The birth of LotusRescue

[Greg | ValetPro]

On 12/02/2021 at 19:52, eeyoreish said:

You’re welcome to come and valet the current Mrs H’s Merc ML if you want to create some before and after video content. She has horses so it’s a dusty mess in there 🐴☹️

Nice and local. Chichester, West Sussex!

Clearly I need to be careful what I offer on a public forum:)  Not the barn find we are looking for.  But I do know how bad car get when the owners have horses.  In a past life I was a mobile Valeter. I had many customers with horses and thous cars we interesting.  For us we would likely need to ML for a couple of days to get the video work done and we would only do this if Mark our Marketing guy feels this would help us in creating a video of useful content to our customers.  If you can live without the car for a couple of days let me know and I'll find out if this is of interest.

[eeyoreish]

It's not like we're using it a lot at the moment (!) so if you want it for a couple of days it should be fine.

[johnpwalsh]

So. The 2nd major hands on restoration is ongoing for LotusRescue. And this one is for a very important client, so important that I have to make extra sure it is all one 101%. So far, interior completely stripped out. That was a task. Bodywork, every removable part removed for painting. Every metal plate, nut, bolt, screw, washer being replaced with CAD plated or stainless steel where available. This is going to be a cracker and this client is demanding she be finished to the very highest quality.

Who's the client that he is so import. ME, my own car for a change.

She has been sitting in the sidelines for the past 4.5 years and a slot became available in a local, very highly respected paint shop, so I took the chance. 4 full Auto quality hides purchased direct from the tanners, so they are all a perfect match. The interior is now in Englandshire as I have entrusted the work to Andy at Phoenix auto re trimmers, again, Andy came as a recommendation. Bit of a distance away from me, but as he has  knowledge of Esprits, and the recommendations, I thought it worthwhile. 

Carpets all done by Steve Margary and his Mrs, all trimmed in the same leather, complete with gear lever gaitor and hand brake cover. Fantastic price and very well finished. The headlights will be a little bit of a surprise for an S3 turbo of her vintage, already bought and ready to fit, but time will tell how they look before final fitting. You can wait for the next update on that one.

I have been lucky in the respect that there was no damage on the shell after have been sitting for a total of 9 years. Lets just hope the rest of the resto goes as well as the pain job.

Anyone want to volunteer to re fit the dash. Guess not.

[johnpwalsh]

Before. As found.

[Kevin Wheeler]

Lovely looking Esprit. Just need to colour code the louvres!

[johnpwalsh]

18 hours ago, Kevin Wheeler said:

Lovely looking Esprit. Just need to colour code the louvres!

Originally Black Kevin.

 

[Kevin Wheeler]

But so much better looking when colour coded in blue IMHO!

[C8RKH]

Oh, nooooo!

Sorry, not a fan of the colour coded louvres.

[Kevin Wheeler]

Well one of your opinions had to be wrong sometime @C8RKH!

[exeterjeep]

31 minutes ago, C8RKH said:

Oh, nooooo!

Sorry, not a fan of the colour coded louvres.

I agree, black is better here.

[johnpwalsh]

1 hour ago, exeterjeep said:

I agree, black is better here.

So, the vote is on. To be politically correct. The louvres are not to be color coded with the car, but to remain the same as original.

[Barrykearley]

What’s wrong with white?? It’s good enough for Prince Harry

[exeterjeep]

What is the view taken when some paint the wording on the rear bumper?

How about the same colour as the louvres?

[C8RKH]

3 hours ago, Kevin Wheeler said:

Well one of your opinions had to be wrong sometime @C8RKH!

Most of the time Kevin. Most of the time they are wrong.

[johnpwalsh]

A little bit more progress on the S3. The deal with the paint shop was, any parts they had to take off, they had to refit. This included the doors and door handles. So today they sent me a couple of updated pics. Door's fitted.  And the Louvres are remaining BLACK.

Anyone notice the E type tub in the background. These guys are building a complete car from the remains of bits, and I mean bits. Most parts having to be hand formed to original. The huge bonnet I think has four pieces to it. Don't fancy the cot of that one.

[Kevin Wheeler]

Are you saying Black Louvres Matter?

 

 

(Someone had to say it!)

[johnpwalsh]

So now we are getting political. MMm, ok what about my quandary of Gold, Silver or Black graphics.

So  today I get a call from the paint shop asking if my trailer is available to collect the S3 tomorrow. But of course it will. I can be at your gate at 8.00 AM.

[Kevin Wheeler]

I like the silver on mine.

 

[MPx]

I prefer the "none" on mine - which is actually as ordered and delivered from the factory.

[johnpwalsh]

So, she is home and in her cocoon until I can get back at her for more work.

[C8RKH]

Just lovely @johnpwalsh. Bet you were bouncing around like a kid in Hamleys!

[johnpwalsh]

12 hours ago, C8RKH said:

Just lovely @johnpwalsh. Bet you were bouncing around like a kid in Hamleys!

Oh yes. Jut a little bit. 

[johnpwalsh]

Folks. I've been asked several times, why don't I set up a You Tube feature detailing some of LotusRescues, recovery's, what we done with them (One in Australia, One in Germany and two in France to name a few) and where they are now.

Would it be of general interest. It would done under the banner of LotusRescue of course. I was thinking of compiling pictures and details of the cars that have been saved, fixed, sold on, helped out and what we currently have in the shed and the general plans for them.

If it may be of interest and someone can give me a few pointers on how to set it up. I just might manage to find some time during this quarantine period to at least get it started. I was also thinking of featuring my own S3 which restoration has just started on.

Let me know your thoughts. But bare in mind I am the original technophobe here so could well be looking for some advice on how to do it. MMm not could be. Will be. .

[C8RKH]

Go for it John. I think you're videos would be popular as 

1. You come across as a straight forward, to the point, no bullshit honest guy 

2. You have a wealth of knowledge and insight that people would benefit from and would be recorded for the future 

3. You've found and rescued some really rare cars 

4. Personally, I would love to see your ice blue esprit come together. I honestly this it is one of the best ever colours for the Esprit 

Good luck, can't wait to see them 

 

 

 

 

[johnpwalsh]

Cheers Andy. Just need to find out how to put it together and how to create the You Tube.