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Finally managed to test drive the Evora 410 today. Before I summarise my views, they are based on comparisons of ownership of Evora 400 Auto for 5k miles including 2 track days, Exige V6S for 4K miles including 3 track days and Exige Sport350 1500 miles and 2 track days. So let's cut to the chase. WOW what a great car. I took the Silverstone demonstrator on some local roads around the area that I have driven all my previous cars, so able to make a decent comparison. Good long sections of national speed limit sweeping country roads, with some challenging uneven surfaces a

After a month of construction (with some interruptions), this is the result. Looking like building again, and already offering some shelter from the elements: My Esprit can just be seen, having a good look at her future home.

Mines not white anymore! Guidecoat on, ready for block down. Well done Neil if your reading! There a massive amount of work in all this, as I'm sure Richard will confirm.

No timescales really but the paint will likely be finished this year. (Including black bits) Ive still got the task of building up the rolling chassis once regalvanising has been done. Lots of little bits for me to be getting on with in the meantime though. Only want to do this once so want to do it right.

I hope that it's not an IKEA box !.....

I live off of food stamps and reside in a cardboard box.

Bit of a time lag in posting this up, in part because I was away on a road trip to Oregon, but here is a direct comparison of Europa and El Camino:

Just as an incentive, I'll mention that regular fluid replacement will prevent corroded, knackered cylinders. +++++++++ I replaced the clutch master cylinder on my '88 in 1996 because it was terribly pitted. Since then, I've flushed the fluid on the clutch system every two years. My clutch master started leaking last winter, so I installed SJ's seal kit. The inside bore of the cylinder was smooth as silk inside, so the seal kit alone is doing quite well. My slave cylinder is still fine BTW. So, be good about that maintenance.

No....due to the massively huge repair bills to our V8's, we can't afford to eat....fat bastards drive 4 pots

Lotus Evora Stratton GT

You won't believe the time and effort that's gone into achieving that. It's not just those areas...the whole car had been done to that level....doors...tailgate...the lot! ?

Yes...they certainly do!! ?

Out with the old, in with the new(ish). After 11 years and 70,000 miles of daily driving the Elise, I 'grew up' and picked up an Evora. I told my wife it was a sensible car to to fit the kids in :-) Couldn't be happier!

Summary G car picture for no other reason, but I like it!

John Welch said ECU connectors coming soon, on his website (actually a long time ago) maybe he knows? http://www.wcengineering.com/esprit/esprit.html

NICE!!! You are a hard man to argue with Thanks, think I'll order them. But here's a question: I see they are pretty old. So, as long as they are new and never mounted and/or used, does it have any relevance? I mean, do they get stone hard? And will it be save to drive top speed on new tires with that age? Cheers, Jacques.

Funnily enough, that's what my women say to me...

Poor esprit, if it could cry we would be flooded ?????

Many thanks for your feedback ... and it was exactly what I was hoping for !

Great write up Dave. I almost felt like I was in the car with you. Still want a 410 above all the other stuff Lotus currently offer.

Great skills to model your own sunroof section, I believe that I saw some carbon fibre replacements on PNM for several hundred pounds! I note comments about whether a deflector makes any difference and/or looking naff etc, but for completeness I'll keep looking for something reasonably priced, now in time for next summer!.

Last time I run Hancook tyres I had a blow out on the M4 at 80 +. It was almost new. Luckily I was driving a Citroen Zantia with the self leveling suspension and didn't really notice anything but the noise of flapping rubber. That puts you off a tyre for life. I run Toyo tyres all round on the V8, Excel and M100. Never any trouble.

Thanks for the tip! I'll try them out! Thanks for the tip! I'll try them out!

If in doubt, I look in the Rover/LandRover parts bin. I wonder if these would do? http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bearmach-Land-Rover-Door-Lock-Rod-Clip-BFP1265L-x-2-/321911541106?fits=Car+Make%3ALand+Rover&epid=1940547609&hash=item4af36c4d72:g:LVEAAOSwofxUkZJI

Very nice indeed! The pods and bonnet are perfect!

Been helping the team that sell these today. $6.2m second hand! Going up for a flight in it tomorrow

Called them today for the damage but still WIP! Phew. bank account in tact for a few more days

Why would I do that? I have a team to do it for me....!

I understand there are only 4 so question whether it makes much sense to do much fanfare on the website. They do look lovely in person though. The details I know are - All LHD - 1 manual and 3 IPS - Power as standard I believe is 430bhp (but opportunity to tune to 480bhp I think). - Interior trim is quite bespoke - looked stunning to my eyes - They definitely had a lot of interest at Brands - potentially may have sold two but you would need to speak to Alex at Stratton - There's a white one with @tim_marra's colour scheme - looks immense

Holy cow Filip, That is a shopping centre ! not a garage Looks fantastic,

Ford Capri is the same. But the price from SJ is reasonable enough not to have to bother about equivalent sourcing.

I will be there, look forward to saying hello. I'm working with @david_pittard again for another great day of coaching. I'm hoping the weather will be fair to us this time around, if not there'll definitely be lots of slides and yee-haa moments!

BO, or something fairly close to it at least. Everso slightly epic.

They're all essentially the same since the original V6 right up until the latest and most expensive derivative. Stick with what you have and if it ticks boxes for you, then mod away. If you are asking because you fancy spending a few quid on a change, then that's a different point. We all like to spend spare cash to feel alive with a new purchase so if that's the reason and a Cup is your thing then hunt one down. I expect that the real reason you are talking about this is like most humans, you like to spend the fruits of your labour and discussing upgrades to your current vehicle is

Ergh. I just had a... moment... it is gorgeous thanks Jonny

It is, and they're calling it the 'Stratton GT'.

No problem Alan, I'll dig it out and pull the lid. If anything remains, I'll send some pictures. I think there was a 4 connector version for the chargecooled SE and later and a 3 connector version for the non-chargecooled S. Only the 4 connector one is described in the manual with pin-outs etc, but the 3 connector layout can be seen in the ECM wiring diagrams for non-chargecooled.

They both do, but here's the newer shade.

Just a little update. I've just been tinkering with the car over the last week or so. I've removed the old headlining and cleaned and painted the handbrake mechanism and its associated mounting parts. This is ready to reconnect once I have the brakes functional. I've ordered up some bits from SJ Sportscars and a few eBay items to keep the build progressing. The headlamp vacuum pods are in a bad state, I'll try to repair them as they are nearly £200 each to replace! I do have some MX5 motors but no mounting brackets. I'll be able to get an MOT with the lights in the obligatory up position

Awesome looking track weapon Zaine

That looks the nuts!

A big palm debris landed on top of the Esprit and survived...not a scratch.

Yes, but getting to the 2 knobs will not be easy with the car on the ground unless you remove the wheels. Sam for both front and rear shock adjustors. Photo of front shock taken while car was on a 4-post lift … sorry for the poor quality.

Sorted it now - as above I grabbed a 'gear cable adjuster' off one of the kids old bikes and a couple of washers and fitted it like so. Works great (so far) and the wire is never going to drop out. If you get one of those 'gear cable adjusters' with an M5 thread they fit perfectly. Any bigger and it won't fit through the hole. Hope this helps - maybe I can get an engineering job at Lotus now?

14k on mine, no mention of the supercharger belt, but I had the aux bet replaced after 2 and a half years.

Actually it was done to reduce weight and to introduce side mount airbags for the US market

Black

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