1981 Dry Sump project

[LOTUSMAN33]

Well the time has come to start a post for my 1981 Dry Sump, after buying the car last year I have been torn between keeping the Elan or refreshing the Esprit. 

The decision has been made and work has begun, well actually I have just been buying a few bits and drained the tanks this weekend so it all starts from here! 

Fuel was clean and tanks don't smell so fingers crossed I may have got lucky, looking through the access holes and pulling the foam back I can see no corrosion either. Going to renew all the hoses, filter and pump to eliminate any future issues.

I took some photos while laid underneath, the chassis is all in good order with no corrosion, the engine is weeping oil however from lots of places particularly onto the exhaust manifold! 

Belts look good but will be changed, happy to run the car first though.

A couple coolant hoses are shot, clutch master cylinder and brake master are not great so need changing along with the clutch hose.

Oil is coming from cambox I think although both Camshaft end caps are leaking badly so new seals required, going to clean up and replace the cam cover gaskets and have another look when running.

New gear change bushes required.

Brakes calipers have been renewed not long ago.

Who needs Comps, these babies are gorgeous ?

Started flatting the body down and marking repairs.

Still not 100% decided to go original or do my Essex prototype replica, no rush but currently edging towards the red.

Just made a quick shopping list for SJ which came to £1k and that was just odd parts to get me going, certainly not as cheap to restore anymore as Fabian is finding out. 

Anyone know of cheaper alternatives for Clutch and Brake Masters cylinders along with the fuel pump?

Dave  

 

[Stuart Monument]

Good luck Dave , looking forward to seeing the end product .

 

Stu

[Dan E]

Dave do the Essex mate you know I will buy it if you ever have to sell it and that was your original plan. Stick to the plan. 

[stephenwhyte]

So happy to see you've seen sense Dave  and have started this as a project and didn't sell!

Keep it red as it would always be an Essex replica and everyone would remind you that when asking about it and the interior colour would be wrong so would need changed to red.......

Would personally go with the original post-Turbo Esprit ad car with gold centred Compomotives to match the stripes as it had a black interior too.

In fact have you checked with Andy Graham to see if it was maybe this actual car as it must be a very early one being on a W plate..... there can't be many in the same spec at that time, given this was the "Essex" period.

edit : just remembered yours is half-leather like mine

[cbclotus]

Hi Dave .Both look fantastic ..But for me I would keep the car as it came out of the factory  But I am glad you are keeping the car .Either way li will look fantastic ....Good luck ....Mike .  Reminds me of the late late breakfast  show car in red .Think it was red ....Mike

[stephenwhyte]

6 minutes ago, cbclotus said:

Reminds me of the late late breakfast  show car in red .Think it was red ....Mike

Yip Mike - the one in the intro here.......

 

[cbclotus]

That's the one Stephen ....Think that will sway it for Dave .....lol.How cool is that ...Mike.Thanks for the link Stephen.Mike

[The Pits]

Another vote for red and gold with Comps here. Great news that another dry sump is being restored to its former glory (or better!), best of luck.

[LOTUSMAN33]

Thanks guys, love the Noel Edmonds show and just sat watching it laughing at how awful TV was back then but still good!

Doubt I will decide on colour for a while and it will be a spontaneous decision at the time no doubt. Going to be black wheels though as I like the look, also assembling them soon so leaves my colour choice open.

If I go red then I will get the seat centres changed to leather as all the other panels are full.

I do like this image though! Can't wait to play my 80's vibes on that roof stereo! ?

Mind the image Stephen posted in that advert is wicked ?

It would have looked good next to Jo and Jonny's cars at brands. ??

Dave  

[Lotusfab]

Good stuff Dave!

[The Pits]

I'd go black decals with silver/black Comps but rest assured that it's going to look amazing whatever you do.

[LOTUSMAN33]

That works Jonny ?

 

[The Pits]

Yes, always thought that car looked great. Was for sale last year.

[LOTUSMAN33]

Yes nearly bought it over mine but to turn that into an Essex replica as planned would have me hung by members being so clean. That's why I went for a car needing paint anyway.

In hindsight if staying red I should have gone with my gut feeling, I was not keen on the sunroof or the Essex red interior on a red car, black does look better with Stephens beauty highlighting that well. 

Dave  

[stephenwhyte]

Remember it well Dave and many an email in between

Looked a nice car but I personally couldn't have lived with red paint and red interior.....that's migraine material in my book. And my childhood photographic memory won't allow me to see a red Turbo with black decals with anything else other than BBS wheels 

Still think Gold decals and Gold centred Compos is the way to go - have you seen another one, other than those pictured here?

Your car though, so whatever you choose needs to be right for you.....I'm just chuffed you're restoring!

[LOTUSMAN33]

Hi Stephen

Can you post some close up photos of your full leather black seats mate?

Fancy getting my centres changed or possibly full retrim.

Dave  

[stephenwhyte]

Can do - will try and do tomorrow 

[Dan E]

Dave don't worry about the roof radio I found this one at the right money mate 

 

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C91027

 

[pete]

presume it comes with a free car

[cbclotus]

Quick get the smelling salts  .I neary fainted reading the ad ....Medic any one......Mike

[LOTUSMAN33]

Holy cow, wonder if it is same seller who has the M90? ?

[stephenwhyte]

Nah......surely a typo!!

[Dan E]

Steve really! That scuppers my plan sell the Esprit put a few quid in, then fit it to.............oh hold on 

[Stuart Monument]

Dan that's looks a bit cheap, be careful it might be like a eBay scam, sucking you in with a keen price 

[Bazza 907]

That roof stereo isn't even the correct model.

I'm thinking of getting an agreed value insurance policy on mine.