Gold FFM Popular Post paulbrown22 Posted May 16, 2021 Gold FFM Popular Post Report Share Posted May 16, 2021 After several years of lurking/researching here, I finally started seriously looking at and bidding on S3's last year. Won one on Ebay in December but never managed to actually complete the deal, and then this one popped up locally, a 1987 HC NA, which is my favourite model as well. Much as I always said I'd never own any black car, when I went to look this was just so striking in black with the double red pinstripe that I decided I could make an exception! Overall it is in very good condition with the previous owner looking after it for 18 years, but I've already started making a few tweaks to it since taking delivery couple of weeks ago, and will slowly make a few more minor improvements as well, hopefully in between driving and enjoying it. When things open up again will hopefully meet some other owners in and around London/Kent/Essex. Regards, Paul 11 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM Barrykearley Posted May 16, 2021 Gold FFM Report Share Posted May 16, 2021 Sure looks lovely Quote Only here once Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisJ Posted May 16, 2021 Report Share Posted May 16, 2021 Looks great. You missed our breakfast meeting this morning. I've added you to our monthly PM, so you will know when next month's is organised. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM paulbrown22 Posted May 16, 2021 Author Gold FFM Report Share Posted May 16, 2021 12 minutes ago, ChrisJ said: Looks great. You missed our breakfast meeting this morning. I've added you to our monthly PM, so you will know when next month's is organised. Super, thanks Chris - a shame I missed today, although admittedly we did have another engagement, even if that did get rained off at the last minute... If it's a similar location again, that's only 30-40 mins away for me from Canary Wharf, so would love to join another time - will keep my eyes out! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bibs Posted May 17, 2021 Report Share Posted May 17, 2021 Stunning Paul, welcome to TLF 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 comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frickin_idiot Posted May 17, 2021 Report Share Posted May 17, 2021 That car is the bees knees. It looks like you have made a fantastic choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM windymiller Posted May 17, 2021 Gold FFM Report Share Posted May 17, 2021 car envy !!! welcome tho 😃 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bazza 907 Posted May 17, 2021 Report Share Posted May 17, 2021 The N/A S3 is a fantastic choice and being an HC even better. As I recall yours is one of two and probably the one I saw about 25 years ago parked outside a hotel. Still looks absolutely lovely. Well done on your purchase, hope to see it sometime soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM paulbrown22 Posted May 17, 2021 Author Gold FFM Report Share Posted May 17, 2021 Thanks all - very happy to be an owner finally! Bazza - yes, I have yet to get my CoP (obviously will do it through the forums here), but having seen the certificate for the other car, there were only 2 black HC's built, the other with a double gold pinstripe. That car also sold late last year, and had been on the market for quite a long time in 2019 too. I kept looking at it back then, but at the time the gold for some reason just didn't do it for me, despite being in seemingly great condition overall. I'd always really wanted a Calypso Red one, but clearly the black slowly permeated into my brain, and I'm happy it did! A lot of interesting coincidences in the history of mine too - it lived on Canary Wharf for a few years in the 1990's just along the road from me, and is now back again! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gis Posted May 17, 2021 Report Share Posted May 17, 2021 Brilliant car Paul! Welcome to the forum. Quote Ad initium Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM skiing Posted May 18, 2021 Gold FFM Report Share Posted May 18, 2021 I saw this one up for sale - looks very smart. As am thinking of getting mine returned to its original colour of black, it is good to see a black one like this. I hope to see it for real at some point soon! There is something very cool about driving an esprit around the Docklands and seeing the reflection in all the glass... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramjet Posted May 19, 2021 Report Share Posted May 19, 2021 Welcome to TLF Paul. Much like the story behind me getting my S4./ I could n to find the right car so I told my wife I was giving the idea up. An hour later, the car that I now own popped up on Carsales over here. Some things are just meant to be. Congratulations on your car. Hope it gives you absolute enjoyment. Any questions or issues with using the forums, feel free to ask one of us mods. We're here to help. Quote All we know is that when they stop making this, we will be properly, properly sad.Jeremy Clarkson on the Esprit. Opinions are like armpits. Everyone has them, some just stink more than others. For forum issues, please contact one of us Moderators. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slewthy Posted May 21, 2021 Report Share Posted May 21, 2021 Welcome Paul and great choice! Mine is a 1986 black S3 so very similar looking, barring the sunroof and red pinstripes. The main visual I changed on my car were the wheels - now has gold centres and diamond cut rims. FYI. Si Quote "Intellectuals solve problems; geniuses prevent them." Albert Einstein Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM paulbrown22 Posted May 21, 2021 Author Gold FFM Report Share Posted May 21, 2021 Thanks all - it hadn't alerted me to these last few posts, so I missed them. Skiing - yes, I'm not usually a black car fan at all but for this shape I think it works really well. I certainly hope to join a local meet up soon, or just shout if you want to see it to help make your colour decision, we're only just off Canary Wharf, and it's quite often driving around the vicinity at the moment on any possible errand... Ramjet - I remember when I first showed an Esprit to me wife and she didn't like the shape at all, regardless of colour. Thankfully in the few years since she now thinks it's really striking as well, and prefers it to the alternative Porsches and the like I was also looking at! Slewthy - great to hear of more black S3's! Yes, the wheels are definitely on my list to do at some point, as two of them have a few marks. I did find some old photos of mine from the 90's where a previous owner had red centres - I keep looking at those photos, but think that's maybe a bit too much red, as the stripes by themselves are quite delicate. I do like the diamond cut rims though, will eventually get some quotes for mine, even if I do stay with silver centres. If the weather holds out on Sunday I'm hoping for a London to Kettering run as it's first longer distance test, as I'm due there for some voluntary work with the Sea Cadets. Fingers' crossed (for the weather, not the car!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM Popular Post paulbrown22 Posted May 27, 2021 Author Gold FFM Popular Post Report Share Posted May 27, 2021 (edited) London to Kettering was indeed successfully completed last Sunday, although the car got very slightly rained on while parked up there for the day (and I forgot to take photos by the water!). So combined with the 200 mile return journey needed a wash, which I quickly did at lunchtime today as it was so nice outside, and just popped to the garage to fill it up ready for the next adventure. It did 30mpg by my calculation so very happy with that, and definitely more economical than taking the main car, so man maths wins... Hopefully taking it out tomorrow for two visits in London and Kent, which makes it a very enjoyable day out of the office. Looking forward to the North Weald meet in a few weeks too, let's hope the better weather stays around for that. Edited May 27, 2021 by paulbrown22 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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