SAVE THE ESPRIT VARI MOULDS - HELP REQUIRED!

[Bibs 11,111]

I'm in need of a kind benefactor with lots of space.

Lotus have the VARI moulds and bonding/fettling jigs for the Esprit and they're headed for a skip as they've sat in storage for some years now.

They've been offered to me however I need somewhere to keep them, TLF HQ isn't an option and I don't want to get into long term storage costs.

Rather than see them destroyed we if we can find somewhere for them then they'll be available ongoing. It's unlikely we'll be able to use them as VARI units however they'd be usable for handlay moulds and their existence would offer some sort of path for future parts/panels rather than not.

We'll also need help moving/transporting them.

Anyone?

[mike_sekinger 694]

Hi Bibs,

Me !... I have storage space ;-))

Let me know if that is of interest?

Cheers,

Mike S

[Backmarker 6]

Congrats in securing 'em.

Letting them be destroyed isn't an option.

I see Mike's volunteered

Love the Darth Vader model BTW

[Advantage 910]

I volunteer to drive the van down to Mike's place, as I missed out on popping in earlier on this year.

[Jonathan 13]

Any other moulds they dont want ?!

[Sparky 2,830]

I'll bring the sandwiches.

[Bibs 11,111]

Me !... I have storage space ;-))

I volunteer to drive the van down to Mike's place, as I missed out on popping in earlier on this year.

Legends

[Jukka 17]

[scott 1]

If it's a help I have space near Gatwick, and a 3.5 tonne Luton...........

Scott.

[Jonathan 13]

Need a co-pilot ?

Sure I could bunk a few days from the office

[molemot 521]

I once had the original aluminium handbeaten moulds from the GT40...Mk IV iirc, it was a looong time ago. I thought they were safe in a friends garden, but the space was wanted for a garden pond and......without any reference back to me.....they went down the tip; a fate from which I had saved them in the first place!! Let's not have a similar tragedy with these moulds....a major part of Esprit history.... is it just the X180 moulds or all of them?

[Günter 28]

Know a space where other (KIT-car) molds are stored too..

And as far as I see it, *streetz* already asket something about those Esprit molds lately ?!

[gospeedv8 15]

I do have the storage space. Long term and the costs are not a problem . Its my facility.

But i'm located in austria. I guess thats a little bit far away to be a help ...

[matk 17]

If they are coming down to Mike's then I know a good place to stop en route for some R and R!!!!

[streetz 0]

Haha, dragi it would be even nicer to have the moulds closer to Berlin! and Günter is right, i was asking for the moulds Dur to thoughts about Building an Esprit made of carbon... I would help using the moulds from time to time =)

But i Could also help moving them, if i have time.

[Kimbers 1,766]

Andyclements has a huge barn full of broken down cars and it's only a couple of miles from the factory. So if you don't want to drive down to France I would suggest asking him

[ramjet 1,085]

Space? I got your space right here mun...

[red vtec 177]

Does it have to be internal or can they be stored outdoors?

[streetz 0]

I guess the question of in- or outdoors depends on storing or using it. Also keeping nature in mind, I wouldn´t want the moulds to molder In case, the moulds are somewhere inside, I would think about using them to build a carbon-Esprit myself!(If the place is not too far away)

Edited October 2, 2010 by streetz

[Simon350S 192]

WOW missed this thread.

I know you we talking about it last time we chatted but didn't realise it was happening!

Its an awesome opportunity and its fabulous that there are volanteers to store it. If I had indoor space I'd offer. Wouldnt want them stored outside I don't think that'd do them any good at all......

[Bibs 11,111]

We're still struggling with transportation and time is getting tight. I'm guessing getting them to France is going to cost around £1k for truck/crossing/fuel etc. Any ideas?

[Simon350S 192]

7.5 tonne curtain side 3 day hire for £438.75 Would that be big enough? Ferry fuel... etc..... I guess £1k is about right, maybe a little more?

Is it just the X180 moulds or is it the later V8 type too? Is there a difference? is it top and bottom?

Don't we have a HGV driver on here who volanteered for something before? Was it Kimberlillyloo or am I dreaming?

I'm not able to assist in the physical logistics of this till late November unless my schedule changes which could push this date later than that. If it can wait that long then I'm all hands on to help.

I may be able to offer Temp dry storage in South Wales if that helps at all while the bigger picture is organised? and if it will all fit into a double garage which I doubt.

[andydclements 749]

And now you're dreaming of Kimbers.

[Simon350S 192]

You'd not even want to entertain the thoughts that go on in my head at night. It can get extremely disturbing in there at times!

[matk 17]

From experience, driving this neck of woods is approx £180 return in Diesel from yours. Obviously extra to get to Norfolk and back. Tolls about €40 return, if you avoid Paris and come via Rouen. If you try to stay close to Paris tolls go to €65. Route through Paris looks shorter, but more hassle/stress. My route through Rouen is only 20 mins longer calculating by Satnav, and in practise works out quicker when you factor in Paris traffic, however..........

Those toll fees are for a car. I've done the journey in a van and its been the same, but on one trip, the toll booth spat out a ticket from the high level dispenser (for lorries) and that incurred a higher charge at the next Peage booth. I'm not definite on this but I think some of the booths have a height measuring system which in a large van may kick you onto a different tariff.

You already know I think, not to fuel on the autoroutes. If you are def coming over I'll forward you details of a "half way" petrol station I use that'll give you non autoroute prices, but not too far off the beaten track.

I can't help but feel that yet again you're exploring the depths of your own pockets for the greater benefit of the community.

If you commit to doing it I'm publicly committing, here, that there'll be £50 from me towards it. A small drop in the ocean, but hopefully it might tip anybody else reading this to consider helping out the same way.

As far as manpower goes, I'm in the UK last week of Oct catching up on docs, dentists, taxman etc. Planned to fly back Fri 29th. If you make the journey around then I'll happily bob over, lend a hand, and drive down with you?