S2 JPS project

[Fridge 947]

@Final Editionis still waiting for his, going the other way. Been ordered quite a while, but perhaps not as long.

I had to email them last week, as my simple order had been outstanding 3 weeks. They then sent it out. Steve said that they were working 130% (rubbing it in, as my business has had no income since the end of May). I think they've got a dry sump Turbo Esprit in for restoration.

[LOTUSMAN33 1,455]

Yes Lex is having his beautiful White 1980 dry sump restored by Steve and the team, they said their GRP shop is running behind at the moment so glad it was one of the first things I ordered, at the time James said 4 weeks
 

 

[Fridge 947]

That'll take some work.

[Lex Templar 336]

7 minutes ago, Fridge said:

That'll take some work.

This is the car..

[stephenwhyte 1,900]

Approx time for completion @Lex Templar?

[Lex Templar 336]

1 minute ago, stephenwhyte said:

Approx time for completion @Lex Templar?

asap! not much has happened since March....Hoping mid-next year.

[Fridge 947]

Is that to completion @Lex Templar ie driveable?

Mine took a further 2 years working part-time on it to get it on the road. I run a business, so my time is flexible.

[Lex Templar 336]

@Fridgeyes to drivable, I understand it will need time after to get it fully sorted. I imagine it will stay on in the UK for a while to do the rounds before it leaves and Steve can get it refined. Might call on some help though from any willing participants. I am pushing Steve to make this the best one out there (I know there are some strong ones being finished/finished) with a nice mix of an original interior and brand new everything else but using as much existing plastic trim as possible  It has all the good bits from factory (white/brown/roof stereo/comps) so it's worth the hefty investment.

@LOTUSMAN33sorry to hijack this!

[Lotusfab 3,177]

Turbo cars are the equivalent of doing an A level, whereas the S1 is more GCSE! There are so many more systems and complexity on the Turbo cars and it will take much longer to build and refine. It also costs much more to restore, as there are so many more parts. Have a look at the parts manual that gives a clue to the amount of work required. The body is so much more complex with all the extra fairings and skirts. Once you have it in one piece the work really starts. The Turbo adds so many more issues. The car looks great. Not sure what Steve is charging ,but I don’t think I could have afforded to pay him to build my car to my spec.
I heard of someone taking their newly purchased Turbo in to a garage with what they thought was a radiator problem. £47k later they had a useable Turbo! You may think this is excessive, but believe me the costs escalate really quickly. It also takes many man hours because its really awkward to work on. 
I am really looking forward to seeing this car and getting some pics. 

[Lex Templar 336]

@Lotusfab I was close to doing an S1 but try and find an original white w/tartan car and to buy an SJ level restored car the initial outlay was too much. 

I haven't given a budget - I want it done once and done properly for me to enjoy for 40 years..I'm banking on somewhere around 50K pounds, but when you think about it, we are all very lucky our dream cars are relatively cheap to get you hands on. I don't think there is anything short of an F40 that I would prefer over my perfect Esprit. I'm sure you all understand. I do think I got it for a good price in the end for its rarity.

The thing with all these cars, once they are taken apart there are no nasty surprises. I dont have the mechanical expertise to do it myself and certainly no-one in Australia could restore this car properly, hence it's with Steve who I believe is the best person to oversee the resto.

@LOTUSMAN33you are doing a wonderful through job very much enjoying watching this thread - Looking forward to catching up with you all - the day my car is finished and I come over to collect it.

Cheers,

Lex

[Lotusfab 3,177]

It will be a fantastic car when done.

[Fridge 947]

@Lex Templar I'm not sure if that price includes the purchase price, but I expect doesn't. Speaking from the experience of a thorough restoration of an S1 your budget seems a tad optimistic, especially given it's being done by a commercial outfit, and the engine aspects associated with your car.

I've got a spreadsheet of my restoration to the absolute penny. It includes everything, even grit paper and masking tape. Yeah, I'm that sad. But I had to make sure I was completely on top of the costs of mine, as I knew from experience the rebuild was going to be extensive, even more so that my others, and I needed to be able to justify it's overall expenditure without resorting to a finger in the air estimate.

I'd have to say though, if you can maintain the budget and thoroughness I'm sure your dry sump Turbo Esprit will be up there with the best of the bunch.  As you say, having originality will set it apart. Just expect to have to dig a little deeper (unfortunately). I'm sure Steve will keep you informed of where he's at in the restoration on a regular basis. As there are always surprises in a car restoration. Those challenges are part of the thrill.

BTW, don't dis home restorations, we enthusiasts do not charge for our time and effort, and I didn't log mine, but it's been extensive. Unlike my home life, in my business life time is money, and it's spent according to my client's available budget.

I'd also invest in a good tool kit and start picking up some home mechanic tips!

[Lex Templar 336]

@Fridge no not including the purchase price, but looking back I'm surprised no-one else dared to venture there as the situation wasn't as dire as it was made out. It needed restoring rather than recommissioning. The car is currently painted, chassis stripped and galvanised, I've paid for all the new suspension and brakes as well as all the engine hardware and machining etc..so really everything needs to be put back together. Simple hey  One area that I will save on is the interior - original carpet and leather will remain, just the roof lining to be replaced. I have a fair idea where I'm at - I do know there are no huge surprises as everything is apart. Steve has said the body was excellent to start and also the chassis. 

Don't get me wrong I wish I could do it myself, i wouldn't have the time and this car deserves more than my first attempt. I admire all the work you guys do. Mind you this isnt my first Turbo Esprit so I have some experience owing them.

When you break down the cost over the time period, it's not really any different to paying off a new M3 that will halve in value - whereas I feel like this is money in the bank long term. Key is to keep the modest daily driver.

Lex.

[Fridge 947]

Spot on there @Lex Templar 

New cars are a waste of money in terms of deflation. Though classic cars are in no way a rock steady investment.

The more originality retained the better.

[skiing 107]

I have to say that this has the best interior in my opinion. I would love to have mine re-done with a tobacco interior - it looks so good. 

[LOTUSMAN33 1,455]

Frustrating weekend as the timing belt SJ sent was the wrong length and should have been a standard 133 x 1” type so preventing the engine going in.

Still managed to spend a good few hours both days doing lots of odd jobs;

Oil pump primed, temp belt fitted and timing marks now position with pulleys turned for U.K. spec.

New Carbs built up on manifold

Rear brakes built up 

Rear shocks fitted 

All new fastenings fitted in there tapped holes ready for final assembly

Lots of painting and tidying 

New number plate fitted ready for its first drive I estimate to be early next year once interior is back and electrics sorted.

I picked up a Gates belt tonight and fitted on the engine, getting good with tensioning by feel as spot on with gauge when checked so good to run then check again after.
It’s going in this weekend....I hope

Dave  

 

[Fridge 947]

Near impossible to do that level of work whilst still in the car. Good decision.

[v8vantage 232]

4 hours ago, Fridge said:

Near impossible to do that level of work whilst still in the car. Good decision.

What a load of old twaddle, I did even more with the engine in the car and just removed the gearbox to fit a new rear seal. The cars are so simple it's no problem for a competent mechanic to do all the work with the engine still in. 

[Barrykearley 6,855]

Maybe so @v8vantage but it takes a few hours to pop out the lump - and then saves that multiple times over with the ease of working on the engine on the bench.

[andyj007 407]

Dave really  lovely job,  just lovely

 

 

 

 

Edited October 20, 2020 by andyj007

[Lotusfab 3,177]

Nice job Dave, hope to see it sometime.

[v8vantage 232]

19 hours ago, LOTUSMAN33 said:

Rear shocks fitted 

Lots of painting and tidying 

 

 

 

 

What's with the gold shock absorbers, are they originals or replacements. I think the ones that came on the car were metallic blue. 

[LOTUSMAN33 1,455]

Bit of poetic change Roo that’s all, they are the blue originals just repainted with new domestic springs and top bumper rubbers. 

[LOTUSMAN33 1,455]

The engine is in, bit of a pain doing it on your own constantly up and down checking nothing is fouling but done

I jacked the car up 3” higher than when I removed it which made a big difference.

One hell of an angle in the end and lost some gearbox oil from the speedo drive.

Finally on the mounts although I need to remove the RH mount again as the AC hoses should run below looking at it after, no hardship to sort out though.

So nice to have it back on its skates and check out the ride height when still not fully built so well pleased with those domestic springs.
Now I can get the engine bay built back up and hopefully start on the front end recommissioning.

Dave  

 

[LOTUSMAN33 1,455]

Binnacle back from the trimmers today along with dash panel with speaker perforated holes ready to install, he is doing my A panel trims next so I can get the binnacle installed ready to start the car.

He is doing a lovely Tartan S1 Retrim in black and red hunting Menzies which is going to look ace when done. 
Dave