The Esprit Build Process

[Guest Chelsea Martyn]

Hello all....

My thurst for knowledge continues on the Esprit!

I was looking over some of the paperwork that I had collated when looking at Esprits to buy, and I have made an observation.

Some cars registered as 99 and 00 models on the V5, actually have a Cobra alam cert. saying they were fitted in as early as 97 and 98. I assumed all Esprits were built to order, assuming that it takes a week to build an Esprit, why are there huge date gaps between the alarm fitting date to registration? Were they sitting around at Hethel for that long?

Another thing I have noticed, some earlier models I looked at actually have a higher sequence/runing engine number that some newer ones.

example: T reg Esprit starts LL91899**********

and a V reg one starts LL91898**********

After the zeros the remaining 6 digits some are 33**** some are 68**** and some 93****

Does this mean anything?

I look forward to the answers... If there are any clear cut ones!

[Rob]

I don't think esprits were built to order at that time (or any time?).

I can remember visiting dealers in the late nineties and seeing unregistered esprits sitting in the showroom. ie its more likely there were cars sitting around unreg'd at dealers for some time, rather than at the factory (or maybe both??)

[silverfrost]

Hi, i have a feeling that the alarm systems where fitted at the dealers by a qaulified cobra or thatham aproved mechanic (tech) normally during the PDI the pre delivery inspection ie number plates fitted, alarm, check everything ok for the new customer ( A BRAND SPANKING NEW ESPRIT WHAT A DREAM! )maybe in my next life! thats my theory because it happens at other dealers,not so much now though because there are a lot of factory fitted alarms as standard now. well thats my theory anyway as for the engine numbers have not got a scoobys!

Edited October 9, 2005 by silverfrost