Hello all, New to forum and to Lotus and a questio

[blackripley]

I just wanted ti introduce my self. Well I'm Mike from Santa Barbara CA. New to Lotus and I'm in the midst of acquiring a 85 Esprit Turbo.

Ok now for a question. Is it passable to a retrofit a sunroof to the 85'? I would like to keep with the original "Lotus" look not some cheap auto store drop in.

[jimmybondi]

I just wanted ti introduce my self. Well I'm Mike from Santa Barbara CA. New to Lotus and I'm in the midst of acquiring a 85 Esprit Turbo.

Ok now for a question. Is it passable to a retrofit a sunroof to the 85'? I would like to keep with the original "Lotus" look not some cheap auto store drop in.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi Mike, welcome.

Have a look at my atavar, here I have the roof panel removed.

As you can see, the factory fitted sunroof is the complete top section from rear hatch to windscreen, from left door to right. Any drop-in roof will not look right.

the factory roof can be tilted or removed completely, you cannot wind it back as on other cars.

[WayneB]

Hello Mike, like Jimmy has pointed out the factory sunroof consists of a whole different glassfibre moulding structure and outer panel. Installing a factory one would be a huge job and cost prohibative. I would buy an Esprit that already has one if you must have a sunroof (mine hasnt and I prefer it like that)

[jimmybondi]

...if you must have a sunroof (mine hasnt and I prefer it like that) 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well Wayne,

consider, he lives in Santa Barbara...

I love my tinted glass roof!

[WayneB]

Best reasons for no sunroof, #1 Sun burns hair off your head and makes you bald #2 Guys in pick ups use your car as an ash tray #3 In the event if a complete vehicular inversion , you will be showered with glass shards. #4 They leak causing interior to stink #5 Wind noise at high speed #6 Passing seagulls Sh1tting on your head #7 Compromises torsional rigidity of car . Best reason for sunroof, high poseur status B)

[jimmybondi]

Best reasons for no sunroof, #1  Sun burns hair off your head and makes you bald   #2 Guys in pick ups use your car as an ash tray    #3 In the event if a complete vehicular inversion , you will be showered with glass shards.    #4 They leak causing interior to stink    #5 Wind noise at high speed    #6 Passing seagulls Sh1tting on your head    #7  Compromises torsional rigidity of car  . Best reason for sunroof, high poseur status  B)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Best reason for a sunroof:

I don't have the Pioneer sound-sytem as installed in the Essex-Turbo, hence I do not need a fixed roof...

-If you are not feeling like a fighter pilot, make sure that you have at least a clear view to the sky -

[Paul C]

Best reasons for no sunroof, #1  Sun burns hair off your head and makes you bald   #2 Guys in pick ups use your car as an ash tray    #3 In the event if a complete vehicular inversion , you will be showered with glass shards.    #4 They leak causing interior to stink    #5 Wind noise at high speed    #6 Passing seagulls Sh1tting on your head    #7  Compromises torsional rigidity of car  . Best reason for sunroof, high poseur status  B)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

My glass one was the worst aspect of my SE, hated it, too hot.

hell if i lived in a REALLY hot place there is no way i would want

one

Then again, i wear T-shirts all year round and don't trigger

any infa-red detectors so it might just be me...

[blackripley]

Well thank you all for your insight

I'm still going to do some more research.

I'm mostly interested in the vent and removable aspects of the sun roof. So altho glass would be nice the fiberglass panel wold be fine.

[jimmybondi]

Well thank you all for your insight

I'm still going to do some more research.

I'm mostly interested in the vent and removable aspects of the sun roof. So altho glass would be nice the fiberglass panel wold be fine.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Considering that you are living in the 'Sunny State' I would say that a/c is mandatory in the Esprit. I believe PaulC would dehydrate immediately when stepping off the plane in LAX

That's why he is cursed to live in the land of the eternal fog.

[gpz900r]

Best thing to do is get a small cigarette powered fridge and just have icecreams in the car! Ive had an esprit with and without a sunroof and the it made no difference, I find that openning the wind will allow air to come into the car.

[Paul C]

Considering that you are living in the 'Sunny State' I would say that a/c is mandatory in the Esprit. I believe PaulC would dehydrate immediately when stepping off the plane in LAX 

That's why he is cursed to live in the land of the eternal fog. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Is so true that mate

Never, even since i was little, have i liked the sun/heat.

have not bothered mending the A/C in the Esprit, i had

really efficient A/C in my Toyota Supra, but on the hottest

days i did not use it, as it meant getting out of the car on

a hot day even more of an ordeal than it was without A/C!!!!

My idea of 'just right' is that day after tomorrow film. Everyone

freezing solid and cracking down the middle, and me, walking up

the pub in my T-shirt, with a slight sweat forming...

BTW, my sunroof is a direct Carbon fibre replacement panel for the Glass.

I'd do all the other glass too, but i would not be able to see where i was going.

[USAndretti42]

A G car and living in Santa Barbara? Nice!

[jimmybondi]

Is so true that mate 

Never, even since i was little, have i liked the sun/heat.

...

I'd do all the other glass too, but i would not be able to see where i was going.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Paul,

have you ever wondered where that lust for blood is coming from

and why you don't like garlic bread??? B)

[WayneB]

Hmmm, dont like sun/heat , but like icecream etc. Paul ,you and this guy are like brothers from different mothers

[Paul C]

 

Hmmm, dont like sun/heat , but like icecream etc.

Paul ,you and this guy are like brothers from different

mothers

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha

I like you, you're a funny guy

...i'll kill you last.