Esprit factory active suspension development car

[Stuart Monument]

I have been lucky enough to buy the Active Suspension Lotus Esprit. I have owned it for a little while and now have a loose plan going forward.

Unfortunaltley someone has stolen the dash instruments and a few other bits , however the rest of the car is there including the actuators etc. 

 

I am slowly going to get the bits together, replace belts and get it started. Next will be trying to get the active side working of which I already have some good leads on who to speak to. 

Nothing is going to happen in the near future due to my daughters ill health, however I thought a few of you would be interested to know the car is all in one piece and is going to be preserved and hopefully up and running as it should be.

Cheers

 

Stu 

[Dan E]

Epic congratulations that is real piece of history, can you actually see out of the windscreen? 

[Barrykearley]

How in f""@s name did you get that car.......

envious is not a strong enough description.

Best wishes to the young un 

[Stuart Monument]

Hi Dan,

You can see out of the window. It's not legal as was done for display purposes. It will be changed in due course. I think it's important to conserve the history of the car. Brian Angus kindly sent some photos of when the car was started about 10 years ago so nice have those on the file 

Cheers Barry. Still not forgotten you and the S3 NA. Planning on calling him tomorrow. 

 

There isn't going to be any quick progress on this but it's still a pleasure to have in my garage 

[Vulcan Grey]

Nice!

 

 

[Escape]

Congrats and best of luck refitting it!

[silverfrost]

A true collector of lotus history, what a fantastic car to own, not only history wise but looks in stunning condtion also.

Well done ! 

[ramjet]

Wow. Just wow.  

[skiing]

I am so jealous. I would buy this like a shot! 

[Choppa]

You lucky fellow!

The Holy Grail of G Turbos right there, looks to be in safe hands, and really looking forward to lots of photos as you get it fully operational again!

[Stuart Monument]

Thanks gents it looks in better condition than it really is as the Factory had the paint blown over to put it on display. The letter from Lotus said it was the first pre production Essex car before being made into the active car. It has a lovely history with it .

Picture of active dash panel 

[Barrykearley]

Oh my god - Essex as well

[swindon_alan]

That could have starred in Back to the Future!

Is it fitted with the optional flux capacitor perchance?

[Choppa]

Stuart, just been thinking about your car and the work you are planning, it's crying out for a TV documentary to be made as you bring it back to life. From the YouTube clip Travis has posted a third of the programme has already been filmed!  Does anyone have contacts in a TV production company? Why can't you ever find them when you need one in a hurry

 

[JayEmm]

*cough* *Cough*

[Hangar 111]

Is that a panic button on the bottom right of the panel?  Or does it say "damp"? 

Very interesting project by the look of it.

Dave

[Stuart Monument]

Choppa, Jay is already on the video situation and I am sure will make a spectacular job of it. Won't be until second quarter of next year tho. I loosely know John Miles so he could also discuss the car as I understand he did a lot of work on it. 

 

I think a panic button might be needed as I am not the best with a spanner ! 

[Choppa]

27 minutes ago, JayEmm said:

*cough* *Cough*

Oops, I didn't see you standing there!

[robington]

5 hours ago, Choppa said:

The Holy Grail of G Turbos right there,

Probably the holy grail of all G cars as its the only one around.

Awesome. I'm really looking forward to seeing this in the future - best of luck with the project - we will all be willing you on to succeed.

 

[Stuart Monument]

Thank you for all the kind words or support on this project. a couple more pics 

[Barrykearley]

You can keep posting them up chap......

[skiing]

Don't stop! 

[stephenwhyte]

Just loving this!!! More pics please - interior ones would be great too

[Dan E]

Agreed they look sooo good that low when parked and the control panel is just brilliant,  I even like the tints and an Essex

[ramjet]

The US has B is for Build, well is no longer has S is for Stuart.

S is for Save.

How many people get to own a unique car with a history like this one has?