Esprit Turbo project car - part3 - the further continuation

[Barrykearley 6,979]

Just showed that pic to the missus - she says it looks just like my esprit.

[pete 1,908]

Has she lost her white stick

[stephenwhyte 1,973]

51 minutes ago, Barrykearley said:

Just showed that pic to the missus - she says it looks just like my esprit.

Have you sprayed it without telling us!🤦🏻‍♂️

[Fridge 977]

@stephenwhyte I agree about the number plate, it's been discussed at length previously. The problem will be that most UK number plate manufacturers are producing to today's regulations. Saying that, the spacing looks odd, but I'm not an expert on the modern regs.

To get the FYEO look, which in itself look a bit rubbish and makeshift, you'd have to recreate the plate as a complete graphic like the Goodyear tyre stickers were. Then find someone who could make the plate. Lotus obviously did this in their workshop for the Bond car. Using a mix of fonts that they had at hand at the time.

I previously mentioned that the front plate is different to the rear, as it has a black border for some reason.

Interesting observation on the rear lights.

[stephenwhyte 1,973]

Yes I was part of that original discussion, but for me it’s the spacing alone that makes it look so odd. The letters on the left need moved to the left and the 3 on the right need moved to the right. It’s a small thing but for the sake of having a word, and £30 for new plates will be worth it. Like you say the letters will never likely be the same as the FYEO car, but Fabian’s choice on reflection works well enough👍 

Opinions.....like bum-holes we’ve all got one.....I just wish I could keep mine to myself sometimes - opinion, that is clearly.....not bum-holes!😳  

[Fridge 977]

Keep yer bum-hole to yourself thanks.

[Lotusfab 3,212]

6 hours ago, stephenwhyte said:

@Lotusfab
You know me Fabian......100 compliments but if something’s not right I can’t hold my tongue. The spacing in that number plate isn’t right. There should be more of a gap in the middle. I’d also say the lettering looks really wrong too, but the spacing is more annoying. Clearly if you’re not annoyed and happy as is then tell me to mind my own😉 Car is looking beautiful - a pleasure to look at from any angle and looks perfect now it has the racks fitted👌 Last thing🙄🤦🏻‍♂️ - you really should fit a new set of rear light clusters to the rear.....the right one always loses its colour first which I assume is from the exhaust - the difference when changed is incredible. I fitted a new set to my SD1 Vitesse when I had it, the lift it gives the rear is worth the effort......look how much brighter the actual ones were when the car was new. You can see the letter spacing here too. Sorry but perfection doesn’t come cheap......you know that more than anyone😉👏🏻👏🏻

https://rimmerbros.com/Item--i-DRC2091

https://rimmerbros.com/Item--i-DRC2092

Rimmers have a stock of the originals, but they won’t be there forever.....

 

I think this Bond picture may have been stretched laterally. I say that because the skis look to be spaced further apart and I know for a fact they are mm perfect. Could that be affecting the number plate spacing? I think I am happy with the plate now. Yo7 may have noticed the W I have already changed both plates to achieve a better look. I will live with the 8 and other slight discrepancies because of the legal aspects. I have ordered the new lenses, thanks for putting me on to them. Every little extra helps! Heres some pics from today, I now go everywhere with skis, in case of a sudden snow shower!

[Fridge 977]

@Lotusfabthere is a distinct mix of fonts used on the plates for the FYEO. They're hand made for the film. 

Regardless of any transformation of the whole image. Or more likely the camera lens used. It wouldn't comply with modern UK legals, and a plate maker wouldn't allow either I'd guess, as it doesn't follow historic guidelines. You'd have to do what some of us have been saying for weeks now. Reproduce the whole plate as an image and somehow get someone to make a show plate of that. As I said, the original plate is hardly great looking as it's such a mish-mash, and a more usual period plate looks better IMO. As you've done. Though the spacing looks a little crunched up, but a minor observation. The plate maker must know what they're doing.

[Lotusfab 3,212]

Ohhhh, I have now exceeded 500miles after the rebuild! About 25 with skis fitted!

[v8vantage 237]

Sorry to tell you Fab but the bindings still aren't right. Good to see you found the adjustment screw cover but you need to take all the covers off now. As you can see from the original Bond picture you posted they weren't fitted originally!

[Lotusfab 3,212]

I had noticed that after you pointed out one was missing. I will be leaving them on as it looks unfinished without them. Someone also noticed my car is missing the Styled by badges. I don’t think they were fitted on the copper fire car. Anyone agree?

[RichardJGC 381]

It odd because when the car pulls up you dont see it....but the closeup shot hints it might be there...albeit in a slightly different position to the norm.

Blu-ray clip would show it clearer.

 

[v8vantage 237]

Someone managed to redo the OPW678W number plate for 10858 Bond car but it's not quite right. https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/james-bond-for-your-eyes-only-lotus-esprit-41-c-ddr3f67mou

[Fridge 977]

As well as the font not been thin enough, the numbers are way off also.

As previously stated, the '8' is the give away. Smaller top than bottom.

The closest I've found is this, which is still incorrect.

Alan wouldn't be too happy...

[v8vantage 237]

1 hour ago, Lotusfab said:

I had noticed that after you pointed out one was missing. I will be leaving them on as it looks unfinished without them. Someone also noticed my car is missing the Styled by badges. I don’t think they were fitted on the copper fire car. Anyone agree?

You can see them in this picture of 10858 Fab. 

Seems OPW 678W is still registered in the UK, on a Blue S3 Esprit by the looks of it, 10975. OPW 678W SCC085912AHD10975 CC912801118856 Wonder if the owner might be interested in swapping with you if it's still the original plate.

[Lotusfab 3,212]

Well done Roo, I had checked all the other pictures I have and couldn’t see the badges, guess I’ll have to fit them!

If I could find the exact reg I don’t think they would swap without serious money!

1 hour ago, v8vantage said:

Someone managed to redo the OPW678W number plate for 10858 Bond car but it's not quite right. https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/james-bond-for-your-eyes-only-lotus-esprit-41-c-ddr3f67mou

thats not a very good attempt. I can see I am going to have to replicate this to keep everyone happy!

[Lotusfab 3,212]

Thanks for all the help chaps I will have made this a lot better after all these modifications!

[v8vantage 237]

8 minutes ago, Lotusfab said:

 

If I could find the exact reg I don’t think they would swap without serious money!

 

You never know Fab, sometimes people just want to help because they understand what you are trying to achieve. Not everyone is in it for the money. Who knew you would find the skis over here in my neighbourhood, yet there they are on your car in the UK now. They may have the original plates in storage and have fitted later ones. Even if you just get the originals for display that would be a start.

[Fridge 977]

You've also missed off the 'Designed by Giugiaro' wing badges that were on the film car.

Remember, you've used a restored Turbo in a museum as your basis. The actual car is in Dubai I believe.

I'd double check all the film stills as well as the film before you sign off the resto-mod.

[v8vantage 237]

42 minutes ago, Fridge said:

You've also missed off the 'Designed by Giugiaro' wing badges that were on the film car.

Pay no attention to this bloke Fab, them folk up in Yorkshire have trouble reading and writing from what I've seen!

[Lex Templar 348]

10858 had Giugiaro badges on both sides of the car in Cortina, you can see the left side of that car in the recent photo posted where it looks like it on jacks in front of the ice rink.

The car in Q-branch did not have them (10860).. but no ski racks on that car!

Lex.

 

 

[ChrisJ 1,489]

15 hours ago, Fridge said:

Though the spacing looks a little crunched up, but a minor observation. The plate maker must know what they're doing.

When specifying the reg on line you need to have a space between the W and the 6

[Fridge 977]

1 hour ago, ChrisJ said:

When specifying the reg on line you need to have a space between the W and the 6

That seems correct with this website. Most other (none show plate) manufacturers will automatically space the registration number as per the correct period.

[Lotusfab 3,212]

Ok we can all relax the styled by badges and rear light lenses are on the way!

[Sparky 2,863]

Thanks, but I was already totally chilled.