Gold FFM Jeremy STANDEN Posted July 18, 2021 Gold FFM Report Share Posted July 18, 2021 Hi to all and very pleased to join TLF. Am the new owner of a UK market 1983 turbo Esprit which l recently stumbled across listed as a Lotus kit car in a local facebook group out here in Durban South Africa. Fitted with a Ford essex 3L Locally manf engine and with front and rear end "updated" body reproviling along with a registration from 2005 as a new bakkie ( local term for pickup truck ) MBOZA DUZI l was really not sure l was looking at in the long grass until l found her genuine VIN number stamped in the usual front offside position. The seller, a local car dealer, could only tell me that he bought the car from a very old man who had been denied registration as a new Lotus Esprit by protest from Lotus themselves ( not surprisingly ) and thus a new bakkie was registered. If anyone knows more of the cars history l should be very pleased to hear from them thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM Barrykearley Posted July 18, 2021 Gold FFM Report Share Posted July 18, 2021 Looks like a bastardised x180 body shell. Bet it’s sat on a lotus chassis. Quote Only here once Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eeyoreish Posted July 18, 2021 Report Share Posted July 18, 2021 Doors and bonnet look like X180 but B post and rear end look more like a G car. Those rear wheels are tucked in a long way too… 1 Quote Not worth starting anything now...🍺 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bibs Posted July 18, 2021 Report Share Posted July 18, 2021 That's does look like an X180 and S3 joined at the B pillar. Welcome to TLF, interesting car! 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...
Gold FFM Jeremy STANDEN Posted July 18, 2021 Author Gold FFM Report Share Posted July 18, 2021 Thanks for the helpful interest, as l gently pull back the curtains l have so far found that the original nose remains behind the front now showing with about a 100mm void. Certainly the body has been removed at some point as the galvanised chassis is now a jolly red. My own knowledge is limited to an excel which l sold 30 years ago so please keep the insights coming as l post more pics whilst unveiling her 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
910Esprit Posted July 18, 2021 Report Share Posted July 18, 2021 Citroen transaxle, but I dont recognise the bellhousing. eg starter is on the left. You also are missing a crossmember that should run across the top of the box Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM Jeremy STANDEN Posted July 18, 2021 Author Gold FFM Report Share Posted July 18, 2021 Thanks, l do have the u section cross member, am now in dis- assembly as the old cast iron essex motor at 200kgs and 100kw is a poor choice some one has made for a pocket supercar? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exeterjeep Posted July 18, 2021 Report Share Posted July 18, 2021 If you send the VIN number to Bibs, by private message, then that may shed some light of parts of its history. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramjet Posted July 18, 2021 Report Share Posted July 18, 2021 Welcome to TLF Jeremy. That will keep you busy for awhile. 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...
LOTUSMAN33 Posted July 18, 2021 Report Share Posted July 18, 2021 That really is a strange car, for a moment I wondered if it was this car which disappeared in SA but that was a S1 where this is definitely S3 based. Its been a lot of work and must have a lot of filler to get those shapes. Lots of potential and no doubt a good bit of fun. Welcome to TLF 👍🏻, look forward to seeing what you do with it. Dave Quote Do or do not, there is no try! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM Jeremy STANDEN Posted July 18, 2021 Author Gold FFM Report Share Posted July 18, 2021 Thanks again for the interest and insight.Moving on to my intentions with the car, l wish to use her as a track car for the most part and thus concentrate on performance and handling, came across a Jaguar S type with a healthy AJ30 motor which l believe others have already made installations into Esprits but my big caution is her original C35 gearbox and diff which l stripped out yesterday and found several teeth broken on 2 gears on the output shaft. Want to have the whole diff/box rebuilt and understand l shall have to ship the unit overseas, my question is which gearbox specialist? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LOTUSMAN33 Posted July 18, 2021 Report Share Posted July 18, 2021 Harry Martens at HML in the Netherlands is the Citroen box expert. 👍🏻 Quote Do or do not, there is no try! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eeyoreish Posted July 18, 2021 Report Share Posted July 18, 2021 Some Ford Sierra content at the back there I think 🤔 Quote Not worth starting anything now...🍺 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.