New project

[Barrykearley]

It’s Sid 👍

[frb]

Or perhaps the Elvin Ravenscroft / Paul Matty hillclimb car?

 

 

[cbclotus]

Is it a relation of the original silver car with is it a clam shell that's opens up .Might be wrong .....Mike

[Fridge]

19 minutes ago, cbclotus said:

Is it a relation of the original silver car with is it a clam shell that's opens up .Might be wrong .....Mike

If it is it has totally different proportions to that prototype. Why isn't it mentioned in any of JW's books?

I think it must be an early car which has been converted for something like @frb suggested.

[Jeanvm]

very interesting, one of the first prototypes with open up engine cover.

[douchy77]

On 05/05/2018 at 13:46, frb said:

Or perhaps the Elvin Ravenscroft / Paul Matty hillclimb car?

 

 

Getting closer.....no cigar yet though

[ChrisJ]

 

[frb]

Another possible car that springs to my mind would be the Group 5 Jenvey Racing Esprit. I think it was "officially" supported by Lotus who reluctantly supported a bodyshell. Also had the pre-series rear light arrangement.

[douchy77]

 

9 minutes ago, frb said:

Another possible car that springs to my mind would be the Group 5 Jenvey Racing Esprit. I think it was "officially" supported by Lotus who reluctantly supported a bodyshell. Also had the pre-series rear light arrangement.

Boom. We have a winner

Edited May 6, 2018 by douchy77

[douchy77]

Actually a body and chassis and a bit more. The body was originally silver according to Richard. Anyway I’ll do a full full write up in due course. The car was acquired almost 5 years ago believe it or not and the restoration is almost complete. 

[Jeanvm]

A whole other beast than I thought. Which engine had it? Not a Lotus I guess.

[lotus-62]

so what is this? looks a little like yours:  https://www.2dehands.be/autos/lotus/esprit/lotus-esprit-thundersaloon-gr-5-413284245.html 

is it the same kind of esprit or totally different? 

 

[frb]

On ‎06‎/‎05‎/‎2018 at 16:07, douchy77 said:

 

Boom. We have a winner

Yay   !

 

Looks like you're pretty far into the resto. And the chassis is a real joy to look at!

[Jeanvm]

would interest me but costs too much for the restoration.

 

"so what is this? looks a little like yours:  https://www.2dehands.be/autos/lotus/esprit/lotus-esprit-thundersaloon-gr-5-413284245.html 

is it the same kind of esprit or totally different? "

[silverfrost]

Fantastic car to own Leon,  Had that car as my screensaver for a while,  glad to see it has finally been given the love it deserves,  great lloking car and look forward to the finished pictures, are you leaving the paintwork clean or giving it racing decals 

[douchy77]

On 07/05/2018 at 14:37, lotus-62 said:

so what is this? looks a little like yours:  https://www.2dehands.be/autos/lotus/esprit/lotus-esprit-thundersaloon-gr-5-413284245.html 

is it the same kind of esprit or totally different? 

 

Similar I guess, the Jenvey car was essentially an Esprit front end, March F1/2 rear end. It too ran a Hewland FG400 like that car in the advert. The gearbox themselves are £20k if you can find one - so if that comes with the car then its worth buying just for that!

[douchy77]

On 06/05/2018 at 19:32, Jeanvm said:

A whole other beast than I thought. Which engine had it? Not a Lotus I guess.

Yes Lotus. It had a re-worked 907 unit, Cosworth top end and a proprietary fuel injection system. Pic enclosed as found in Richard's garage, and in period!!

[douchy77]

11 hours ago, silverfrost said:

Fantastic car to own Leon,  Had that car as my screensaver for a while,  glad to see it has finally been given the love it deserves,  great lloking car and look forward to the finished pictures, are you leaving the paintwork clean or giving it racing decals 

Thanks! It is being returned to the livery raced in the 79 season. We are looking to race in the Peter Auto Classic Endurance Race Series. It may make its debut at the end of this season, but more likely to be 2019 now. It had an entry for Le Mans in 1979 but didn't make the start due to Engine troubles. It would be a dream to get it there, but the ACO are notoriously difficult to persuade, so we'll see after a season of racing what they say.  Luckily we have a whole pile of period decals and sponsors items that Richard had spare which makes life a lot easier, missing ones we'll have re-made

[silverfrost]

Any progress on the bodywork completion yet !  

Really looking forward to seeing this one finished and decaled up ! 

Have you looked into what boots you are going to fit for the racing season as wide 15 " inch track tyres are pretty thin on the ground these days ? 

[elvin ravenscroft]

HI this is Elvin Ravenscroft  - just been looking around the net and found this !  I originally worked for Paul Matty in the 80's and built the Esprit firstly in his workshop in Bromsgrove before taking it home to complete. it was based on a self built space frame ( in fact everything apart from the bodywork was self built )  - the bodywork on the one I built was obtained from Paul Jenvey over by Bridgenorth - it was a an ex circuit car shell that had stood in his back garden for a while - it even had the polaroof  decals on it - I raced car for a few seasons then got married and bought a house etc etc . sold car to a guy who was hilclimbing who needed a hewland gearbox for his car - the remainder was then sold on to a chap who now circuit races it ( look on web for "wildcat Esprit ) -- Hope this helps :)

 

[douchy77]

[douchy77]

[douchy77]

[Stuart Monument]

Wow, fantastic car and fantastic workmanship. Congrats 

[silverfrost]

Looks stunning, i may have to knick the front lourves idea for my front end, rather than the gt40 style,  Love the back end, reminds me of my black esprit that i sadly get no time to spanner on anymore 

Fantastic colour, but was it not going to silver, what was the sudden change of heart ?  

 Still looks stunning though, awersome build and craftsmanship and a true GT car