Popular Post GordonMasson 128 Posted September 30, 2018 Popular Post Report Share Posted September 30, 2018 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. 2 5 Quote I've had a perfectly wonderful evening, but this wasn't it. Groucho Marx http://www.thelotusforums.com/latest-news/our-news/lotus-esprit-first-and-last/ http://www.corgi.co.uk/lotus-esprit-s1-chassis-0100g-the-first-production-esprit-signal-red.html Link to post Share on other sites
cbclotus 521 Posted September 30, 2018 Report Share Posted September 30, 2018 Hi Gordon .Great story .Fantastic you have owned the car for 35 years .Lots of memories together .Mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ChrisJ 1,492 Posted September 30, 2018 Report Share Posted September 30, 2018 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) 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Popular Post GordonMasson 128 Posted September 30, 2018 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted September 30, 2018 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 8 1 Quote I've had a perfectly wonderful evening, but this wasn't it. Groucho Marx http://www.thelotusforums.com/latest-news/our-news/lotus-esprit-first-and-last/ http://www.corgi.co.uk/lotus-esprit-s1-chassis-0100g-the-first-production-esprit-signal-red.html Link to post Share on other sites
Jeanvm 105 Posted September 30, 2018 Report Share Posted September 30, 2018 Congratulations, and proud you are I can very well understand. Nice pictures. Those mirrors are the same age? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
GordonMasson 128 Posted September 30, 2018 Author Report Share Posted September 30, 2018 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. Quote I've had a perfectly wonderful evening, but this wasn't it. Groucho Marx http://www.thelotusforums.com/latest-news/our-news/lotus-esprit-first-and-last/ http://www.corgi.co.uk/lotus-esprit-s1-chassis-0100g-the-first-production-esprit-signal-red.html Link to post Share on other sites
Gold FFM jep 970 Posted December 31, 2018 Gold FFM Report Share Posted December 31, 2018 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. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Gold FFM Popular Post jep 970 Posted January 10, 2019 Gold FFM Popular Post Report Share Posted January 10, 2019 and here is my first Lotus, circa 1992. Complete with '007' number plate (original to the car). 4 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paul Coleman 519 Posted January 18, 2019 Report Share Posted January 18, 2019 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. Quote Lotus Esprit [meaning] a 1:1 scale Airfix kit with a propensity to catch fire Link to post Share on other sites
Gold FFM jep 970 Posted January 18, 2019 Gold FFM Report Share Posted January 18, 2019 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. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Paul Coleman 519 Posted January 18, 2019 Report Share Posted January 18, 2019 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! Quote Lotus Esprit [meaning] a 1:1 scale Airfix kit with a propensity to catch fire Link to post Share on other sites
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