35 Years and counting. Life with an S1

[GordonMasson 126 2 Vehicles]

Unfortunately I couldn’t make it to the Lotus 70th Anniversary gathering at Hethel today but as it turns out I have an anniversary of my own that falls on the same day.

I had always promised myself that one day I would own a Lotus after seeing a Europa pass my house.
On the 29th September 1983, 35 years ago today, I became the very proud owner of 0100G.
It’s been a rollercoaster ride in more ways than one but I love the car just as much today as when I drove it home for the first time.

There couldn’t be many of us who have owned an Esprit for 30+ years …. Perhaps Lotus should set up an Esprit Veterans Club for loyalty to the brand ? 

A massive thanks to everyone at Lotus for building such an incredible car.

 

Pictures:

1976 Black and white press photographs taken at Louth Golf Club and back on the same location for the Esprit 40th Anniversary in 2016.

Group photo: Great to gather everyone together for this picture! From left to right.....
Me, Carlene, Angela Bradbury who’s father owned Highcliff Motors who sold the car to its first private owner, Barry Collen.

Back where it all began. Outside the original front door of the Lotus Factory at Hethel.

..... and a very proud young Lotus owner.

[cbclotus 494]

Hi Gordon .Great  story .Fantastic you have owned the car for 35 years .Lots of memories together .Mike

[ChrisJ 1,032 2 Vehicles]

Congratulations Gordon.

6 hours ago, GordonMasson said:

It’s been a rollercoaster ride in more ways than one but I love the car just as much today as when I drove it home for the first time

I think that is true for most of us

6 hours ago, GordonMasson said:

There couldn’t be many of us who have owned an Esprit for 30+ years …. Perhaps Lotus should set up an Esprit Veterans Club for loyalty to the brand ? 

I'm in - 31 years last June for me

I can only see 2 x B&W photos in your post.  The rest appear as links to nowhere (Firefox) or NSL signs (IE)

 

[GordonMasson 126 2 Vehicles]

4 hours ago, ChrisJ said:

I can only see 2 x B&W photos in your post.  The rest appear as links to nowhere (Firefox) or NSL signs (IE).................. not sure why? Try again

 

 

[Jeanvm 82 1 Vehicles]

Congratulations, and proud you are I can very well understand. Nice pictures. Those mirrors are the same age?

[GordonMasson 126 2 Vehicles]

51 minutes ago, Jeanvm said:

Those mirrors are the same age?

About a month after I got the car some lout kicked the mirror off. Those mirrors were standard after market parts in 1983...... and because they are on stalks you can actually see what you have just overtaken on BOTH sides. Still after an original S1 mirror though.

 

 

 

[jep 133]

Gordon. I love this story regarding your 35 years of ownership. Congratulations. My first Lotus was a S1 Esprit in 1992. That kick-started an affiliation and admiration for Lotus that continues to this day. S1 has long gone, to Japan for my sins where it was restored and sold to a local rock n' roll star. I bought that car from an advert in Loot for £5K. 3 years of learning and many thrills. And the odd spill. 

[jep 133]

and here is my first Lotus, circa 1992. Complete with '007' number plate (original to the car). 

[Paul Coleman 345]

On 10/01/2019 at 16:06, jep said:

and here is my first Lotus, circa 1992. Complete with '007' number plate (original to the car). 

 

And what happened to it? DVLA says untaxed since 1994.

[jep 133]

12 minutes ago, Paul Coleman said:

And what happened to it? DVLA says untaxed since 1994.

It went to Japan; I thought in about 1995 but maybe 1994. A famous (in Japan) rock'n'roll star bought it, had it restored with similar but not correct brown interior. I'm afraid I sold a few S1 Esprit to Japan in the '90's...………...you would struggle to find a buyer in the UK at £5K for a good running car with MOT. I even had some chassis replacements done with Lotus Cars supplied chassis. From memory, including new chassis and paying to have the work done in North London by a specialist, it cost about £2K plus VAT. 

[Paul Coleman 345]

8 hours ago, jep said:

It went to Japan; I thought in about 1995 but maybe 1994. A famous (in Japan) rock'n'roll star bought it, had it restored with similar but not correct brown interior. I'm afraid I sold a few S1 Esprit to Japan in the '90's...………...you would struggle to find a buyer in the UK at £5K for a good running car with MOT. I even had some chassis replacements done with Lotus Cars supplied chassis. From memory, including new chassis and paying to have the work done in North London by a specialist, it cost about £2K plus VAT. 

Well at least it lived to fight another day. Must be a very rare car in Japan these days!