is next to be fitted,I had it aqua blasted new guides fitted and skimmed, I had to fit  inserts to some of the Exhaust stud threads, so just the core plugs to be fitted and an oil restrictor (I always fit one in the main oil way in the head)

 

 

 

I would love to show you pictures of the body shell finished but it isnt, However its getting there all the fiber glass work is done just some more sanding and it should be in primer soon.

 

 

 

I have lent a friend my air compressor so I can't  blast and paint any more parts to go on my chassis, so I may have to take parts somewhere, I just always worry about parts being lost 

 

Its hard putting your own cars restoration on the back burner and work on a friends car but I am enjoying working on such a nice S1 again !

 

Will try and keep you updated more ....

 

Matt

[Bibs]

Lovely work as ever so far mate

[Simon350S]

Chassis in the house, awesome!

That's on a par with my engine in the dining room and parts in the dishwasher.....!

[peteyg]

Great work Matt. Keep it up!

 

Pete

[Freemason]

Awesome job on the clock. Mine was missing from my S2 when I bought it and I'm still on the hunt for an original one, dead or alive...

[series_one]

Im in awe.  So much understated skill

 

   

[V8-ESPRITS3]

so whats the deal with the black esprit? is it still available? I`m not rich or brave just crazy!

[Matt-watts]

Hi Rob no my 13 year old son Jake brought the Black esprit and we are restoring it together we have just finished rebuilding the engine.

Back to my car. I have been a little lazy with posting my progress  .

Well While the body was at the painters I finished the chassis components, suspension and the brakes.

I  rebuilt the engine and the gearbox

Sarah (Wife) has trimmed all the panels that had gone all grim looking. I'm planning to recolonize the existing leather as its pretty good I just hate the leathers colour which is oatmeal, I'm planning to change it to cream with a black binnical and carpets.

I fitted the engine in the chassis a couple of months ago I'm really looking forward to hearing it run

 

The chassis ready for the body shell to pop on

Body in black primer to check for shape inperfections

It was a long time in painting as I wanted to wait for the fibre glass work I had done to settle and cure properly

This is how it looked in the bright lights of the spray booth

I was really happy with the job they did, I'm a bit of a perfectionist but I could not find fault with it.

Out the booth with indoor lights

When I collected the body shell I brought the chassis and popped the body on as there was a 2 post lift next door I was able to borrow for 1/2 hour it was really handy.

I'm borrowing Jakes Esprit wheels as I have not decided on tires yet for my wheels yet

 

The car back at home, its just great when you suddenly have a body on a chassis, its like you get your car back not just a heap of parts

(Yes I know my garage needs tidy ...)

 

Fire extinguisher is now getting fitted, my fuel tanks are in, I'm starting to put it back together, I would like it finished by Easter but with restoring Esprits for customers its hard to find the time to work on my cars.

I always wanted a S2.2 Esprit and have really enjoyed every step of the way so far with my car.

At the moment I'm trying to fit my jeep Cherokee aluminum radiator its full width it looks a great buy £65 !

Will try to keep this topic more up-to-date

Matt