Esprit factory active suspension development car

[Steven162]

Gordon,

Love your last photo, there is some long service there! Going left to right after Mike, Peter White - Cars machine shop, Gary Slattery - Aftersales, Adrian Howell - Cars machine shop, Brian Angus, and George Sharpe who worked for Brian, and also looked after the car I later bought while there was some budget.  

[GordonMasson]

That was Mikes retirement. There must have been some better pictures but that was the only one that I managed to get a hold of.

[Bibs]

10 hours ago, Steven162 said:

Gary Slattery - Aftersales

Garry's retired now, last day was earlier this week.

[Steven162]

That's all of them except Peter then, he still works there. He started a few weeks before me, early 1988. Probably over 150 years service in that picture!

[RichardJGC]

Stuart

These are out of my Lotus World mags if you don't already have them? I can produce better scans if required.

[Stuart Monument]

Richard that would be brilliant if you could give me a scanned copy. It's great when people offer you and find history and pics of your car .  Thank you 

[RichardJGC]

No problem. Will scan them properly later ?

[LOTUSMAN33]

Stu, I know I passed you these but thought I would add for all to enjoy, especially with such VIP interest. 

I wonder if they took him for a spin round the Hethel track?

Dave  

[Nifty]

What a great piece of history to rescue.

I read through this thread just a couple of days ago, having revisited TLF after a long absence (other aspects of life taking me away from my cars).

Lo and behold, by sheer coincidence, last night a chap in the Lotus 7 Club posted a link to the Top Gear episode and it transpires that he was one of the Lotus engineers on the hydraulics working alongside Cranfield. He posted this snippet:

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As mentioned the development was done with Cranfield Institute of Technolgy and were basically the same computer hardware and software that were developed to control early developent of FlyByWire Jaguar and Hawk Aircraft.

Then another L7C member replied with this:

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I worked on the FlyByWire Jaguar in the early 80s. If I remember correctly, the microprocessor architecture was a GEC Marconi proprietary design using 'bit slice' technology. The processor had only 15 op codes available and it was programmed with assembler. The program which 'flew' the aircraft took up a massive 8kB of memory .

 

If you're interested Stuart I could put you in touch with these chaps

[Stuart Monument]

@Nifty that's is brilliant thank you. I was only researching the car two hours ago and read about the 15 parameters and the development at Cranfield. I am now getting a list together of all the component manufacturers which is great so your post has helped already. The plan is to get the engine out, belts  changed etc. Get the engine in the car and also the interior dials replaced and then get a ex lotus engineer who said he can get the hydraulics working (did it a team lotus) to look at it. Once he has seen the car then will see how many other people expertise I will have to lean on. They might be a great help in future. 

 

The forum really is a helpful places. I have had some great people offer to help. Thank you all

[swindon_alan]

Wow. JUST WOW!

[silverfrost]

Holy cow !   This car just keeps getting better and better,  Not that owning an esprit is about an investment, but hell if that does not add a few sheckles to the price of this car nothing will.  Amazing car and amazing history.   This car has to be up there with the lotus S1 proto type of dream cars to own, 

[Dixie237]

This car has to be up there as one of the dream cars to drive, let alone own! Imagine tweeking the dials on that giant 80's panel. Fun fun fun ......

 

[Stuart Monument]

Thanks gents, I am very proud to own it, and preserve a important bit of Lotus history.

I just hope I am not getting ahead of myself with the dream of getting the suspension working correctly. With all the leads and contacts (a lot it them generated from this thread) then I am sure it will be possible. 

 

@Buddsy Brian has been kind enough to send me info about when he saved the car from the crusher but don't think he worked on it. Not sure about Colin.

I am currently working with @G_Reaper with the possibility of putting some info together for his book. 

[Nifty]

Stuart,

You should have a PM but for general interest I'll post up the last message to me from my L7C friend:
 

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Hi Nifty

This has sparked me up and I have been looking some old boxes that were buried in my cave. I have found some nice pics of Active related stuff but not so much specifically on the Esprit. I do have quite a few copies of Lotus World and other motoring magazines with articles from that time.

Here is a photo of the Lotus Active Team in front of the Active Excel that was born out of the Esprit:

 

 

Here is a photo of the Cranfield Team

:

 

Here is a pic of the Esprit:

 

 

And a simple schematic of the system:

 

 

[molemot]

It's the software that's going to be difficult, I think. Personally, I'd not bother with the old computer hardware...something like an Arduino ought to be well capable and easier to access and write code for....once you have the mechanics sorted. A magnificent project....once you have it working, perhaps you could sell aftermarket modification kits?(!)

[Stuart Monument]

Thanks @Nifty that's nice to have. Didn't receive the PM. Any more info is always greatfully received.

 

@molemot will let the experts take care of the computer side of things as I have not a clue. If Lotus didn't get it into production then I think a simple Norfolk boy like me struggle to produce a kit ?

 

 

[molemot]

We're a long way down the technical tracks since then....the project is quite likely viable, these days.

 

[PhilW]

Does anyone know what happened to the active Excel?

[Stuart Monument]

I think Andy Clements knows where it is. 

[LOTUSMAN33]

It would be such an achievement to get this one working again, looks like it may happen now as well, this is what the forum 'excels' at! 

A couple more pics Stu ??

Dave  

[johnpwalsh]

I had the pleasure and the experience of viewing this car the other week and it is simply stunning. What a car, and knowing the current owner's, I have no doubt it will be done, and to the highest of standards if anything like the other cars in their possession.

[cbclotus]

As every body has said .What a fantastic car to own and preserve .And what a car company lotus is .I don't think they or any one will better the Origional  g cars .great to see .Mike

[Nifty]

8 hours ago, Stuart Monument said:

Thanks @Nifty that's nice to have. Didn't receive the PM. Any more info is always greatfully received.

Oh .. what happened to that then

I'll recompose and send again later this evening

[Nifty]

I have now sent it again Stuart. It's quite long and I don't appear to have a sent items box so hope its got to you this time !