The first UK wet sump Turbo.

[stephenwhyte]

More new Esprit news?.........like buses none for ages and then 2 come at once ?

To give a bit of background (and apologies if you've read this elsewhere as I've been banging on about this deal happening for months) I have been longing for a Calypso Red early Turbo Esprit with black interior since I was 12 and read the Fast Lane long term test in 1984. I bought a red Turbo back in 2008 (an '86 model with body coloured everything and magnolia interior but never loved it - lavished time and money on it......but never loved it) but it wasn't right for me so sold it. I then in 2012 learned about a 1 owner '82 red Turbo Esprit with only 18,000 miles being available to buy and started the negotiations.........fast forward 3.5 years and at long last the deal is done......

Oh and nearly forgot - it's only the very first Wet Sump Turbo produced for the UK market?.....as confirmed by Andy Graham at Lotus

This was the inspiration :

Here are a couple of photos of the new purchase :

As Sod's law would have it I buy my Esprit S4s and then the seller of the red Turbo only goes and tells me he's ready to let it go........oh well can't complain as I'm finally there. Should be up in Scotland in the next week or so. Has been off the road since 1993 with still some work to do to get it roadworthy and match fit but we will get there with the help of the boys at Craig Moncrieff Cars (ex-Murray Lotus).......can't wait!!!!???

Edited October 6, 2015 by stephenwhyte

[purso]

Love the turbo Stephen she looks spectacular!!!!!

I have a real itch for one of the earlier cars my self now, I have to stop myself from looking as its a slippery slope from there on!

[stephenwhyte]

Thanks Brooke - do what I did and invest in one of each......would look good parked up next to your V8?

[Barrykearley]

My god - that's a stunning esprit.

is that a Stevens I see hiding as well?? Bag my name on that one if its as nice..

[stephenwhyte]

Barry if you fancy the blue one........its in at the H&H auction at Duxford next week.

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C666853

[Loose Cannon]

That looks fantastic. Are you sure it wasn't a press car? CAR magazine tested a very similar one in the early 80s.

Must be a real dilemma which one to get into of a morning, I'd be interested to hear your opinion on which is best to drive and own.

Is that the sellers garage or yours?

[The Pits]

Magnificent Stephen, many congratulations. That's a very special example, what a find! Only 18k miles but looks even younger than that! To be honest I think it deserves its own thread.

In what? a matter of months you have acquired one of the most enviable Esprit collections on TLF!

Great work! Can't wait to see the car.

[stephenwhyte]

That looks fantastic. Are you sure it wasn't a press car? CAR magazine tested a very similar one in the early 80s.

Must be a real dilemma which one to get into of a morning, I'd be interested to hear your opinion on which is best to drive and own.

Is that the sellers garage or yours?

The garage in the photos is the sellers garage Mark. It is being delivered up to the repairers I'm using to bring it back to life, this weekend........rather excited this end!?

As for it being a press car, no the one I'm buying wasn't, however it's the only other Calypso Red early Turbo with black interior and black decals that I've seen apart from the Y plate example used by Fast Lane magazine pictured above & below :

Also in Sporting Cars magazine :

love this pic & would make a great poster.....

also in this Lotus book :

& finally here......

The one you mention used in the Car magazine article and cover had Gold decals - yeah you've probably guessed by now......I've got it bad? It's amazing what stuff you can collect when it takes over 3 years to complete the deal to buy?

Here is the Car magazine one :

The weekend can't come quick enough but there is some recommissioning to be done before it's ready to be back on the road for the first time in 22 years!?

Edited October 7, 2015 by stephenwhyte

[The Pits]

Moved from Stephen's S4s thread. This car definitely deserves it's own thread!

[stephenwhyte]

Moved from Stephen's S4s thread. This car definitely deserves it's own thread!

cheers Jonny?

[cbclotus]

Hi all .Great looking car Stephen .That is both of your Esprits.I use to own opw679w pictured  above.Good luck with your new purchase.Sorry to the other guys on the forum .As I Always harp on about my old car..Miss My lotus .Should have kept my old se turbo.Mike

[nello]

Superb indeed Stephen and yes more photos and a thread please! I'd be interested to hear though why you fell out with you '86? Usually its Stevens to Giugiaro owners that make the switch........

Edited October 7, 2015 by nello

[stephenwhyte]

Superb indeed Stephen and yes more photos and a thread please! I'd be interested to hear though why you fell out with you '86? Usually its Stevens to Giugiaro owners that make the switch........

Pretty simple really Neil, it was just the look of the old one I struggled with. I've always loved the Giugiaro shape but have never liked light interiors especially cream.......but when I was looking back then it was the best I could find and it was a beauty. I also realised that I still preferred the early look with the black bumpers and the bold decals and stripes. The hunt has taken forever but all good things..........?

This was my old one :

Edited October 7, 2015 by stephenwhyte

[lotusespritse]

Love the cream interior personally.

 

Are those plastic sheets you are using for car covers?  Do you leave them on for long periods?  If so, you should invest in real car covers that are designed to breath so you don't trap humidity and damage your cars.

[Bibs]

They're the same as what most paint shops use. The plastic is so light a fly passing will stir them so they do kinda breath, it's not a heavy cover.

[The Pits]

I have to say Stephen, D10 LOT looks far from shabby but it's nice to see someone understanding the importance of black bumpers and XXL Turbo graphics!

[Loose Cannon]

I have to say Stephen, D10 LOT looks far from shabby but it's nice to see someone understanding the importance of black bumpers and XXL Turbo graphics!

Yes brothers, for too long we have lived in the shadow of the inexplicable need to colour code everything, a fashion which should have died out in 1988.

Next we need to figure out the pointless quest for clear indicators!

[lotusespritse]

They're the same as what most paint shops use. The plastic is so light a fly passing will stir them so they do kinda breath, it's not a heavy cover.

Yes, exactly why you don't want to use those plastic covers on your car for long term storage.  The cars in the paint shop are protected for short periods of time by people that wouldn't want to pay for and deal with regular car covers for long term storage.

The plastic covers will trap moisture even if they are whisper thin.

But if you're ok with the damage to your car, it's all good.

[The Pits]

We get your point but it's clear from the pics that the car in question is beyond mint and I'm sure Stephen has plans for a nicer cover for it going forward.

It's an amazing find for many reasons and I know you're only trying to be helpful but I do think it's raining on his parade somewhat to go on about damage to his new pride and joy.

No-one's finding a nicer example of a Giugiaro Turbo for a long while yet so we may as well enjoy seeing this one return to the road.

[lotusespritse]

You guys are the ones raining on the parade for arguing with me when I am just trying to help.  Plastic is not a good long term car cover period.  He has 2 other cars with the same plastic so it would appear this is a long term trend.  

I am a bit of a car activist.  I hate to see cars in any state, especially treasures like this one, knowingly or unknowingly abused. 

[purso]

I want your old one!!!

[The Pits]

There's no argument here Philip, we all take your point but right now I'm more concerned with damage to this thread.

Any further repetitions about plastic covers will be deleted. 3 posts making the same point is plenty.

Can I suggest you start a seperate thread about plastic covers if you feel passionately about the subject?

To get back on track I think it's about time we saw some more pics of this scarlet beauty!

 

[Barrykearley]

You wait - the jammy sod will be telling us he had to pay 5 grand for it next. 

That sure is one hell of a find - yeah yes hell yes more pictures

[stephenwhyte]

First things first......sorry to disappoint but I certainly wasn't lucky enough to get it for £5k - I wish I had been?

As for the covers, these photos are taken at the current custodians residence (I'm not a big fan of these covers either) and when she arrives at mine she will be adorned with a nice new Lotus cover which I'm hoping Bibs will be able to help with. I'm thinking Black cover with red piping and a silver logo??

Sorry no more photos until I take delivery........but must say I really I appreciate all the enthusiasm - I've felt a tad alone with my thoughts of lust for one of these but seeing the comments from like minded addicts is great for my soul?

Ok - one more photo can't hurt can it?

 

 

Edited October 8, 2015 by stephenwhyte

[cbclotus]

Hi all.Hi Stephen great find .i have a suggestion ref the cover Leave it off the car is a thing of Beauty .only jesting .your first turbo looked fab .Must be a good feeling wanting that car .And then your chance comes along .Look foreward to reading more about your car....Mike