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patch this is for you - Lotus Esprit restoration #1563326
11/02/2016 22:03
11/02/2016 22:03
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,645
J
JKD Offline OP
Forum is my job
JKD  Offline OP
Forum is my job
J

Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,645
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioN8HXTN7bM

Hopefully you'll enjoy this video.

I saw it and thought, this guy is like patch - tastefully saving rare, classic cars. thumb

Re: patch this is for you - Lotus Esprit restoration [Re: JKD] #1563337
12/02/2016 04:00
12/02/2016 04:00

P
patch234
Unregistered
patch234
Unregistered
P



Interesting story that JKD. Interesting car too, I so nearly bought one before I bought the Porsche. It was the difficulty in getting to the engine that swayed it for me.

Yeah, he has managed to make that car his own hasn't he. I love the colour but I don't think it matches the interior at all. Personally, I think I would have looked for a blue Lotus interior, considering what he did to the exterior.

I also had no idea Lotus were so far ahead of the game when it comes to tubs and material tech too. Clever guys at Lotus huh!

I suppose you could say; the trick to modifying a car is to do it sympathetically and tastefully (people say there is no accounting for taste though don't they! and this explains a lot about some modified Fiat Coupe's hahaha) and I think he approached it perfectly - except for the interior colour laugh I like the exterior colour a lot.

He seems happy with the results doesn't he! At the end of the day, that's all the matters thumb

I also wish I could do this sort of think as a full time job. Wouldn't it be great! Hopefully one day!


Re: patch this is for you - Lotus Esprit restoration [Re: JKD] #1563360
12/02/2016 13:08
12/02/2016 13:08
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 1,290
Staffs
Dazvr6 Offline
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Staffs
Not keen on the colour!
Should have gone back to red or black.

Re: patch this is for you - Lotus Esprit restoration [Re: JKD] #1563367
12/02/2016 14:25
12/02/2016 14:25

D
dlongstaff
Unregistered
dlongstaff
Unregistered
D



Like them and I like this one.

The one featured on Wheeler Dealers was on ebay recently. Not sure if the link will work as it's sold now.

Link

Re: patch this is for you - Lotus Esprit restoration [Re: JKD] #1563379
12/02/2016 16:20
12/02/2016 16:20

P
patch234
Unregistered
patch234
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P



That ended up being well looked after then!! Jeesh!

Re: patch this is for you - Lotus Esprit restoration [Re: JKD] #1563394
12/02/2016 20:15
12/02/2016 20:15

D
dlongstaff
Unregistered
dlongstaff
Unregistered
D



Yes a pity!

It's one car I like in all its evolution of styling. One for the dream car port.
Dreaming the living.

The only thing about the car in the feature looks like it should sit lower.

Keeping a car standard is all well and good when it's in decent condition. Buy a good example, then there is nothing to do. Other than keeping it good.
As things need replacing its a good time to upgrade. It makes sense if there is something better. If that makes it not original then, depends on condition. If it's worth being religious about it.

If you buy a car like this guy did then why not?

That's how I feel about my car. It was a lost cause to a small degree which opened up a different world than a perfect one. To keep standard. Etc.

The first Coupe I owned was six months old and did not dare touch it. Many years later and not being as naive, buying one that needed input was a breathe of fresh air.

Styling is already in the Coupe. Great place to start if you feel the need to change:add one or two things. There's are some nice examples that work. And others, that have being skilfully and loving done that in my opinion do not. But my opinion is just that.

What does grind my gears is when a Coupe not a Coupe. Other than dropping the Coupe bodyshell onto that is not ie.different engine etc then it's not really a Coupe anymore. Than someone extracting as much, and ringing the living day lights out of the standard Coupe. Be it styling or power and handling.

Thanks JKD for the link.

Ps. Why didn't he just use a stripper instead of sanding goo ?

Re: patch this is for you - Lotus Esprit restoration [Re: JKD] #1563759
17/02/2016 17:31
17/02/2016 17:31

S
suba
Unregistered
suba
Unregistered
S



Nice to see someone caring for one, I've always liked the Esprit. smile

Re: patch this is for you - Lotus Esprit restoration [Re: JKD] #1563761
17/02/2016 18:03
17/02/2016 18:03

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patch234
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patch234
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P



If I had an esprit I'd add something like this .... it looks so cool! Pure class. I don't know why more people don't so the same?

click to enlarge

Re: patch this is for you - Lotus Esprit restoration [Re: JKD] #1568023
31/03/2016 11:54
31/03/2016 11:54

N
Nello
Unregistered
Nello
Unregistered
N



I've had this in my stable for 22 years now..........
click to enlarge
The earlier Giugiaro cars are more appealing to me. Not many decent ones around now.

Re: patch this is for you - Lotus Esprit restoration [Re: JKD] #1568045
31/03/2016 15:53
31/03/2016 15:53
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,676
Didcot - Oxon
RusH Offline
My life on the forum
RusH  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,676
Didcot - Oxon
Wow - love that Nello - Red Paint looks very vibrant as well!


Coupe now sold!
Re: patch this is for you - Lotus Esprit restoration [Re: ] #1568047
31/03/2016 15:55
31/03/2016 15:55
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 17,077
FCSS 01684 593187
Countrycruising Offline
Club Rep Europe, member 914
Countrycruising  Offline
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Forum veteran

Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 17,077
FCSS 01684 593187
Originally Posted By: Nello
I've had this in my stable for 22 years now..........
click to enlarge
The earlier Giugiaro cars are more appealing to me. Not many decent ones around now.


Looks lovely thumb

Re: patch this is for you - Lotus Esprit restoration [Re: ] #1568048
31/03/2016 16:09
31/03/2016 16:09
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,645
J
JKD Offline OP
Forum is my job
JKD  Offline OP
Forum is my job
J

Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,645
Originally Posted By: Nello
I've had this in my stable for 22 years now..........
click to enlarge
The earlier Giugiaro cars are more appealing to me. Not many decent ones around now.


Nello, honest answer please.

Whenever you've driven your Esprit, have you ever pretended to be, or even felt like you were, James Bond?

Re: patch this is for you - Lotus Esprit restoration [Re: JKD] #1568049
31/03/2016 16:15
31/03/2016 16:15

N
Nello
Unregistered
Nello
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N



I do recall specifically taking a 'Best of Bond' C90 cassette with me when I picked it up in '94! laugh

Re: patch this is for you - Lotus Esprit restoration [Re: ] #1568051
31/03/2016 16:20
31/03/2016 16:20
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,645
J
JKD Offline OP
Forum is my job
JKD  Offline OP
Forum is my job
J

Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4,645
biglaugh

If I owned an Esprit, I'd wear a tuxedo and play the Bond theme tune loudly, wherever I went.

Even if I wasn't driving it! biglaugh

Re: patch this is for you - Lotus Esprit restoration [Re: ] #1569252
11/04/2016 16:00
11/04/2016 16:00

S
suba
Unregistered
suba
Unregistered
S



Originally Posted By: Nello
I've had this in my stable for 22 years now..........
click to enlarge
The earlier Giugiaro cars are more appealing to me. Not many decent ones around now.


Love it - very envious. love

Re: patch this is for you - Lotus Esprit restoration [Re: JKD] #1569261
11/04/2016 16:29
11/04/2016 16:29

P
patch234
Unregistered
patch234
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P



Wow Nello. Super!! I'd love that! Looks nice and shiny too laugh

Re: patch this is for you - Lotus Esprit restoration [Re: JKD] #1569290
11/04/2016 20:09
11/04/2016 20:09
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,609
S. Wales. Way beyond my means
Gripped Offline
Club member 1924
Gripped  Offline
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Forum is my job

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Posts: 3,609
S. Wales. Way beyond my means
I want it !!

And I want the "stable" of which he speaks. Any other exotica in there?

You're not that famous talk show host Jay Nello are you?

laugh

Re: patch this is for you - Lotus Esprit restoration [Re: JKD] #1569512
13/04/2016 17:09
13/04/2016 17:09

N
Nello
Unregistered
Nello
Unregistered
N



Cheers guys - Never enough 'steeds' in the 'stable!' laugh

Truth is the Esprit has been off the road for some time now for one reason or another. Still looks like new though.
As mentioned I have had it 22 years now and its got to the point where its hard to let go of it. Went on our honeymoon in it etc.
The Esprit does seem to have got to the point now where prices are shooting up - Fully restored S1's are £40k now! You could not give them away not too long ago. Modern handling and suspension systems mean its not got the performance of todays generation but it still looks super exotic which is alot of what counts to me - the asthetics. Same with the Coupe tbh. It was the closest thing I could afford at the time to a Countach. I do love wedge/paper-fold cars. I've one other which MotorMech helps me keep on the road every summer..... (here being moved but only shot to hand)

click to enlarge

Re: patch this is for you - Lotus Esprit restoration [Re: ] #1569589
14/04/2016 09:10
14/04/2016 09:10
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603
Corridor of Uncertainty
J
Jim_Clennell Offline
Forum veteran
Jim_Clennell  Offline
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603
Corridor of Uncertainty
Originally Posted By: Nello
I've had this in my stable for 22 years now..........
click to enlarge
The earlier Giugiaro cars are more appealing to me. Not many decent ones around now.


Beautiful car. Rover SD1 rear lights, you know...!

Re: patch this is for you - Lotus Esprit restoration [Re: JKD] #1569693
14/04/2016 21:52
14/04/2016 21:52

N
Nello
Unregistered
Nello
Unregistered
N



Yes Jim - and I'm sure you know where the door handles/Light switches are from!

Re: patch this is for you - Lotus Esprit restoration [Re: JKD] #1569740
15/04/2016 09:27
15/04/2016 09:27
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 16,603
Corridor of Uncertainty
J
Jim_Clennell Offline
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Jim_Clennell  Offline
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Posts: 16,603
Corridor of Uncertainty
I do, but it really is such a gorgeous car that I won't mention it...!


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