ANOTHER S1 BACK ON THE ROAD today after 18 years!

[philleech]

Ive got the tyres that are currently on my speedlines that Im going to swap over. Toyos on the back and Yokohamas on the front.

Phil

[rocket63]

Very nice

[Freemason]

Gorgeous car, in one of the nicest colours for the S1, but that S2 spoiler has got to go. Kills the lines and wedge shape of the car, especially side on. And that's coming from an S2 owner!

[philleech]

If you can find me a pair of S1 lower front wings I would seriously consider it.... Phil

[Freemason]

If it were mine I would make it a mission and get it done. Would look so much better.

Have I mentioned that I love the colour? S1 looks even more futuristic in that shade of silver. I guess it wasn't for nothing that the original show car was like this.

[deanb]

Phil I love it. Any chance I can persuade you to bring it to Chatsworth for the Lotus in the Peak event in July? Winners is bringing his!

I just love s1 Esprits.

By the way did any of you s1 owners & lovers see the comment I put on the Lotus in the Peak thread? about the famous s1 now owned by a very famous comic/actor? Is it common knowledge?

Edited March 31, 2015 by deanb

[CharlieCroker]

Looking splendid, enjoy it, it's been a long wait!

[philleech]

....And now Im happy to report that Practical Classics have done a 7 page article on the car in this months magazine!

Fame at last 

[Loose Cannon]

Have I mentioned that I love the colour? S1 looks even more futuristic in that shade of silver. I guess it wasn't for nothing that the original show car was like this.

 

So futuristic they had a spaceman on the show stand!

 

 

Will any car ever look as big a leap forward in design again?

By the way did any of you s1 owners & lovers see the comment I put on the Lotus in the Peak thread? about the famous s1 now owned by a very famous comic/actor? Is it common knowledge?

 

No, just spill it, subtlety doesn't really work on this forum

[Mark Blanchard]

That's from the 1975 Motor show.  The daft commentator didn't have anything to say about the Esprit other than space.  I do like the TVR stand though.

 

http://www.movietone.com/N_POPUP_Player.cfm?action=playVideo&assetno=105217

[deanb]

Steve Coogan!

[Paul Coleman]

Steve Coogan!

Wonder if he'll keep it longer than Chris Evans kept his?

[NickS]

Wonder if he'll keep it longer than Chris Evans kept his?

When I bought my Esprit from Scott Walker two years ago, he told me that the designer at the factory just pipped Steve Coogan to the post for the White S1 he had for sale.

[RedEspritS2]

S2 wheels & front spoiler - can only mean Colin Chapman's personal S1

[philleech]

S2 wheels S2 spoiler and a confirmation letter from Lotus can only mean one thing...... Colin Chapmans S1. Sorry.

 

Phil

[RedEspritS2]

Just glad you kept it that way - most would have been tempted to retrofit the front bib spoiler and the wheels to S1 spec, especially someone who wanted a Bond replica. This is a seriously important S1, I wish it was mine, a piece of history. Hats of to you.

Very best regards

Bill

Edited June 13, 2015 by RedEspritS2

[masymas]

Nice, I have VEX298S so probably from the same dealership. Although mine is a basket case.... but wont always be :-)

[philleech]

Best of luck in getting it back on the road. There are a lot of us on here that have undergone full restorations so dont be afraid to ask us anything that might help you out.

Phil

[philleech]

6 months on....

Ok so Ive now done 300 miles in my car since being back on the road and should clock up another 100 on Sunday as were going to capesthorne car show in her and then another 300 mile round trip to Cosby in September to see the Vulcan flyby. The slight oil leak sounds like its coming from the powerspark dizzy having just read that other owners have the same issue and Ive tracked the tiny gearbox oil leak to the drain plug. Once I get to a 1000 miles I will get a torque wrench on everything. The most annoying feature is a loud squeek that sounds like fibreglass flexing or rubbing. Its only noticeable at slow speeds on rough roads and I can reproduce it slightly by bouncing the front right of the car....might be the rubber bumper thing on top of the damper....Drivers door window is getting even slower now so the relay modification suggested elsewhere on this forum is on the list of jobs to do along with checking the framework curve in case Ive got some of the spacers wrong.

Good news is that having read about the firey downfall of other Esprits I have now fitted a lifeline fire extinguisher system under the engine cover with a trigger in the cockpit. Hopefully I wont ever need to test it. Satellite tracking system also now installed and again hopefully I wont ever need to use it but at least I can test it without covering the engine bay with foam.

Still get a silly grin on my face when taking her out and might even fit the baby seat on Sunday so my little girl can ride shotgun with Daddy.

[philleech]

Practical Classics mag have launched their restoration of the year award for another year and Im proud to say that my Esprit is one of the nominations. The top ten cars will appear at the Practical Classics show at the NEC in March so if anyone fancies seeing an S1 there feel free to vote accordingly.

Cheers

Phil

http://www.restoreroftheyear.co.uk/

 

[philleech]

My Esprit has got through to the last 10 cars for Practical Classics Restoration show so if anyone is coming to the NEC next weekend come and say hello 

Phil

[Paul Coleman]

Well done. When's the result?

Best of British to you.

[philleech]

The result is revealed at the show and is down to the shows visitors voting.

[mayevora]

A nice present from the wife just arrived in the post today. 👍😁

[Freemason]

Nice! What brand is the model?