game over...

[Barrykearley]

Is it a lovely grey by any chance???

Bet it feels great to be back in the saddle

[Exploded]

Just read this very sad topic, glad to read you are fine Filip. And that you at least found a new joy and you are bouncing back! Keep up the good spirits!

[gvy]

Good to hear you got yourself a new toy.

Time to sort this one out, learn to know it better , because it is still an esprit  and then enjoy it.

 

Don't rush on wrapping the roof black. I never saw the previous in real life, but on picture I like them better original.

But hey, it is your new ride and you should make it exactly as you like and dont pay attention to what I think.

 

Geert

[Vulcan Grey]

Congrats Filip! Glad to see you stuck with an Esprit SE:)

[Mike6]

Glad your ok but another Esprit leaving its country of birth???. At least that must make the value of my banger go up by 2p.

[Escape]

Glad your ok but another Esprit leaving its country of birth???. At least that must make the value of my banger go up by 2p.

 

I can understand your feelings... It does seem easier to find a good deal in UK. And for me, the RHD is part of the charm of driving a British icon. And I will bring het back to visit often. ;-)

[Escape]

Finally the time has come for some good news. After over a year waiting for the experts to agree to a value, the insurance has paid out (a barely reasonable amount I must add). Tomorrow I should get the building permit and then in 6 weeks construction can commence. It's all steel, so should be up real fast. Which means we'll be working dry and warm again this winter and my Esprit wont have to live outside anymore.

And space/facilities for another project! (funds allowing...)

Filip

[silverfrost]

Very glad to see a happy ending Filip to this terrible ordeal,  Thank your lucky stars you did not injured and look at your new esprit as a new challenge, cars can be replaced, people cant ,  Really pleased the insurance payed out also and hope your new workshop goes up swifty so you can get moved in and settled. 

[swindon_alan]

Great news Filip. Even though we met last year at Henley I had no idea that you had lost an Esprit

Fair play to the Belgian

Spring WHOBBE, waddya say?

[Escape]

7 hours ago, swindon_alan said:

Spring WHOBBE, waddya say?

Why wait until spring? Christmas shopping is always a good excuse to come over.

[gvy]

Filip,

I am already looking forward to a Lotus esprit minimeeting at the new workshop.

Something else. This weekend is the zoute grand prix ( Knokke Heist ) I think I will have a look there with a neighbour friend. You want to join?

Geert

 

 

[Escape]

I will definitely invite fellow-Lotus enthusiasts for the 'grand' reopening.   I could even provide indoor camping if anyone wants to travel to Belgium.

 

[cor]

Zie dit draadje nu pas Fillip.

Succes!! Eindelijk wat licht in de tunnel.

[Escape]

I realize it's 10 months since the last update. Unfortunately not much happened in that time. The old building was taken down easy enough (but still a bit later then hoped). Next the study for stability should have started, but the first company was forced upon me by the insurance company and just didn't make any progress. Early 2017 I dismissed them and got another company to do the job. That went reasonably well, but the end result showed the foundations had to be redone as well. Along with part of the concrete floor. This was my wish all along, but the insurance refused to pay for it. Because of new regulations, the new building will place greater strain on the foundations because it needs to be heavier. Which is considered an upgrade and therefor not covered by my policy. So I lost a lot of time trying to start from the existing foundation, only to have to resort to a full rebuild in the end.

Last week there was finally something moving in the right direction: the new foundations were built. The steel frame is already pre-assembled and will be painted this week. Next week it should arrive on site and construction will really commence. I'm very happy to see things finally advancing, but I have this nagging feeling I'll encounter many more snags before everything is completed... So at the moment I don't dare think of date for the reopening, we'll just take it one step at a time. At least the Lotus will be indoors and dry this winter and I wont have to work in the cold anymore. 

Greetz,

Filip

[silverfrost]

Glad things are starting to move in the right direction Filip, even if slowly 

[Escape]

After a month of construction (with some interruptions), this is the result. Looking like building again, and already offering some shelter from the elements:

My Esprit can just be seen, having a good look at her future home.

[silverfrost]

Holy cow Filip,   That is a shopping centre !  not a garage    Looks fantastic,  

[Barrykearley]

That's massive - I like it - a lot...

[swindon_alan]

Funnily enough, that's what my women say to me...

[Escape]

I'll only be using the front part, the rear will be rented out. With room for 2 lifts, 3 workbays, 3-4 indoor parking spots, about 200m² upper floor storage and a corner for myself to live in, it should just do.  It's exactly the same size as the old building, but we did manage to make the layout more efficient.

Very excited to see how far they've advanced when I drive up tonight.

Filip

[Arregueti]

And a corner for myself to live in...That sounds lîke an impressive man cave. Living the dream.

You are a strong contender for TLF's "man of the year" award. 

Congratulations! 

[silverfrost]

Totally agree Jorge with the " Man of the year award " for such things     Three or four car garage with a little living space above would be my dream home 

[Escape]

Actually, I started from this:

but then realized I don't cook, so squeezed in another workbay.

I have made provisions to make part of the first floor into a loft, when funds allow and if my better half would decide to move in.

[cor]

WoW!!

 

fillip, that is going to be great!!

enjoy the progress!

[Arregueti]

21 minutes ago, Escape said:

 

and if my better half would decide to move in.

You were doing fine all the way up to this point.

Seriously, enjoy it!