Popular Post V8lightweight 51 Posted May 25, 2019 Popular Post Report Share Posted May 25, 2019 I purchased an '89 Turbo SE a short while ago, which was featured in the first issue of Absolute Lotus. It was more of a 'straw-filled' garage find, than a barn find, but through a very sad turn of events, had sat under a tarpaulin for 10 years or so. The car has been in the same family from new. The car had an engine rebuild before becoming tarpaulin-bound, but seems only to have done 5 miles or since (so the belt and hoses need doing). Whilst everything us there, including the original dealer plates, tool kit etc, the method of storage has meant it's in a sorry old state. In the last couple of months, I've part-stripped it, it's been to the paint shop and is having new carpets and seats. It should be coming home next week, then needs to be rebuilt (after a couple of little things, such as the removal of the engine and tanks!) By the end of next month for my God-Daughter's prom Deep breath..... 3 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
V8lightweight 51 Posted May 25, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 25, 2019 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post V8lightweight 51 Posted May 25, 2019 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted May 25, 2019 6 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gold FFM Dan E 1,424 Posted May 25, 2019 Gold FFM Report Share Posted May 25, 2019 Good effort Sir. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
82s3 11 Posted May 26, 2019 Report Share Posted May 26, 2019 Who did the respray and, if you don't mind me asking, how much did they charge you? Bob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Llewelyn82 88 Posted May 26, 2019 Report Share Posted May 26, 2019 What a great project!! Looking forward to more updates I was going to ask the same question about the respray! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
silverfrost 1,387 Posted May 26, 2019 Report Share Posted May 26, 2019 Fantastic Job, Nice to see some Stevens cars getting a full resto, its normally the G cars Quote A Link to post Share on other sites
Bibs 10,688 Posted May 28, 2019 Report Share Posted May 28, 2019 Quote 88 Esprit NA, 89 Esprit Turbo SE, Evora, Evora S, Evora IPS, Evora S IPS, Evora S IPS SR, Evora 400, Elise S1, Elise S1 111s, Evora GT410 Sport Evora NA For forum issues, please contact the Moderators. I will aim to respond to emails/PM's Mon-Fri 9-6 GMT. Link to post Share on other sites
V8lightweight 51 Posted May 29, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 29, 2019 Hi chaps, the respray was done by Clint Drake at Wild West Custom paint in Exeter. Absolutely lovely bloke, and the job is excellent. I stripped the car right down (especially enjoyed taking the bumpers off!) and paid 2.5k, plus a couple if extras (specialist glass removal etc) albeit that it was done as a 'hospital' job as and when he had a bit of free space. Would thoroughly recommend him to anyone in the area (he did work to my TVR and 944, both of which were every bit as good). Cheers, Steve Quote Link to post Share on other sites
jonwat 362 Posted May 29, 2019 Report Share Posted May 29, 2019 1 hour ago, V8lightweight said: Hi chaps, the respray was done by Clint Drake at Wild West Custom paint in Exeter. Absolutely lovely bloke, and the job is excellent. So, how about some pics of the finished job then? Quote Cheers, John W http://jonwatkins.co.uk Link to post Share on other sites
V8lightweight 51 Posted May 29, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 29, 2019 It went straight from the paint shop to the trimmers, so hasn't been home yet! I'll get some pics as soon as I get it back 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
V8lightweight 51 Posted May 31, 2019 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2019 Quick visit to the trimmers today. Seats being tensioned and carpets nearly done. On 29/05/2019 at 08:55, jonwat said: 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
V8lightweight 51 Posted June 3, 2019 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2019 Bit of tinkering before the car comes home tomorrow - scraping the old veneer from the dash (anyone just lacquered the bard masks?) and rebuilding the headlong mounting panels. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gold FFM Escape 743 Posted June 4, 2019 Gold FFM Report Share Posted June 4, 2019 I didn't like te veneer either, especially as it was all cracked. So I scraped it off and just had it painted black. You get a bit of texture from the wood, so it doesn't look like cheap plastic. Very happy with it. Filip 1 Quote I have made many mistakes in my life. Buying a multiple Lotus is not one of them. Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post V8lightweight 51 Posted June 5, 2019 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted June 5, 2019 Thank you Filip - I think that I might well try that as a temporary solution, as I can always get it re-veneered at a later date. Its now home from the trimmers and on axle stands while the wheels are being powder coated. Just need to find some tyres next..... 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
maydharm 38 Posted June 5, 2019 Report Share Posted June 5, 2019 Looking good, keep up the good/hard work. Is Sinderella going to make it to the ball? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
V8lightweight 51 Posted June 5, 2019 Author Report Share Posted June 5, 2019 I sincerely hope so, but I've organised an E30 M3 to be on standby just in case! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post maydharm 38 Posted June 5, 2019 Popular Post Report Share Posted June 5, 2019 Nice, I took my daughter to her prom in my V8, it went down a storm, hope you get done in time. Jaz in the Middle 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post V8lightweight 51 Posted June 6, 2019 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted June 6, 2019 Bolted a few bits back on this afternoon. Its squeezed in the garage, but I couldn't resist a few pictures of the finish. 4 5 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post V8lightweight 51 Posted June 7, 2019 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted June 7, 2019 Early start this morning - picking up a few bits from the powder-coaters. 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
silverfrost 1,387 Posted June 7, 2019 Report Share Posted June 7, 2019 New paintwork looks stunning, always nice to put the Lotus badge on, wheels look top notch also, this will be a lovely car to own and you will benefit from knowing it inside out too, which is an added bonus. Keep up the great work and the pics coming too 1 Quote A Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post V8lightweight 51 Posted July 7, 2019 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted July 7, 2019 After a bit of an hiatus, there are a few bits going back on now (smallest always take the longest time). A few more photos of the progress.... Headlight backing plates and adjusters replaced/rebuilt... 3 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post V8lightweight 51 Posted July 22, 2019 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted July 22, 2019 Still a fair way to go, but it did make it to its first show! 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post V8lightweight 51 Posted December 30, 2019 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted December 30, 2019 After a job change and an appalling long time of no work on the Esprit, I sent the dash off to a truly lovely bloke for a refurb in November. I never thought that the light coloured veneer looked appropriate for the navy interior, so I asked for it to be darkened a little. It came back just before Christmas and WOW, what a fantastic job! I rebuilt the dash pod today and it looks amazing in the car - just the sort of incentive that I needed to get going again! 4 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
LOTUSMAN33 1,197 Posted December 31, 2019 Report Share Posted December 31, 2019 Lovely job, SE’s look really good in white. The seats are very nice as well, who trimmed them? Dave Quote Do or do not, there is no try! Link to post Share on other sites
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