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It's a real trip down memory lane to join this forum and dig out some information about MPW71V - thanks Jim! I have put in a call to a notable retired Lotus development engineer who knows a thing or two about Bond cars - he may have some more gen about the car. I don't THINK that MPW71V was a Bond car - but I do know it had an interesting life in my hands with the V8 project...

Found the root cause tonight...a 50mm long 5mm diameter bead of black silicone, nicely swollen and lodged down the top of the banjo bolt (no sign of the gauze filter which must have come adrift somehow?) Funny thing is I don't use black silicone as a rule, I'm racking my brains as to how this got in there. A suggestion was made that the car has been filled many times using petrol cans, maybe it got in the cans, then in the tank Obviously, I can't be sure that's the only bit without a boroscope or taking the tank out and flushing again, and I need transport on Thursday so no time. Just have to cross fingers, at least I know what to do next time.

Exactly, it's about building the brand, Dany got that totally... A huge factor in Porsche's success is about being an aspirational brand, same with Rolex... people want one without really knowing why, it's about the money, the image, the 'I've arrived' factor. I'm not saying Lotus need to follow that but they could and should be able to create a successful brand image, the problem they have is DRB have wasted all the work DB put in. Meanwhile over at McLaren I hear they've 'leaked' a little more information on their P13 project, their entry level car aimed at the 911 market. Apparently they're looking at a launch late next year and cars on the road early 2015. They understand the need to create an interest, despite having a much higher profile than Lotus. Back to the Evora, it's a great car, exceptional, but if Lotus don't promote themselves and their product they can't expect people to come banging on their door.

He should go on with it but using any other Esprit S1 shell. It would be fantastic to see the S1 Sub become a reality!

I understand his motives but as has been said, no need to trash a historic car to do so. Much better to start from scratch, no seams for a start! Everyone would be impressed if he succeeded and I cant imagine anyone saying "ah, but he didn't use the original car did he?" More likely "well, he bought and preserved the original car and brought the film makers dreams into reality" Presumably, he pointed at said car in the film and just said "I want that". His sub team did the rest (pun intended)