The birth of LotusRescue

[johnpwalsh 1,370]

8 hours ago, USAndretti42 said:

Great news, John. Tocus seems to do well restoring Lotus in the Netherlands. A note of caution, though, we had another member who, some time ago, did a great job of restoring his Esprit.  Buoyed by this, he set up a restoration business and several members entrusted their cars with him. However, he took in too many cars and couldn't cope so remember to pace yourself. Do that, enjoy it and, I'm sure, success will come.

Hi Trevor. I agree completely with what you say, Overstretch yourself ana the enjoyment them becomes a chore, so will have to be carefull on that one. Thanks for your encouragement.

Well, it look's like we have pulled one out of the cobweb's already. An Essex Blue dry sump has been unearthed and will be offered for sale once a price can be agreed. How much interest in that one then. Requires a refurb as the paint is looking a bit tired, but she has the magnolia interior which must be a good combination. More details later this week once I have possibly viewed the car as at the moment I have only seen one photograph of her. 

[Escape 847]

Great to hear you've found a new challenge John!

I wish you all the best and will keep a close eye on any cars you put up for sale. Still craving for an Elite/Eclat or early Excel...

Greetz,

Filip

[johnpwalsh 1,370]

Hi Filip, thanks for that. I have a couple of Elites and a few Eclats lined up, two I already know, the others I have to go and view if I can get some interest in them.

[johnpwalsh 1,370]

Well just completed a 54 hour run and 1500 miles. Delivered the 130 to her new owner and collected the S3 Turbo. So that's my own stuff all done.

Now to concentrate on LotusRescue cars and the first two which may well be on offer and are pure crackers, and I have viewed them both.

 

1/ Esprit dry sump in original Essex Blue paint with a magnolia interior, according the Lotus archives, this is the only one done in the color combination. Mechanically the car is perfect with a perfect chassis and full service history from day one. Having only had the one owner through her life. She needs a complete paint job as this has suffered from the usual minor paint chips and scuff's and the laquer is lifting, it sure doesnt look that nice. The interior also needs a refresh with the seats probably recovering, but a nice car none the less and should be at a price where once the restoration is done will still leave a healthy residual value.I have painted a pretty poor picture, but it's not that bad.

2/ An absolutely stunning and all original Lotus 7 S4. This car has been in long term storage, has only covered 11,000 genuine miles. The chassis was removed cleaned and powder coated. The engine looks like it just came out of the crate and is the original Kent engine. and obviously is basically new. She is painted in her original bright Red and looks the picture. She has the close ratio box with the original remote gear change.

Lotus 7 s4 1970 11000 miles from new been off road for approx 30 years 1600 crossflow with on sidedraught Weber. Chassis and all running gear restored and powder coated. Original front screen surround original hood and side screens

These cars both come from an impeccable source and one of which I was given a very rare chance to see through the collection. I can honestly say I was gobsmaked.

Both above cars hopefully will be listed shortly complete with photographs and will be able for viewing by appointment as they are part of a private collection and duplicates, hence the reason they are being sold off.

[Blackngolds3turbo 217]

Lotus' often seem to crop up in unexpected places!

if any plus 2 elans come up, even in a dire state, I would be interested. I have a large supply of parts I've collected plus most of a car but can't create a whole one with what I've got. Basically if it has ID, preferably with an engine and box I'll strongly consider. 

[chipp 146]

Good for you John, sounds like an enjoyable venture for yourself and secret partner.

One of the bug bares may be funding up front costs, suitable storage and overheads.

Maybe you'll be able to move some vehicles on to new owners direct from their current resting places or utilise members spare storage space. This will leave you more time and space to do your renovation projects.

Look forward to reading your future posts.

 

chipp

[silverfrost 1,390]

Sounds fantastic John,  I am sure the dry sump will go quickly no matter how bad a shape it is in.

Glad things are moving forward with Lotus Rescue especially given the short amount of time it has been going,  absolutely chuffed for you mate.  

[Barrykearley 7,153]

Good on you @johnpwalsh - up and at em chap ???

[stephenwhyte 2,005]

All sounds really good John - gladto see you're getting your teeth into something Lotus that you can enjoy! I think I remember the dry sump Turbo you mention - was it not advertised at UK Sportscars recently via eBay?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lotus-Esprit-Turbo-1981-Dry-Sump-One-owner-driver-from-new-/272435383318?hash=item3f6e6a0c16%3Ag%3AomMAAOSwA3dYGbY8&clk_rvr_id=1118374426138&rmvSB=true&clk_rvr_id=1146284975442&rmvSB=true&ul_ref=http%3A%2F%2Frover.ebay.com%2Frover%2F1%2F710-53481-19255-0%2F1%3Ftype%3D4%26campId%3D5337682015%26toolId%3D10001%26customId%3Dixaufssfou004p4m00003%26mpre%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.ebay.co.uk%252Fitm%252FLotus-Esprit-Turbo-1981-Dry-Sump-One-owner-driver-from-new-%252F272435383318%253Fhash%253Ditem3f6e6a0c16%253Ag%253AomMAAOSwA3dYGbY8%2526clk_rvr_id%253D1118374426138%2526rmvSB%253Dtrue%26srcrot%3D710-53481-19255-0%26rvr_id%3D1146284975442&ul_noapp=true

Any photos of the Turbo you picked up? 

[TAR 419]

This is going to be a very popular thread!

Good luck John. Keep me in mind for any Elites  

[silverfrost 1,390]

Tar 

Maybe John can bag those 2 elites that had found a resting place in that old pub car park, it was on the forums a while ago, one was black but can't for the life of me remember the colour of the other one !  

I think you are of the same thinking as me Tar, already envoled in an esprit project, love the elite but worried prices will rise to high for projects by the time you get round to it , 

[TAR 419]

You would be absolutely correct Dan. I would love an Elite that is or very nearly is roadworthy as I can't have 2 projects on the go at once. The Esprit is taking forever so I really couldn't have another car of the road for ages. 

I've always loved the look of the Elite and know I have to have one once in my life.

 

[silverfrost 1,390]

Top man Tar, great minds think alike 

[ChrisJ 1,505]

2 hours ago, silverfrost said:

Maybe John can bag those 2 elites that had found a resting place in that old pub car park, it was on the forums a while ago, one was black but can't for the life of me remember the colour of the other one !  

These two ?

Go up the thread a bit

[johnpwalsh 1,370]

Hi Stephen, Yes in fact this is the same car. The current owner purchased her with the intention's of doing a full restoration, he was then offered a second car which is in pristine condition ( I have seen his collection, and believe me when he says pristine, it means pristine ) and sub sequentially bought it so now this one is back up for sale.

Lotus Esprit Turbo 1981 Dry Sump.   One owner/driver from new!   Matching numbers having its rare original and very desirable dry-sump engine bearing it’s original number:  CC910 8105 18434. The engine has been rebuilt about 11,000 miles ago in 1995 by Main Lotus agents Lyte & Wakefield in Enfield, Middlesex.  The last MOT on the car expired in September 2006 and the car has not run since.  The selling dealer was Bell & Colvill Ltd. in West Horsley in Surrey and the Esprit still bears it original number plates.  There is a massive history file with the vehicle, showing there was another engine rebuild in 1988 at 117k miles.  The masses of invoices go back to 1981, some 35 years ago including the original Purchase Invoice.    A superb project, as the car is still in it’s original Essex Blue metallic colours with the red decals and contrasting full champagne leather interior.  The factory archives confirm that this is the only Essex Blue car produced in 1981 with the full champagne leather option.  A rare opportunity to buy a rare dry-sump Esprit Turbo from the very early days of this model and the most desirable colour.  Driven from new by the last owner and now ripe for restoration.  Comes with Certificate of Provenance and supporting letter from the Lotus Archives and V5 Registration Document.  

The mileage and history of this one owner car goes to show how highly regarded she was by her original owner. I understand there are in fact two names on the registration documents as it was first registered to the original owners company, being his company car, he then purchased it off the company and had the title changed to his home address. So two registered keeper's, but one owner. What it does not say in the original add is that she requires a full respray due to several stone chips on the front and other blemishes due to storage and lacquer peeling in places. The drivers seat requires attention on the bolster area, and the rest needs a good clean and maybe re coloring. There is a crack on the windscreen which will need to be replaced. As for the provenance of the car, it is what it say's on the original add and at the price she is going to be offered at will be a very sound investment with a fair bit of equity left in her once brought back a good standard.

Now, who want's it.

[johnpwalsh 1,370]

11 hours ago, chipp said:

Good for you John, sounds like an enjoyable venture for yourself and secret partner.

One of the bug bares may be funding up front costs, suitable storage and overheads.

Maybe you'll be able to move some vehicles on to new owners direct from their current resting places or utilise members spare storage space. This will leave you more time and space to do your renovation projects.

Look forward to reading your future posts.

 

chipp

Thank's for you comments Chipp.

Currently being offered some outdoor secure storage from another Lotus man so that will be handy. As for upfront funding, well we dont have an unlimited pot so we have a sound plan in place. The funds that are available will buy what we think will be easy to move on as either running, or simple restoration projects fairly quickly, and with yu guy's giving feedback and letting me know what you are looking for saves a huge effort on my part. The few car's moved this past two day's, I have viewed and given interested parties as fair and an honest description, warts and all as I can, these guy's have trusted my review and paid up front for the car's, I have then collected and delivered them and obviously made a little bit of them, so our finds have not been dug into as yet. But this is about to change as next week I will be looking at a couple of Elites and Eclats, two Elites in need of some restoration, 2 or 3 Eclats possible running restoration and a further two which may well be just a source of spares. I know one Eclat is a fairly early S1. At the moment some of these are looking like being in the sub 2k price range, with one or two of the better ones requiring lite work at hopefully just over the 3k mark.

Once Bib's gets back from his well earned rest we will be getting together and trying to build a website utilising the TLF server. WONT WE BIB's, so things will be making another step forward.

Here's a wee pick of the Turbo collected this week, reel nice car and will look stunning when done. She had a full engine rebuild by two ex engine dept retired Lotus employee's with everything replaced, liner's pistons the works about 10 years ago and while that was being done the body was removed fro the chassis and given a full respray in her original color. The car has been sat in storage for the past 10 years so will require all the fluids, belts etc done before trying to start her. She was, I am told last started August of this year. The brake hoses etc will need to be replaced along with the clutch master cylinder replaced before she can be run, bur a very nice restoration project.

The Elan +2 requires a fair bit of work but has the replacement spider chassis with uprated wishbones etc, She has the big valve newly rebuilt engine, just the head to fit which has been ported etc. The shell although looking very poor is not a bad as it look's. This is what you get after years of sitting in the sunshine. The engine has always been stored indoors in good condition and is as it was professional built by a well respected company up here in the NE of Scotland. The buyer of this one onew would rather have an Elan with the original Lotus chassis as all his car's are restored to as built so may well move this one on again. Let me know if any interest and I will pass it to the current owner. Again, this car has loads of documented history and old invoices to show the money that was previously spent on her, including the chassis and all the associated parts.

 

 

[johnpwalsh 1,370]

Previously listed by UK sports car's and purchased by a Lotus collector who then found a second dry sump which required no work, so this one is once again back for sale. I have copied the original add from Ebay photographs from the previous listing which gives a fair description but does not mention that it requires a windscreen.

Priced to sell to an enthusiast to bring her back to original beauty of a very rare, One owner, Essex Dry sump Esprit with a fantastic collection of receipts and history.

I have a price of about 5k for a quality respray, and I would guess you could restore the interior for under 3 k which would add to a very well priced rare car.

 

[Steve4012 191]

What are the prices of the Turbo and Dry Sump John?

[TAR 419]

5 hours ago, johnpwalsh said:

Essex Dry sump Esprit

I think this should say Essex blue dry sump Esprit. Just so as not to confuse anyone.

 

[johnpwalsh 1,370]

Hi tim, you are exactly right, just going to edit now. It's a strange one going by the history it was ordered as an S3 but with Essex spec, on the order sheet it stipulates," do not fit roof radio or side stripes, decal's due to additional cost" at customers request, but then a dry sump engine was requested so that it would be the same as the Essex. Strange, but then it's a Lotus.

To save confusion. The S3 is as it says an Lotus Esprit S3 DRY Sump in Essex Blue.

The build sheet from Lotus quotes.

Do not fit roof radio or Decals in Red due to additional cost as per customer requirements. But it also specified the Dry Sump engine. The serial No's for the engine state build date and confirms it's a dry sump and concurs with the factory information, all the numbers tie in including transaxle etc.

 I am no Essex specialist but I have been informed that it also has the correct Essex wheels. The interior was also specified as a one off and makes this car 1 off 1. There was a second car specked in the same year but it had cloth inserts in the seats, whereby this one is all in Champagne Leather with matching cloth roof lining.

I hope that saves any confusion.

 

John.

[silverfrost 1,390]

Think will definatly end up been a Essex replica for someone and a great starting place to in project wise for the lucky new owner , right wheels,right colour, right engine,  some new red leather,paint and stickers and your away  

[johnpwalsh 1,370]

It's a bloody good starting point for sure. and for a fair bit less than one with Silver decals and red leather. That's not to say the originals are anything less than stunning though.

[Barrykearley 7,153]

Looks like a cracker @johnpwalsh that's gotta be a great car for someone on here

[TBD 781]

I really wish you all the success! I was seriously contemplating an end to my life long quest for the newest and meanest vehicle after the GTE and deciding on a venture most would say is more appropriate to my age.

Had LotusRescue been around 4 weeks earlier I might have taken the wise decision and go for the dream car of my youth (Esprit,what else). Instead I went for newest and meanest Exige Ex460.

[johnpwalsh 1,370]

I will never complain of someone buying an Exige Ex460. I mean, whats to complain about. And of course there is always the fact that due to age and senility you may still have to get an older more dream inspiring car and come back to me to fulfill your dream. In the meantime, enjoy the Exige, and if you get bored with it you can always donate it to me. I wont reject it as being to young and free of charge.

 

John.