UAH272W...I have information!

[simierskiUK]

Who wants to know? The car (UAH272W) has had a recent engine rebuild and cosmetic restoration, and is still residing in the UK. It was actually given a different numberplate (VUR84W) for several years, but the current owner managed to persaude the DVLA to give the car its original numberplate back. Should anyone have any questions, please post here.

[WayneB]

In case anyone is curious, UAH 272W was Nigel Mansells company Turbo Esprit.

I was trying to track down the car about 2 years ago (along with another forum member) and am interested to find out what has become of it.

Any recient pics available?

[sandwer]

In case anyone is curious, UAH 272W was Nigel Mansells company Turbo Esprit.

I was trying to track down the car about 2 years ago (along with another forum member) and am interested to find out what has become of it.

Any recient pics available?

Snetterton. I recognise that track edging, you get very familiar with that shortly before a carrot-picking excursion

Thats Prince Michael of Kent in the passenger seat. And how strange, I can't think of a suitable funny to crack about NM. I must be getting old.

Split rims on that UAH 272W? Did Mansell join after the Essex debacle - hence the JPS livery?

Rich

[simierskiUK]

WB: I will post some pictures here once I have permission from the current owner. As for the second post, I believe so, but I think it's got more to do with the F1 style build this S3 turbo (and the sister car of Elio Deangelis, which we, the current owner of Mansell's and myself believe may now reside in the USA) had for publicity. The JPS livery differs from the commerative esprits in that it has only one band of thin gold lining going along the running plate and under the lip of the spoiler at the back, and the JPS logo in gold on the doors, the name of the driver in front of the wing mirror but behind the wheel arch, and "Turbo Esprit" on the bonnet in gold on the front.

Quick edit, I believe that the car may make an appearance at Brands Hatch, 24th March, if anyone's interested.

Edited March 13, 2007 by simierskiUK

[nello]

That car was on display at Donnington about 12 years ago - for what its worth.....remember seeing his name on the front wing.

Highly likely it came with Essex-spec as Essex 100 (Mark Thatchers) - the last RHD Essex and was registered UAH271W

They certainly are the Essex Spec Compomotives.

SCC082910AHD10949 Lotus Cars 80 RHD CD910801118917 05/12/1980 UAH 271W Mr. M Thatcher

Mansell drove Essex F1 cars after joining Team Lotus in 1980.

Edited March 20, 2007 by nello

[simierskiUK]

Yes it was, and I remember that well - it was the first time I had been driven in the car by the current owner (I was seven at the time, and therefore ill-qualified to drive! I am qualified now, but driving it? I'd have more chance with the smithsonian lending me their space shuttle!!!), and it was the first year that dad had the car.

Incidentally, we were at Brands Hatch on saturday, and were thrilled at meeting other forum members - I'd just like to thank everyone for being so inviting and pleasant on what was a very cold day! We managed to get the round the track too, on the parade lap. We were a bit miffed by one of the stewards telling us to keep up with the car in front...which was the GT1 race car!!! But what an event, what an occasion! The amount of esprits there was incredible. All in amazing condition, looked a wonderful sight.

[Mark Blanchard]

Found some more pics of UAH272W being driven by HRH Prince Micheal of Kent and Mansell.

And the last pics is an irrelevant one. I wonder what they were talking about?

[WayneB]

Interesting photos Mark, you have a great talent for finding the rare stuff.

It looks like Mr.Chapman might be attempting to lay some of his legendary smooth charm on old Thatch!

[Dan]

It looks like Mr.Chapman might be attempting to lay some of his legendary smooth charm on old Thatch!

From the angle of his gaze I'd suggest that Mr. C was a breast man...

[simierskiUK]

Here's a recent picture - before someone rammed the back of it >_<

We're currently on the lookout for a replacment bumper - ours isn't too badly damaged, luckily, but it needs specialist repair work - and repainting - doesn anyone know where we can get a matching bumper to fit onto it in the interim?

[Bazza 907]

Interesting that the colour picture of HRH talking to Mansell sems to show the colour of the interior looking more orange than red.

I wonder if that's the case ? - I ask because the interior of my Essex is more a red/orange than red mostly because I think its faded in the sunlight.

Bazza

[simierskiUK]

Interesting that the colour picture of HRH talking to Mansell sems to show the colour of the interior looking more orange than red.

I wonder if that's the case ? - I ask because the interior of my Essex is more a red/orange than red mostly because I think its faded in the sunlight.

Bazza

---

The interior is actually Red leather, Bazza, though most of the photographs we've seen do show a slightly different shade - however, the interior is entirely original still (minus the radio) and sadly, will have to be replaced: the previous owner to UAH272W managed to kill the leather completely by treating it with some sort of dye....which has for the last 5 years been rubbing off onto clothes!!!

[WayneB]

Thanks for posting that photo Simon, I have been wondering about the current state and location of this car for quite a while.

Does the current owner intend to do a full monty restoration on it or just attend to the stuff you have mentioned (rear damage, seats, radio, etc)

Any chance of a good side on view showing the graphics properly (is Nigel Mansells name and the JPS logo signwritten on like the GP cars were or is it a decal?)

[cbclotus]

Fantastic car to own,What a history there is something very special about early esprits dry sump cars are extremely .rare .wish i still had my old car ,but thats another story .hope you get the bumper repaired etc ,cheers mike s3

[dodgey_rog]

There's a note in the Prince Michael of Kent suite at the SMMT HQ in Hertfordshire with a note from a Lotus Director that has all the pictures from his day driving the F1 car and that this picture became all the more significant as it was the last F1 car to be under the control of Colin Chapman as he died a short time after.

We were having a clear out at my folks a while ago and found a couple of those black JPS Team Lotus jackets as the old man was given a couple by the team when he went to Monaco one year, they lasted quite a while although the piping has come away in some parts, can't think where they are now. They used to be so cool in Black with the Yellow lining, you gotta love the 80's!!!!

[nello]

Bit of a thread revival but theres some photos of this car just appeared on the Esprit Group FB page if anyones interested. Looks to have been off the road for some time and very dusty........but complete

[Bibs]

I seem to recall being quite a mess (and very dusty) when we saw it at Brands Hatch a few years back... 

[jep]

Any update? Did the Mansell car get restored?

Justin