Graphics for sides of my Esprit

[Esprit Aviation]

This is the color scheme on my 85 turbo.

Anyone have suggestions for side graphics? Currently there is nothing @ all on the side of my car, and it looks rather plain.

Tried to upload a side view of both cars but mine was largely hidden anyway.

Maybe I'll try to post a side pic, as the car is lowered now.

Thanks for your input in advance.

Cheers, Lee

[Jussi]

Just plain (original) Turbo Esprit text on the sides with yellow B)

[esprit350]

I agree!

[Esprit Aviation]

Thanks guys!

That was my first thought, but wasn't sure if there should be a matching color pinstripe where the rubber edge was removed and the glass part line ground smooth.

I wanted to post a pic since the garage was down, but I'm having trouble w/ the file upload. Will try later.

Lee

[Sy V]

What immaculate taste you have, Sir!

[Esprit Aviation]

Thanks, Sy!

Despite all the history in those colors, you rarely see a Lotus w/ them. Especially the Esprits.

I like the fact that you don't see yourself 'coming and going'!

Cheers,Lee

[paul&paula]

Well, being a huge Jim Clark fan.....

my Esprit is in LRG and has the traditional yellow stripe and "team Lotus" down the side...... in true type 25 style

let me see if I can find a pic for you.....

might be a bit small tho !

[Esprit Aviation]

Well hello Paul & Paula,

It is a pleasure. Your car looks perfect w/ the stripes and Team Lotus logo. I have thought about that, and I must say I am torn between the two suggestions!

I wondered how it would look in about the same size as that on the side of '11'. I wish someone on the Forum could photoshop both methods, on a side view of my Esprit, then take a poll. Unfortunately, I don't have any serious experience w/ photoshop. If you know of anyone please let me know.

Thank you for your input!

Cheers, Lee

[markt]

Pick me! Pick me!

Post a large side profile pic of your car and I'll give you both options to look at.

- Mark

[Esprit Aviation]

Mark,

Happy Birthday!

Thanks! I will certainly take you up on your offer, and try to get a better side view. Although the car may not be clean enough from winter driving, and too cold to wash, I'll be @ my shop soon to evaluate its condition.

I have a basic side view in my 'garage', but still cannot access it, and I'm having trouble downloading from Photobucket and Corel photo album.

I'll see what I can do. If you have suggestions on transferring files from the other sites, let me know.

Thanks again for your help.

Cheers, Lee

[Evil_Dr_Fish]

NONE! Nothing, nichts, nada, niente!

I personally think the Esprit decals are dated (not in the good sense) and never looked that good at the time!

I also lost the ridiculous Dalek Ears that passed for side repeaters

...and of course my infamous door handle aversion (which everyone is still waiting to go wrong! :beer: )

[M Blur]

I think side decals on a G car are completely period and shouldn't be judged by today's fashions.. in the day 'turbo' was something to be shouted about, it was new, brash and exciting. decals followed that theme.. viva la decals I say!! I loved the look of the first Essex and Turbo cars,

I actualy have more problems with the decals on later cars , particuarly the 'Sport' cars tho didn't mind the optional GT3 graphics. The S300 was ok but I never liked the

[Esprit Aviation]

Hey Fishy,

I never noticed that you lacked the decals and doorhandles to boot!

I think it looks great! Although you still have the black side channel moulding to relieve the otherwise plain side view. On my car I had the rubber channel pulled off, the glass ground off flat w/ declivities filled. So there's absolutely nothing to break up the monotony. What can I say about the side repeaters, They sucked.

Why don't you tell us how you treated your 'shaved' doors? I'm curious to know what you did for latching etc. Also, do regale us w/ a full side view! I think it would really show the lack of doorhandles. Interesting!

Jon,

I'm such a fence sitter on this! I also agree w/ what you said about the period style. If I didn't have such a plain look w/ the beltline removed, I may be satisfied. I never liked the beltline though cause it makes the car look like a motorboat! Maybe this is where they got the idea that the Esprit should be in the water in the Bond movie!

Thanks for the input!

Cheers, Lee

Edited February 17, 2007 by Esprit Aviation

[Esprit Aviation]

So far these are the only pics I found, Mark, see what you can do w/ them if you get a chance, otherwise I'll get some better pics w/ the car lowered etc.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e399/esprit5/7d2f5130.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e399/esprit5/f4206607.jpg

Next two taken after a chilly Hoon. Car is lowered here:

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e399/esprit5/HPIM1068.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e399/esprit5/HPIM1066.jpg

Thanks, Lee

[arbell9]

I saw a green G-car with yellow strips down the side at Chris Neils today, was in a rush to get my car so only got two snaps with my mobile.

Funny how I remembered your post!

Alex

Edited March 13, 2007 by Alex --GT3--

[dodgy]

Alex that's a G reg 'S' car

blame it on the excitement of pick up your car

[arbell9]

Alex that's a G reg 'S' car

blame it on the excitement of pick up your car

Doh!! I was in a rush, but I should have also stood back and took a picture of thew whole car. Shows I am still a newbie! LOL.

[dodgy]

dam! where's that Dalek and the Dustbin picture when you need it

oh well can't find it so..........

everybody makes mistakes said the dalek climbing off the ......

see you soon

Dodgy

[esprit350]

think you will find green car is Phil's (none shall pass) do you not read the owners pages on LEW? (insert funny yellow dot)

[Evil_Dr_Fish]

I didn't think about having the black waistline removed until it was too late and the bodyshop didn't think to mention it!

I would have done it in a heartbeat. I would not have plonked decals or go faster stripes back on and kept it clean and tidy.

You don't see 355's or 348's (for example) with dirty great stickers on the sides and they don't look 'plain' 'bland' or 'uninspiring'!

I don't care how 'period' they are... they just plain don't look good! They didn't look good at the time - *especially* the bonnet ones which are unpleasantly asymetric (that bonnet flash I would describe as 'pleasantly' asymetric! - it's all about a pleasing aesthetic!)

The door handle job was a kit from Autoloc (they have a website and it comes under "Shaved Doors" or something like that) I got 2 solenoids, a computer, 2 keyfobs and all the necessary wiring, fuses and connectors.

Geoff at Esprit Engineering did the job. You disconnect the handle and associated push / pull rods. The solenoids have pre-stressed steel cable coming out of them as the actuator. They are bolted into the door (vertically) and the cable then attaches directly to the latch and the pull of it actuates the catch

(No solenoid in there yet but this is where it is)

AS YET (crosses fingers) I have had no problems at all. Karl has had one or two. I've got both doors done whereas Karl has only the driver's door. I have a button under the dash that pops the passenger door so I don't have to lean across or risk pressing the wrong one on the fob while it's in the ignition!!

Geoff also fitted a button concealed in the boot that drops the driver's side window. As we have keys to open our boots I can always get in there to 1) The battery and 2) To open the window (What are the chances of the remote system AND the window of packing in simultaneously?!)

I think I could probably live without the black line too - but I've never photoshopped it.

When I saw this I seriously debated whether to put a nosebadge back on at all! All that gorgeous uncluttered paintwork!

I relented:

...but even then, it had to be something a bit special!

I think I called Troy about a dozen times before finally sikaflexing the damned thing on! Good job too, as my first intended location was out by about a half an inch!

[Evil_Dr_Fish]

Oh yeah...

I've also done the sidelights mod - had to get two from one of the parts fairs, prise them apart (Mine weren't the easy 'hacksaw' ones...) and then use clear silicon sealant to connect them and bridge the small gap that's left. I also put a tiny amount around the outside to create a better seal. (To do that I used the spare plastic housings and smeared tham in vaseline. Then I bolted the clear lenses into place and did all the necessary silicon sealing. When I unscrewed them a day or two later, the vaseline meant they came apart no problem

(Oh... I also got a custom Car Security solution! )

[Esprit Aviation]

Fishy,

Looks great! Thanks for posting those pics. I REALLY like the shaved look.

If it weren't for my rear valence nearly falling off (the paint shop didn't put locks on the bolts), I would have taken more pics. I also resupported the rear bumper w/ a length of angle aluminium so it eliminated sagging from bolt-only fixings.

Obviously I have some things to take care of first, but I will revisit the graphics vs clean look ASAP.

Cheers, Lee

[markt]

Hi Lee

Wondered where this post went... Just downloaded your pics now, and I'll drop in a turbo esprit decal on the side. Since I'm doing sod all today, I might be able to post something this afternoon...

Cheers - Mark

[Esprit Aviation]

Great, Thanks Mark! I wasn't sure if those pics would be useful @ all. I look forward to seeing what you come up with. I'll e-mail w/ any info on the business end. Been EXTREMELY busy!

Thanks again, Lee

PS was that you vying for the clutch shaft on ebay?

[wiseraven]

I saw a green G-car with yellow strips down the side at Chris Neils today, was in a rush to get my car so only got two snaps with my mobile.

Funny how I remembered your post!

Alex

That's my sick (and surprisingly dirty) baby! I'm missing her. :crybaby:

Really Alex, did you have to shoot one of only two tiny bits of paint damage? (The other being a small stone chip)

Phil