129G breathes fire once again!

[Paul Coleman]

I had a little Esprit S1 get together yesterday to try and start my car (for the first time since 1989). In attendance were Matt Oxley, Martin Folkes, Jon Roberts and Mike Dickison. Here are Jon's, Martin's and Matt's cars...

You don't see an S1 for ages and then three turn up!

 

Jon's is looking good with its new paint job...

Although he did have to limp home after his alternator packed up when he was half way to mine.

 

Martin's car is also a very early one (108G) and you can see it at the back here...

 

This is my car...

With Matt's behind...

 

After a bit of a fight it reluctantly started no thanks to a couple of mistakes on my part with the carbs which Matt sorted out. The carbs need setting up but we ran out of time and enthusiasm towards the end.

 

The bad news is there's water in the oil. I paid to have the engine rebuilt but things don't look good...

 

There's also a water leak under pressure which neither I nor Matt could find and the timing belt has started to cut through the pipe on the water pump.

 

So two steps forward and one back this times as opposed to the other way round! But at least the thing didn't go bang

 

Thanks to all the Lotus boys for their efforts yesterday.

 

Paul.

[Advantage]

Despite the teething problems (which I know you'll be able to fix) that's pretty damn cool!   

[Don.Hasi]

The pictures and the fact that 129G is back alive are pretty good news. Hope, you get the rest quick and without costs sorted.

[Barrykearley]

Wow - that's a driveway of beauty.

All the very best of luck with the engine issue - fingers crossed for you it's something simple

[TAR]

That is excellent news overall. After such a mamoth job you must be starting to feel the love.

 

:happy:

[mayevora]

Nice set of pics. Good luck with the fixing.

[Alec Grimsey]

Wow! Some great looking cars all in one place and well done Paul for getting her going, I am sure you will resolve those issues quickly.  I bought mine in 1989 as a non runner and after many hours of work, engine rebuild etc it passed its MOT Jan 2014.  They are just fantastic and totally worth all the effort.  Good luck and please keep posting to keep us all up to date.

[nello]

Ditto the above comments - great to see

[richard100]

Just returned to the forum after a few years in the lotus wilderness! Some great pics Paul...love the orange paintwork on jons car... Good to see some progress! Mine is back in the garage (post wedding party drive... See pics I've put up on picture thread... It's due out again now the weather is good. It's the dampness that affects these cars...to all those s1 owners who have their cars on the road... Just how often do they go wrong?!