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About this blog

Ground up restoration - Esprit s2

Entries in this blog

 

Fuel tanks finally done

Had a set of custom alloy fuel tanks made up.

I had the engineer make them slightly smaller to make the job of ever needing to get them back out much easier.

[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/WP_20150316_001_zpslkopviam.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/WP_20150316_003_zpskwr6ru99.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/WP_20150316_004_zpsawl4qld9.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/WP_20150316_005_zpspa1qjxqa.jpg[/img]

Very happy with the result and one step forward in the restoration progress :)
vintaylor

vintaylor

0
 

Esprit Decals Done

Something small but definitely a satisfying job...

Decals and bonnet badge installed :)

[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/10672355_10152686254429706_4905803599185317875_n_zps470c926e.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/10377446_10152733492119706_155307222108702564_n_zpsa0fb110a.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/1526883_10152735569179706_680226305922016013_n_zps3ba2b2b8.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/577847_10152733804164706_1325576379309086815_n_zps60584872.jpg[/img]
vintaylor

vintaylor

2
 

Second Seat Done - Finally

Just picked up the second seat covered in Beige.

Hoping to have the last remaining interior bits done by the end of the month :)

[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/10892024_10152941184189706_2152830021517727963_n_zps9368710f.jpg[/img]
vintaylor

vintaylor

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Parts off for soda blasting

Haven't posted here in a while (mostly due to the purchase of a house), but hoping to keep the motivation going...

After attempting to clean the cylinder head I decided to send it off for Soda Blasting..

Will post the pics once its done.

[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/10868063_10152932841524706_7486990714555497463_n_zps04dfc865.jpg[/img][img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/10881521_10152932841854706_4307722348535344804_n_zpsc71077e7.jpg[/img]
vintaylor

vintaylor

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Frame ready for the painted body!

2 weeks to go and I will finally have the lotus body back from paint!

Spent some time building a frame for the body this weekend. The frame was built from wood measuring 3" by 3" all cut to size to support the body from underneath the cockpit.

After previous mistakes I have made sure to get the right set of wheels that can take up to 650kgs in total !

[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/WP_20140316_006_zps88049b13.jpg[/img]
vintaylor

vintaylor

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Nearly yellow!

Looks like my esprit will finally be painted by the end of the month.

Really happy with the work done at the body shop. Loads of prepping and fine adjusting as the bumpers has numerous holes drilled in to re-set the bumper during its life by one of the PO's.. so new mounting holes have finally been set and bumpers have been test fitted...
[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/1969303_10152242145534706_1812043056_n_zps683d005c.jpg[/img]
Getting closer to the finished product

Here's a sample of the new yellow paint! It's getting exciting :)

[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/1546424_10152242143949706_1955575745_n_zps60bbf78c.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/1618422_10152242150484706_932991642_n_zpsa2738e9f.jpg[/img]

(photo was taken on a grey day inside a dark garage )
vintaylor

vintaylor

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Steering Column Surround - Repaired and Re-upholstered

After much contemplation, I decided to go ahead and repair the old unit rather then replace.

The PO did a terrible job at enlarging the centre hole to fit an aftermarket steering wheel.

Since the unit was going to be covered I cut out properly sized pieces of plywood and rivitted them onto the old unit. applied filler to smooth en out the edges and gave it a quick spray in satin black.

[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/944754_10151569776949706_942000385_n_zpsabe87e43.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/WP_20140119_003_zps99c83ab6.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/WP_20140112_002_zpsf5db0008.jpg[/img]

Very happy with the result :)
vintaylor

vintaylor

0
 

New replacement front grille in Stainless Steel

I had been trying to source the pieces to have a replacement grille made up in stainless steel for ages and finally last week, luckily managed to source the only importer of stainless steel mesh grille in Malta! (it seems)

Really proud of the final result, this one should hold up a lot longer then the old unit !

I think total cost probably came to around £60 in total which is great considering how much it would have cost to get a steel replacement sent over from the UK

[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/WP_20140121_020_zps0c16d712.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/WP_20140121_021_zps3ae972d3.jpg[/img]

Grille is still awaiting paint once it has been trial fitted in place :)
vintaylor

vintaylor

2
 

Front Calipers Rebuilt!

Finally found the time to rebuild my front calipers.

It was a nightmare trying to remove 2 of the 4 pistons, which resulted in me taking them to an engineer that did the job himself

Managed to source a new seal kit and a set of type 14 pistons of ebay that came quite cheap.

[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/WP_20131212_024_zps30b4bb78.jpg[/img]

Here are the rebuilt calipers which have new seals, pistons and bolts whilst the body has been re-plated and painted in gold caliper paint.

[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/WP_20131219_003_zpsf299cbd6.jpg[/img]

Very pleased with the result and a much easier task then I originally thought!
vintaylor

vintaylor

2
 

Esprit at the Bodyshop - Nearly there!

Finally my esprit is nearly ready from the body prep before primer ! It's getting exciting :)

[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/WP_20131102_005_zpscecbf5e9.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/WP_20131102_004_zps6661d4c0.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/WP_20131102_002_zpsfac51150.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/photo21_zps9d2c4168.jpg[/img]
vintaylor

vintaylor

1
 

Door Cards Re-Upholstered

Finally some more interior progress has been done.
Just got the door cards back from the upholsterer.. I am very happy with the turn out :)

[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/WP_20130908_064_zps6f7955ee.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/WP_20130908_061_zpsad8db4af.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/WP_20130908_060_zps9d4406ab.jpg[/img]

All original double stitching has been re-created

[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/WP_20130908_066_zpsd713748a.jpg[/img]
vintaylor

vintaylor

1
 

Installing new locating tabs on the Engine Mounts

Managed to buy a set of replacement engine mounts off ebay. (they are the same as a beford CF van).

However the newer versions do not include the locating tabs. I had the tabs positioned, tapped and m6 grub screws installed

Here's the result - old vs new

[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/WP_20130815_012_zpscd925d27.jpg[/img]
vintaylor

vintaylor

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Window Frame Repaired

Finally got round to repairing the aluminium window frame. One of the stems of the frame was broken.

[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/WP_20130802_001_zps3fd2fc93.jpg[/img]

Here's the repaired frame ready for paint

[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/WP_20130815_008_zps05b1b408.jpg[/img]
vintaylor

vintaylor

2
 

New seat backing

One of the seat backings was totally destroyed by water. I had a new replacement made out of wood.

The brackets have been refurbished and riveted in.

Here's the result

[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/WP_20130815_009_zps8e7bff69.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/WP_20130815_011_zps0f53617d.jpg[/img]
vintaylor

vintaylor

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Original s2 steering wheel with aftermarket boss

I have finally managed to find an original s2 steering wheel and get it to fit my steering column. I have tried both an eclat and elite steering wheel, however both have a larger boss then the esprit.

[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/WP_20130718_002_zpsb366a67a.jpg[/img]

In the end I decide to take the aluminium aftermarket boss and have it machined to fit the original steering wheel.

here's the result!

[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/WP_20130815_004_zps25ef59bd.jpg[/img]
[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/WP_20130815_0051_zps85bd0bbc.jpg[/img]
vintaylor

vintaylor

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Sump and Bearing Cradle finally in paint!

Finally got round to painted the sump, bearing cradle and dipstick... it's starting to look like an engine again!

[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/photo17_zpsbf8a2538.jpg[/img]
vintaylor

vintaylor

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Braided fuel hoses

Decided to go the preventative route and had the fuel hoses replicated using braided hoses. Not keen on seeing my esprit go up in flames once its done :)

[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/photo17_zpsfcf3921f.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/photo16_zpseeb55135.jpg[/img]
vintaylor

vintaylor

10
 

Indicator lens refurb

Painted the lens brackets and got replacement lenses (off a mini clubman) and new gaskets all round

[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/photo11_zpsc49b5b05.jpg[/img]
vintaylor

vintaylor

0
 

Repaired Steering Column Surround

Since the part is going to be covered I decided to go ahead and repair rather then replace! Here's the result : Old vs New

[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/oldvsnew_zpscf2e5f06.jpg[/img]
vintaylor

vintaylor

0
 

Pedal Box Rebuilt

Finally got round to putting my pedal box back together![img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/photo11_zpsd901a03f.jpg[/img]
vintaylor

vintaylor

0
 

Binnacle and A pillars re-trimmed

Picked up a few more interior pieces. Very happy that the upholsterer managed to keep the original binnacle look without adding further stitching!

[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/photo46_zpsa5d1c81d.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/photo45_zpsf1691b54.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/photo44_zpsbc73ad80.jpg[/img]
vintaylor

vintaylor

0
 

Dashboard back from upholstery

Picked up my dashboard yesterday. Very happy with the result.

I've gone ahead and riveted new chrome fixing clips back in. I told the upholsterer to keep the same double stitching, so I'm happy with the turn out.

[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/photo11_zps073c35a8.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/photo13_zps6c21c004.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/photo12_zps2dc00707.jpg[/img]

The overlapping line in the material is the same as original .. The s2 has the chrome fittings that cover these 'joining' lines.

Can't wait to see what it will look like once installed in the car!
vintaylor

vintaylor

0
 

First interior part back from upholstery

Hi Guys,

It's been a while, but finally back with an update!

After sourcing the material, I have finally picked up the first part of my interior ! Very happy with result :)
I'm trying to keep to the 70's style beige and brown interior

Still working on the suspension and body is still in paint .. but at least its a start :)

What do you guys think?

I still need to attach the missing parts and nickel clips - will post an update .

PS Pictures don't do it justice, but at at least you guys will get the idea :)

[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/photo2-2_zps33aa030e.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/photo1-5_zpsfb004cbf.jpg[/img]
vintaylor

vintaylor

2
 

Let the cleaning begin!

Finally got round to getting myself an engine stand. Hoping to start cleaning the block and painting it in high temp aluminium paint.

[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/IMG_1182.jpg[/img]
vintaylor

vintaylor

0
 

Oil Cooler Restored

Just finished restoring my oil cooler. I soaked the cooler in kerosene overnight. Filled the cooler with oil cooler flush and re-painted with a light coating of high temp aluminium paint.
Then re-assembled with custom made braided hoses!

[img]http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u267/vintaylor/IMG_1180.jpg[/img]

Job Done!
vintaylor

vintaylor

0
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