Lotusfab 2,099 Report post Posted April 12, 2015 Very original! A very sound investment. Your be driving in a few months, just keep going! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paul Coleman 364 Report post Posted April 12, 2015 (edited) Yes it was a very original car and even had the pod wing mirror!! If your car has a repro wing mirror on it, wherever you got it from, it originally came from my car. I've done more for road traffic accidents increasing than anybody else. We now have loads of S1 Esprits where the driver can't see a damn thing thanks to me. It's all a public service you know... It even has the original green tonneau cover which goes over the engine bay. I've never, ever seen another car with the original still in tact. Mind you it doesn't fit as it's about an inch short in all directions! Edited April 12, 2015 by Paul Coleman Quote Lotus Esprit [meaning] a 1:1 scale Airfix kit with a propensity to catch fire Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jonroberts 111 Report post Posted April 12, 2015 Looking fab - the original pictures are an inspiration! I recall a while ago you were debating whether to have left the car original and not restored it. "They are only original once.." you said. Well, I think looking back on the 'original' interior you'll enjoy driving the new one much more. I can just hear the onlookers as you pull into the pub : If kept original : "Nice car mate, shame about the crappy interior. Does it smell as bad as it looks ?" With Pauls restoration : "Nice Ferrari mate" You have a green tonneau cover, really? Never seen one that colour, sure its not black faded by the sun? I have the original black vinyl one for mine, one of the dot fasteners has pulled through but thats an easy repair. They are tight when they are cold Paul, in the searing heat of the engine bay they soften up and fit a treat. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paul Coleman 364 Report post Posted April 12, 2015 Yes the green interior doesn't last and had to be recovered, no choice really.The carpet had stuff growing in it Whether the body could have been saved with gel coat I don't know. It had a bit of damage and a few star cracks which were huge so probably not. Re tonneau cover - yes the very early cars had a green vinyl cover. I was going to wait for a nice warm sunny day and then try and fit it. Quote Lotus Esprit [meaning] a 1:1 scale Airfix kit with a propensity to catch fire Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jonroberts 111 Report post Posted April 12, 2015 At least it wasn't orange. Argh, what am I saying ... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lotusfab 2,099 Report post Posted April 12, 2015 The bonnet sticks up on the front left, just like mine I don't feel so bad about it now! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lotusfab 2,099 Report post Posted April 13, 2015 Paul, if you want some inspiration watch last nights episode of the Classic Car Show. The Bond S1 is reviewed by Jodie Kidd, it's the car to have! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paul Coleman 364 Report post Posted April 13, 2015 This is Jeff's early S1 that SJ restored a few years back. The tonneau cover is a repro but have a look at the colour... Quote Lotus Esprit [meaning] a 1:1 scale Airfix kit with a propensity to catch fire Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lotusfab 2,099 Report post Posted April 18, 2015 Where are the earth straps for the seats? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paul Coleman 364 Report post Posted April 18, 2015 Early S1s (like mine) didn't have seat belt warning switches so there was no need for earths. So I can't help with that question I'm afraid. Cheers, Paul. Quote Lotus Esprit [meaning] a 1:1 scale Airfix kit with a propensity to catch fire Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cbclotus 497 Report post Posted April 18, 2015 wow that's a real credit to you Paul .Looks fanantastic.Mike. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lotusfab 2,099 Report post Posted April 18, 2015 By earth, meant ground straps. Thought the seats had to be grounded to chasis to prevent charge build up and to protect against unlikely event of a lightning strike? I was intending to use thick metal ground straps. thought I had seen a diagram of the grounding straps, had a look but can't find it. Metal cars are already a Faraday Cage and so don't need grounding. I was intending to run the strap from the seat belt chasis bolt to the seat rail? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paul Coleman 364 Report post Posted April 18, 2015 I could well be wrong but as far as I am aware the earthing is just for the seat belt warning. I doubt having the seats connected to the negative terminal of the battery will do anything for lightning protection. As you say, a metal car is naturally a Faraday cage but I have no idea how a fibreglass car reacts to lightning - it's a good question... Paul. Quote Lotus Esprit [meaning] a 1:1 scale Airfix kit with a propensity to catch fire Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paul Coleman 364 Report post Posted April 21, 2015 (edited) I Googled the question of lightning hitting a fibreglass car and basically it's a very unsafe place to be during a thunderstorm!! As there is no metal shell it won't act like a Faraday cage and basically offers no protection. So best not drive if there's a chance of thunder and lightning Hmm... wonder if it would create 1.21GW of power hahaha Paul. Edited April 21, 2015 by Paul Coleman Quote Lotus Esprit [meaning] a 1:1 scale Airfix kit with a propensity to catch fire Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DaveyT 196 Report post Posted April 21, 2015 On the plus side, unless you're surrounded by GT40s, you'll be the lowest thing on the road, so you'll be perfectly safe :-)) 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lotusfab 2,099 Report post Posted June 12, 2015 Have u finished it yet? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paul Coleman 364 Report post Posted June 12, 2015 Hahaha no not yet... Quote Lotus Esprit [meaning] a 1:1 scale Airfix kit with a propensity to catch fire Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paul Coleman 364 Report post Posted June 14, 2015 I finally got the last bits of my carpet back from the trimmer who edged them for me and have now fitted the passenger side carpet... For the first time in 8 years I now have one of my home made seats in. My wife made the seat covers and the rest of the interior... It's now a nice place to be and smells a bit sweeter than it did when I got it. Some of the carpet was green with mould back then... It all takes twice as long as you expect and it took me most of the day to do this one side. But it's definitely getting there. It has cost me less than £600 to do the carpets. Not long now... Paul. 1 Quote Lotus Esprit [meaning] a 1:1 scale Airfix kit with a propensity to catch fire Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Advantage 856 Report post Posted June 14, 2015 That's looking so nice. I'd forgotten how "laid back" the S1 seats are. Almost a sun lounger on board. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Barrykearley 5,354 Report post Posted June 14, 2015 That is one talented Mrs paul Quote Only here once Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jtmco 31 Report post Posted June 14, 2015 Paul, the car looks amazing!!! You and Mrs. Paul deserve major kudos. Quote Jim McLeskey Richmond, VA USA Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Paul Coleman 364 Report post Posted June 14, 2015 She cursed those seats more than once!! Having seen how much work there is in the green/tartan interior it's easy to see why they soon changed it to be honest. There was probably as much time in the two seats as the rest of the interior put together. The green/tartan is a Marmite thing - you either love it or you hate it. I personally love it but I know it's not very hard wearing. Quote Lotus Esprit [meaning] a 1:1 scale Airfix kit with a propensity to catch fire Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Barrykearley 5,354 Report post Posted June 14, 2015 Nope - can't understand the hate it......... It's stunning - end of.........what's under the kilt?? Quote Only here once Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cbclotus 497 Report post Posted June 15, 2015 Looks fantastic .Not just the inside .But the whole car.......As above Good on your wife......Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lotusfab 2,099 Report post Posted June 15, 2015 Excellent, looking good and nearly finished. Wish my wife could do the trim. I'm now waiting for Steve Fulcher who's ended up doing it all, but he's very busy. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
