G-Car Buyer's Tip Sheet

[tbeggan]

I had some time, so I consolodated all the info from the previous thread about what to look for when buying a G-car. We can refine it as we go. Thanks to everyone who provided input. I'm sure there's more to come.

http://home.comcast.net/~tbeggan/g-car_tip_sheet.htm

[slade]

add one thing (that was actually buried in that thread) that apparently a lot of people who have owned the cars for years don't know...

WIPERS:  Like the rest of us, you'll embarrass yourself someday by not being able to deactivate the wipers. You actually need to turn them FULLY onto the high speed setting, then back to OFF.

You don't actually need to do that! Just flick the switch on then off again they'll go off, I swear

slade

[Michael Blue]

Wow! Fantastic!

Is it OK if I link to that page from my Esprit Project site?

http://www.artandautomotiveclassic.com/Lotus.htm

Thanks!

[Evil_Dr_Fish]

Very good - a couple of minor things...

Turbo - Sytem *wear* (sorry to be pedantic about spelling but ware makes it sound like a software /ecu thing!)

Change to Forged Pistons = With the HC engined cars NOT 1986!

The proper way is to gently lower the bonnet onto the latches and then return to the driver's foot well and push the latch forward and then back to it's original position. You'll hear the bonnet fall into place and latch.

On cars that don't have a key-locked boot, the tailgate "boot" latch is a black handle located...

When I occasionally have difficulty getting mine into reverse I very *very* slowly let my foot off the clutch while applying a gentle pushing action (no more than if it were to go in naturally) to the gear lever and it usually pops right in when the clutch reaches a certain point. It should not crunch either (means you let your foot up too fast!)

Steering wheel play can also be caused by play between two(?) steering shafts and can be rectified with a bolt through the two of them! (best done by someone who knows what they're doing!)

[tbeggan]

Wow! Fantastic!

Is it OK if I link to that page from my Esprit Project site?

http://www.artandautomotiveclassic.com/Lotus.htm

Thanks!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

By all means! Copy or Link to it, that's what it's for. I'll keep collecting info (and corrections) as they come in to this site and periodically make updates to the document.

Thanks everyone for the corrections. My spelling has never been perfect and since my experience with G-cars is entirely limited to left-hand drive US Federal HCi models, I'm bound to make some inferences that don't carry to other models. Please point these out when you see them and I'll get them in there.

[tbeggan]

add one thing (that was actually buried in that thread) that apparently a lot of people who have owned the cars for years don't know...

You don't actually need to do that! Just flick the switch on then off again they'll go off, I swear

slade

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well, after more than three years of ownership, I finally cracked the owner's manual to see how the wipers are supposed to operate............... and you're right. My problem was with the Delay Mode. I never knew how to get them into Delay Mode, but evidently I'd accidentally bounce them into Delay every so often, and not be able to get them off. I'll update the list with this new info. Thanks for the help.

[Paul C]

Re: Interior

Might be worth pointing out where the choke is.

When i looked at my first Esprit, i thought that

the padded section between the seats must be

a lid to a glovebox (which it kind of is on the SE).

Anyhow, while the vendor was talking to me he

started looking at me a bit oddly, as i was pulling

the choke up and down expecting the 'lid' of this

non exsistant compartment to pop up...

[Mark Blanchard]

Interesting reading .

Wow! Fantastic!

Is it OK if I link to that page from my Esprit Project site?

http://www.artandautomotiveclassic.com/Lotus.htm

Thanks!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Micheal,

That avatar's from my site. I took that pic a few years ago at Castle Combe Circuit, UK. Glad the site's being used .

That's an interesting S1 project you're doing, looks similar to what they're talking about here:S1 V8 Project

[WayneB]

Nice job , Tom

Besides the other errors pointed out in the other posts, the Esprit uses R12 not R14 refrigerant in its A/C system (unless converted to R134A)

Mine always needs the choke to start and run effectively when cold , even in summer.

The choke is on the dash panel on Federal Esprits(to the lower right of the steering wheel)

Should be a great help to anyone contemplating buying a Turbo Esprit

Edited April 23, 2006 by WayneB

[tbeggan]

Thanks Paul, I'm sure the choke location would be a good thing to post, but I have no idea where it is . (ooops, Wayne just posted that info)

Wayne, of course you're right, it's R12. I don't even know what R14 is. That's what we call a mental misfire. I'll get that updated quickly.

Edited April 23, 2006 by tbeggan

[gghc87]

Great list but just a small point

My G Car is the late HC version which has RAKE SEATS.

Edited April 26, 2006 by gghc87

[tbeggan]

Great list but just a small point

My G Car is the late HC version which has RAKE SEATS.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Wow, I'm stunned. Does anyone else out there have a G-car with rake adjustable seats? I didn't think any G-car them. My 87 was nearing the end of production (March 87) and it's got non adjustable seats.

Do you know the production date of your car? Or maybe, do you know if someone installed later seats in your car? If they're from the factory, I'll make the update to the list, but it'd be nice to know when they actually became available.

And just out of curiosity, can any of you guys with 88 S-cars confirm if adjustable seats made it into your cars?

[gghc87]

Wow, I'm stunned.

Edited April 26, 2006 by gghc87

[Guest Troy Halliday]

Cliff is your interior the one with the extra stitchng in the seats I have a brochure of the HC and they look much nicer than mine was very tempted on the retrim to do them the same way, but I had already finnished all the door cards which match the seats.

[tbeggan]

No rake seats standard fit on UK spec. car on G Car HC versions ( from approx Oct 86) not sure about other countries. The seat style and finish was also different to the pre HC versions. My car 1st reg'd Feb 87 .

If you read this test report on LEW they refer to the adjustable seats

http://www.lotusespritworld.co.uk/ERoadtes...hc_autocar.html

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Very interesting........... I had no idea. But I wonder why these seats never made it to Federal cars. I'll update the Tip Sheet with new info. Thanks!

[gghc87]

Cliff is your interior the one with the extra stitchng in the seats I have a brochure of the HC and they look much nicer than mine was very tempted on the retrim to do them the same way, but I had already finnished all the door cards which match the seats.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi Troy

Will take some pictures at the weekend and post them

Cliff

ps any chance of scan pictures of the HC brochure ?

Edited April 27, 2006 by gghc87

[gghc87]

Interior Shots as promised.

and Rake Seats

Edited April 29, 2006 by gghc87

[slade]

wow, that's a crazy interior. First I seen of one like that.

Between your car and Troy's car I'm tempted to a white interior

slade

[tbeggan]

Interior Shots as promised.

Beautiful!!! I've never seen an interior like that in a G-car, the extra stitching and the headrests are big improvements to an already great interior. I don't think any like that ever made their way over here to the US. I've always loved the white leather, but I had to settle for "saddle" color which was my second favorite and fairly common over here. Thanks for the pictures.

The tip sheet has been updated as of a few minutes ago. THANKS for the input.

[Jussi]

That looks very nice Cliff, love that stitching

Here's my interior shot, red/white with red stitching:

[gghc87]

That looks very nice Cliff, love that stitching

Edited April 30, 2006 by gghc87

[Jussi]

Yes, that's a federal spec car. How's the dash different from UK-car ?

[gghc87]

Yes, that's a federal spec car. How's the dash different from UK-car ?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

On the passenger side of the car the fed spec car seems to have some form of extra padding along the dash ?

Edited May 1, 2006 by gghc87

[slade]

wait... cliff, does your car not have a glove box?

anyway... thought all the cars had the crash pad. You can also stick stuff on the dash now as well

is mine off as well (ignore the steering wheel)

Edited May 1, 2006 by slade

[Jussi]

That's new for me also, so federal cars have this "crash pad" and others don't

[gghc87]

wait... cliff, does your car not have a glove box?

anyway... thought all the cars had the crash pad. You can also stick stuff on the dash now as well

is mine off as well (ignore the steering wheel)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hiya

Yes the glove box can be seen on the left in this shot taken from the passengers side.

The lid is held down by a push catch and there is no lock. Sometimes the lit pops up if you go over a bumpy road.

Question... ........ is there a drivers glove box between the steering wheel and the drivers door on the fed spec car.