Barn Find (sort Of)

[lwasson]

The 001 JPS is owned by a gentleman named James and is a member of the Lotus Ltd. South East chapter here in the USA.

Louis

'83 Turbo

[Nifty]

Any news ??

[ian heighway]

Hi,

I've not been online for a bit just seen this topic Barryj you must do this project my S1 had been standing for 15years in a damp wooden shed. brakes and clutch were rusted solid paint work was rough where was a list a mile long of things that needed doing but from the day a picked the car put to it going for a MOT was just 6 months working weekends and everning i stripped the hole car and lifted the body off the chassis every nut and bolt was removed cleaned or replaced. The Chassis and any thing else that was steel was shot off zinc coated and poweder coated. once the car was back together and running and back on the road i did the body work and a back to fiber-glass re-spray and had a full re- trim took about 18 months in total to get the car to the standard she is now cost me

[lotustt]

Ya whats the update on this, anyone pick this car up??

[bigched]

Only just came across this thread today after this morning having another proper weird reunion with another photo of a classic car on this very same street!

I'll give you all a bit of background on it. Firstly the time for which the car has stood. My gran parents lived on this street between 1987 and 1996, I was born in 1987. The car has been stood in the exact same spot since then so 25 years. The guy who owns the car from what I could remember as a kid always had other fast cars, I remember Caterhams in particular but always something swanky. Since I have been able to drive so 2004, I have had a nose to see if this car is still sitting where it sits. It still does.

Last year I actually prepared a letter to post through the door of the address but never got around to doing it. Having now purchased an esprit and realising how relatively easy they are to get vital bits for I may well pop over tomorrow to attempt to get the ball rolling.

I have know this car effectively since I was born, I spent a lot of time at my grandparents house until I was 10 and would walk past this car at least three times a week every week in that period.

If I can get it I will and will restore it to where it deserves to be. Even if for the immediate future I just store it in door whilst I gathered bits for it.

[The Veg]

I've just found this thread too. I've seen the JPS car in Atlanta owned by this James chap, even met him a time or two. I don't know specifics, but I've heard some mumblings that he's perpetrating a fraud and that it isn't really Andretti's car.

So what ever happened with the car Barryj was after?

[bigched]

Oh it'll still be there haven't had chance this week but I'm off work until Wednesday this week so will get down there and have a nose. Andretti's one would be an American numbered one anyway so not from the same numbering sequence as this one.

[Rover1]

So was this car ever saved.  I saw it in 2013 looking very sorry for itself.

[Bibs]

That's the one in Newtown in South Wales? Last I heard the owner had zero interest in selling sadly. 

[Rover1]

It's just outside Cwmbran.  I can't remember exactly where but its the same car as this thread was started about back in 2007.

[Barrykearley]

That should be compulsory purchased

[silverfrost]

Yes this s2 has been around the internet for years,  popping up every few years on the forum,  very sad to see it just left outside in the elements and such a shame the car has never been sold on to a new owner to restore it to its former glory.  Must be a reason why the current owners will not sell ?  

[Rover1]

They probably saw a mint restored one sell for £50k and think they can get that for theirs. 

[silverfrost]

Not sure about that James as this car has been around around for years with folks trying to purchase it,  Going back years when the asking price for project esprits was pocket change compaired with todays prices.   I  just wonder if a  sentimental  reason is why it sits on that drive rather than crazy price wanted ? 

[TAR]

The owner probably has the best intentions to restore it to its former glory and however misguided believe they will do it 'one day'. I can empatise with that feeling.  

[stephenwhyte]

What’s the latest timeline on your Turbo Resto Tim? I like many are super keen to see yours finished or at the very least painted and trimmed as it’s going to properly stand out when it’s back the way Lotus had it looking when it left Hethel!! 

[cbclotus]

As above Tim ....Stick at it .Said it before many times ...Boring I know ...But I do admire members who are good with spanners ....Mike

[TAR]

New garage is in the planning stage. Soon as thats done, I'll be able to crack on. Plus the Elite needs some love as well.  

[silverfrost]

10 hours ago, Buddsy said:

sentimental reasons? What he hates it?  Leaves it out in the elements to revert back to nature perhaps?

Maybe the owner is not a knob head but doing a science experiment working out the environmental life of an Esprit...still going! 

buddsy

Lol,

  No what i meant Buddsy was maybe the house is owned by the esprit owner parents maybe ,  the son could of passed away etc for all we know ?  

  I think the only way to help this poor car if the owners do not want to sell it on,  for what ever reason that may be.   

  Would be to maybe look into doing a group purchase for one of the lotus esprit outdoor covers,  If everybody chipped in would only cost a few sheckles,  Someone local could present it to the owners/owner  and this way the car at least gets a fighting chance of surviving a few more years and does not look like an eyesore. 

  It would also be a good chance to maybe find out why the car just sits there as the owner may open up about the reason etc.   We get to help the esprit, Bibs gets to sell a cover,  just my two pence 

 

[johnpwalsh]

2 hours ago, silverfrost said:

No what i meant Buddsy was maybe the house is owned by the esprit owner parents maybe ,  the son could of passed away etc for all we know ?  

This is well possible. I know of a MK1 Escort Mexico (I think) which sits on a guys drive. The car is chained to the ground so it cant be stolen or moved. Story is the guys son was working under the car and the jack collapsed killing the son. The car has not moved since and will be left to rot. Photographs of the car can be found on one of the many barn/shed finds pages on FB

[silverfrost]

Very sad story John,  folks sadly always forget how much weight can come crashing down,  Have always used axle stands for this reason and at the very least by the roadside always throw the wheel removed under the sill,  that way if the jack ever gives way, the only thing to get damaged would be the wheel or spare wheel and not yourself! 

 

 

 

[JerryS]

It’s a shame the OP didn’t post the results of his enquiries , though I guess it was very likely to have been a similar response I got when asking about a seemingly unloved Aston I noticed rotting away in a neighbour’s garden: It was indeed still owned by a son who had plans for it and was very aware of it’s value regardless of condition. All a bit sad.