Djs44

Little progress from me on the Esprit . Lull before the storm I hope . I need to get the chassis rolling by the end of the month ( engine etc all in ) so that @changes can have it and fit the body . The engine is still waiting to go on the dyno , everything else is pending that happening ... In the meantime , I've swapped my silver Elise for this beauty Same colour as the one I bought new from the factory in 1999 ( this has a 135 dealer fitted head ) And this is now waiting an engine . Mmmm lots of waiting ...

Body is getting serious - paint straight out of the gun before further work

Giorgio - cheers for the link 👍

Yes apparently 1970s Opel Ascona . I have one , so maybe scan and 3d print ? Could also be turned ...

I've checked now and it seems the following are required For each side - 1 off 25mm washer with a serrated side ( or both ? ) and 1 off 40mm washer . Then 2 off the dished washers - the manual suggests 8 off total ( i.e. 4 per side ) but the drawing shows 2 off each side .... these fit on the outside of the wishbones - between the bolt head on one end and the nut on the other . The rubber bush has a serration on one side as per the pic below The 25mm and 40mm washers are both fitted towards the front of the car , no washer between the chassis and the bush at the rear . This seems exactly as Dr Doom's pic shows. I imagine this is quite important to get correct to ensure the correct suspension geometry . Someone had fitted new polybushes to the wishbones ( which have been replaced now with the original spec rubber bushes ) so I basically only have 1 off dished washer and nothing else - so any source for the 25mm , 40mm and dished washers would be great .

Giorgio Thanks for your reply , I’ll check the dims and get back to you 👍

Don’t know why those pics didn’t upload properly

Body really coming on . Can't finish the front suspension until I sort out the dished washers ( which are unobtainable) for the top wishbones . Engine still not been on the dyno but gearbox and rear suspension bits are all ready. IMG_2966.heic IMG_2967.heic IMG_2967.heic

Dr Doom - thanks very much for that link - cheers

Dr Doom - than you for the pics . I've been studying SOUP's videos on youtube to look at the wishbone pics and they seem quite different washers .. Do you have a washer on both sides of the inner sides of the wishbones ? Minor points but I do want to get this right .

Not sure - the inner side of the bushes has the rubber outside of the metal edge of the bush . I have one dished washer and that doesn't clamp anything ... If they are essential , surely they must be available somewhere ?

Manual is a bit vague on these - I think I need 2 off per wishbone , with the other 2 off being plain . SJ don't do them - do they a) need to be dished and b) if so , any sources ?? I must say the RD Enterprises sheets are a bit more comprehensive than the workshop manual . Thanks

Quick visit to @changes for a body update. Looking lovely .

Thanks Dr Doom . I am using the lower holes. I need some more washers etc before I can proceed. Got some new spring compressors coming for the smaller springs .

Advice please . Is there a certain sequence to assembling the front suspension ? It looks like if I just have the dampers and lower wishbones in place ( i.e. no upright/top wishbone etc ) the lower wishbone will be in contact with the chassis . The springs ( 2.5inch) are a bugger to compress . Also what is this part ? Thanks in advance.

Hope you are going to clean it before the weekend 😜

Mike has some spares , so we will swap it I think .

Went to see @changes on Saturday - a couple of pics of where he's got to . I really admire both his attention to detail and also his complete dedication to doing the best job possible. Quality takes time. I also collected all the front suspension components - unfortunately I forgot to get a few bolts plated so I can't start the build yet - also took the front hubs to get them cleaned up. The gearbox has been stripped down and the casings vapour blasted - this revealed a slight problem with the top - see pics , which is cracked. Gearbox was generally very good but needs a new input shaft and output bearings. Should have the engine and gearbox back in 3 weeks so I can start to rebuild the rear end.

I'm going on the 12th - will say hello

You can get the decals etc - I know SJ Sportscars does them .

It will be a while before I have this experience in my Esprit - I look forward to it as it means it is running !!😜

Blimey a bit of a rant . I understand what @Bernie1806 is getting at , sort of and The Market do post plenty pictures so you can make your own mind up ( or go and look at the cars ) . The JPS was fairly described but it is also fair to say that it needs loads of money spending on it to bring it up to a really good standard or you accept its originality, warts (rust) and all . And "wax" lyrical about it... I always laugh when Wayne Carini talks about a "fantastic low mileage original car that we will do a complete restoration on ".... There was no point in anyone on here talking values down , quite the opposite . But I do think it was fair to point out anomalies if spotted. As for "willy waving " and suggesting that most on here have £20k cars , well pot and kettle . I can imagine being upset if I'd bought a load of cars and was looking for a quick buck though. Ho hum .

Chassis back home . Just need the rest of the bits and I can start bolting things on . This needs to happen soon as I've started looking at new hill climb cars .... Must say , the chassis is looking very nice

Mmm ... maybe not real bids - auctioneers can bid up to the reserve ...

JPS sold for £57500