patch this is for you - Lotus Esprit restoration

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.

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 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

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

Not keen on the colour!
Should have gone back to red or black.

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

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

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 ?

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

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?

I've had this in my stable for 22 years now..........

The earlier Giugiaro cars are more appealing to me. Not many decent ones around now.

Wow - love that Nello - Red Paint looks very vibrant as well!

Looks lovely

Nello, honest answer please.

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

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

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!

Love it - very envious.

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

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?

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

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)

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

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

I do, but it really is such a gorgeous car that I won't mention it...!