Popular Post John Bond Posted January 13, 2020 Popular Post Report Share Posted January 13, 2020 Hi everyone I am new to this forum and this is my first message. As a keen collector of Bond cars, I recently acquired a nice white Lotus Esprit S1 to add to my collection. Although the car is originally english (it's a RHD), it is am import from another european country. She arrived safe in London where I live last week. This vehicle is in decent condition (pictures attached) for her age, but I still would like to do a complete check as the car has not been driven a lot in the last 10 years and there are a few things that need fixing (the rear gear is very hard to find and there seems to be a starter issue). Do you know any specialist (ideally close to London) that are used to working on old Esprits ? Many thanks and HNY everyone J 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM Dan E Posted January 13, 2020 Gold FFM Report Share Posted January 13, 2020 @Sparky is your man, but only after he has done my clutch 😂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM Sparky Posted January 13, 2020 Gold FFM Report Share Posted January 13, 2020 (edited) Mate, after all the delays I've had for the last 3 months, I'll be playing catchup well into Spring! I do love playing with a nice S1. Edited January 13, 2020 by Sparky 1 1 Quote British Fart to Florida, Nude to New York, Dunce to Denmark, Numpty to Newfoundland. And Shitfaced Silly Sod to Sweden. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Coleman Posted January 13, 2020 Report Share Posted January 13, 2020 5 hours ago, John Bond said: Hi everyone I am new to this forum and this is my first message. As a keen collector of Bond cars, I recently acquired a nice white Lotus Esprit S1 to add to my collection. Although the car is originally english (it's a RHD), it is am import from another european country. She arrived safe in London where I live last week. This vehicle is in decent condition (pictures attached) for her age, but I still would like to do a complete check as the car has not been driven a lot in the last 10 years and there are a few things that need fixing (the rear gear is very hard to find and there seems to be a starter issue). Do you know any specialist (ideally close to London) that are used to working on old Esprits ? Many thanks and HNY everyone J That looks like a good find What chassis number is it? Quote Lotus Esprit [meaning] a 1:1 scale Airfix kit with a propensity to catch fire Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Bond Posted January 13, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 13, 2020 Thanks ! I probably need sth more rapidly though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fridge Posted January 14, 2020 Report Share Posted January 14, 2020 Sorry, I'm based up on the North Yorkshire coast, but I have tackled pretty much everything on the S1. You can check up my restoration blog on 'catch up' here https://www.thelotusforums.com/forums/topic/106541-giugiaro-esprit-s1-full-restoration/ Generally, the car is pretty much standard mechanically, but finding a mechanic who appreciates it, and is going to put in the groundwork to research it's intricacies isn't going to be easy, but you certainly do not need to go too far to find someone as is usually indicated on here or on the various Facebook groups. The reverse gear selection is most probably just a turn of the nut adjustment on the gearbox bellhousing near the engine block, or an adjustment at the gear selection lever on the top/rear. Starting issues could be the starter, which is weak for the size of the engine, or a tuning issue. Check that it has a good earth connection before doing anything else. It'll be a simple maintenance issue. If the car hasn't been run for much for 10 years, check the timing belt and tensioner. It'll probably be OK for road testing, but some indication from the previous owner of it's age would be ideal. However I assume you purchased it from a dealer. There are a number of other S1 owner/restorers on here. @Paul Coleman above, @jonroberts, @bgalbraith, @grimreaper, @madrocket amongst others. They're a font of knowledge. Other folk are @CHANGES and @Sparky mentioned above. They seem have a very good general knowledge of all Esprits. Don't go down the rabbit warren that some do, these cars are relatively simple and the answer is usually the obvious one. @JNW3 is London-based and I'm sure he knows someone decent to recommend for maintenance. I'd suggest checking out Mark at Stocks Coachworks as probably being one of your classic esprit folks http://www.stockssportscars.co.uk/ I've heard UK Sportscars (Kent), who deal in them are best avoided. Easy for me, as they're flippin' miles away! Good luck, and enjoy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Bond Posted January 14, 2020 Author Report Share Posted January 14, 2020 Thank you so much for this very informed post - much appreciated @Fridge 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fridge Posted January 14, 2020 Report Share Posted January 14, 2020 17 minutes ago, John Bond said: Thank you so much for this very informed post - much appreciated @Fridge Welcome to "the club". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bgalbraith Posted January 14, 2020 Report Share Posted January 14, 2020 John, I have lots of useful Lotus information on my web site: www.holycows.net/Lotus. You might check it out. There is a LOT of good information in emails of this group: https://groups.io/g/S1S2euroS3LotusEspritOwners/topics Best of luck, Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Suddabym Posted January 15, 2020 Report Share Posted January 15, 2020 If you're looking for a G Esprit specialist garage, then try Nick at Tomorrow's Classics (07719 945325). What he doesn't know about an S1 etc. He also restores Bell and Colvill's (in Sussex) classic Lotus'. Quote Sudders and Dany Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JNW3 Posted January 15, 2020 Report Share Posted January 15, 2020 Hi there - congrats on the car - looks good in the pictures Gerald at GST Performance in Newmarket looks after my S1, but you need to book your car in well in advance - any genuinely good specialist will have a waiting list of cars and you just have to join the queue, so you'll probably need to be patient! @Sparky is in Watford and is also an Esprit whisperer and while I have no doubt that the @Dan E clutch issue will probably turn into a full rebuild of his car, Sparky probably would still be your quickest option near to London. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM Dan E Posted January 16, 2020 Gold FFM Report Share Posted January 16, 2020 @JNW3 we are going to fall out 😂 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lotusfab Posted April 25, 2022 Report Share Posted April 25, 2022 On 13/01/2020 at 14:52, John Bond said: Hi everyone I am new to this forum and this is my first message. As a keen collector of Bond cars, I recently acquired a nice white Lotus Esprit S1 to add to my collection. Although the car is originally english (it's a RHD), it is am import from another european country. She arrived safe in London where I live last week. This vehicle is in decent condition (pictures attached) for her age, but I still would like to do a complete check as the car has not been driven a lot in the last 10 years and there are a few things that need fixing (the rear gear is very hard to find and there seems to be a starter issue). Do you know any specialist (ideally close to London) that are used to working on old Esprits ? Many thanks and HNY everyone J Just saw this, I am a bit behind the curve! The other two lotus experts near London are Max 500 in Guildford and Tim at Lakeside Engineering in Woking. Tim was trained by Lotus and used to maintain Colin Chapmans cars. Max worked with him, but now they have separate garages. Max maintained the Esprit for Top Gear. Both are excellent mechanics and have vast experience of the Esprit. As your post was a long time ago you probably have found someone, but its always useful to know other people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Bond Posted April 26, 2022 Author Report Share Posted April 26, 2022 Hey no pb at all ! I have indeed found someone (Paul Matty) and they did a great job but thanks for sharing ! Really helpful for next time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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