Hi I am a new member and make lots of cool stuff
Discussion
Hi I am a proud female owner of a Black Esprit Turbo 1989. Its my pride and joy and love to drive it like its meant to be driven.
I work for a large polyester resin manufacturing company here in New Zealand and are based in the Laboratory doing QA/QC testing and develpoment of expoxies and playing with casting materials. Its the sort of matierals that the America's Cup boats are made out of, carbon, gelcoat, hi tech resins etc. I have a play job
. When I bought this car, I noticed all the radical things I can do to improve the looks and basically tidy it up with a little patience and good old kiwi know how.
First thing I noticed that one of the centre caps was missing off the OZ racing wheels, so I have pulled one other out and making a mould off it to make a replica shape. For those that are interested I will keep you posted if you wish.
Secondly the dash panel is a little rough, being female things have to be clean and perfect :-). It has that manky wooden film over the top that wasn't applied corrently leaving ripples and gaps, so I will take a mould off the original shape and make another using carbon fibre for that race like finish, will also reply to those who are interested. I have loads of other things to do with carbon on it, but think this will keep me going for the next month
See ya
Kylie
I work for a large polyester resin manufacturing company here in New Zealand and are based in the Laboratory doing QA/QC testing and develpoment of expoxies and playing with casting materials. Its the sort of matierals that the America's Cup boats are made out of, carbon, gelcoat, hi tech resins etc. I have a play job
. When I bought this car, I noticed all the radical things I can do to improve the looks and basically tidy it up with a little patience and good old kiwi know how. First thing I noticed that one of the centre caps was missing off the OZ racing wheels, so I have pulled one other out and making a mould off it to make a replica shape. For those that are interested I will keep you posted if you wish.
Secondly the dash panel is a little rough, being female things have to be clean and perfect :-). It has that manky wooden film over the top that wasn't applied corrently leaving ripples and gaps, so I will take a mould off the original shape and make another using carbon fibre for that race like finish, will also reply to those who are interested. I have loads of other things to do with carbon on it, but think this will keep me going for the next month
See ya
Kylie
I have been looking for something pretty rare for ages and nothing really inspired me to buy anything I had already seen. My partner wanted me to get a classic Fastback Mustang, but wasn't really that keen on the idea. This car came up for sale through one of our Auto Trader Magazines and I could'nt stop looking at it. I knew that they were very rare and only a handful exist in NZ and found out only 103 were manufactured of this type, so even better. Just fell in love with it instantly when I seen it in the flesh. I hadn't even driven it myself and basically handed over payment straight away after getting a ride in it. Can you believe that!! Yes the lines of the body are stunning and in black makes it look mysterious and sleek. There is a lot of car for the money.
The only minor problems I have with it, is backing, I can't see much out the back window as I have the late model wing on the back and changing lanes on the moterway is a bit scary. Seems to have a blind spot there. Plus being so low against other cars, people don't often see you and start drifting into your lane. Oh and the handbrake!! I was virtually kissing the steering wheel when I had to do a hill start funny eh.
But it makes my adrenaline rush everytime I look at the car and when beating the boy/girl racers at the lights. I think your not in my league buddy go home you will lose!
The only minor problems I have with it, is backing, I can't see much out the back window as I have the late model wing on the back and changing lanes on the moterway is a bit scary. Seems to have a blind spot there. Plus being so low against other cars, people don't often see you and start drifting into your lane. Oh and the handbrake!! I was virtually kissing the steering wheel when I had to do a hill start
funny eh. But it makes my adrenaline rush everytime I look at the car and when beating the boy/girl racers at the lights. I think your not in my league buddy go home you will lose!
Welcome Kylie. Nice web site as well. Love all of the stuff in your Gallery! I agree I am impressed with the web site. I am more impressed that you will work one your own car. I have a hard time convincing hobby type guys to grab a tool and work on their car. You will get used it driving the car, although unless you have driven this type of car before the 1st year of ownership is year most novice owners gets into to shunts. After that the accident rate seems to go down. There are many tricks to driving the car that I'm sure a lot of people will be more than happy to chime in on. Good luck with your car. By the way what model do you have? SE or turbo? Carb equiped or EFI? That way the correct listers can help you when a problem comes up. Many of us are very good at repair but also many are model specific.
Regards,
Calvin 90 SE
Regards,
Calvin 90 SE
Oh, I know your industry well. Years ago when living on Oahu in the Hawaiian islands, I was involved in the sailing. Never made it to the big races, just the Kenwood cup and aboard a practice challenger for the teams to tryout tactics against. It is a male dominateed industry you are in. Can I ask if you are a wrencher too? One who would attempt or comfortable working on the car other than cosmetic. The Esprit world is male dominated also with only a few other females even on the list. Never really asked how many females are here on the forum before, it really does not matter as the car and a skilled driver is what it is about. I'm not as good as Jim or Robert on carb equiped engines although I have books for your car, but I'm fair and comfortable working with the S body cars. Just post if you need anything. I'm sure as a group we can help you along if you experience any bumps in your Esprit ownership experience.
Regards,
Calvin
Regards,
Calvin
Kylie said: No its not the SE model has 2 twin carbs.
I took the car to work today for the for the first time to show everyone that I do have such a car. I work in an industry that is male dominated, everyone was just so amazed and rather jealous, so I kinda feel like a star :-)
Kylie
If you get a chance - post a picture in your profile so that we can all take a look. Would love to see it! Congratulations again!
ErnestM
Thanks Calvin, will definately need some help. To answer your query about me, I was taught by my parents at a young age that I can acheive what ever I want if I put my mind to it. So 10yrs playing sport to national level to helping Dad assemble V8 engine parts for spraying gave me the world of confidence. The other thing about me, I am the very feminine type as well. I have a huge wardrobe (like most females) of black mini skirts, long dresses high heels and really doll myself up when going out and about. At work well, I have to wear dress trousers being in the lab, mainly for protection of chemical soln spills, plus wear the white coat with a spatular and calculator in the pocket and geeky safety glasses :-) So I guess thats where it lapse a bit. There are a few other ladies like me doing the brainy stuff and of course office people. So do get a lot of respect from the guys.
So does this make me a rare breed?
Will take a decent pic of the car and post it no worries.
Kylie
So does this make me a rare breed?
Will take a decent pic of the car and post it no worries.
Kylie
Kylie said: ...So does this make me a rare breed?
Kylie
Certainly in the minority, however I believe you are in the right place. In addition to the Lotus area there is the "General Gassing" area that you may want to check out when you have the time. There are several female sport car owners that post on there from time to time (mostly driving TVR's) and you sound a lot like a few of them...
...personally since you drive an Esprit that puts you a notch above them in my book
ErnestM
'98 V8
>> Edited by ErnestM on Wednesday 27th November 04:38
Kylie said:
So does this make me a rare breed?
For a female maybe, but not for a true Lotus owner. I have noticed something about the true Lotus owners. You will find as I did, that while many of us come from different countries, professions, and backgrounds we are highly motivated people and many are at the top of the game no matter what we choose to play. I hate to lose at anything, be it work or play. To be the best and not give a half hearted effort. So we acquire a car that is unique, at or near the top of it's game to suit our personality. I for one would not hesitate to hire a fellow long time Lotus owner that works on their own car with proficiency. As time goes by and he has mastered the Lotus he will have learned many of the valuable lessons in life. Those being patience, tenacity, accuracy, deductive reasoning, and at times being responsible for the outcome of taking calculated risks (much different than taking a chance or a roll or the dice). Someone once asked me, do we buy a Lotus because we are this way or does the Lotus help us become this person? I tell them a little of both, The Esprit is like an amplifier that can bring out the best and worst in us depending on that particular time and circumstance. So am I surprised that you are a highly successful in both your professional and personal life. No, you are one of us. I would say many of us might not know exactly what you are thinking at a given time but we have the capability to understand your thought process. I will have to change my slang as I have a habit when chatting to people of referring to a true Lotus owners as a "car guy" or referring to others as "he's not a real car guy". If you are true enthusiast you are welcome in my garage or for a ride in my car anytime.
Regards,
Calvin 90 SE
PS Since you mentioned you wear mini skirts, I will be a gentleman and open the car door for you if the occasion should occur as would most of the guys on this forum
Thanks guys.
Just got back from a corporate fun run challange did 5km in 24mins , better than last time am happy and rather tired.
Now that I have introduced myself am hoping to share some knowledge in some fabrication work. And hoping you will enjoy some of the technical info behind it.
Kylie
Just got back from a corporate fun run challange did 5km in 24mins , better than last time am happy and rather tired.
Now that I have introduced myself am hoping to share some knowledge in some fabrication work. And hoping you will enjoy some of the technical info behind it.
Kylie
Kylie said: Thanks guys.
Just got back from a corporate fun run challange did 5km in 24mins , better than last time am happy and rather tired.
Now that I have introduced myself am hoping to share some knowledge in some fabrication work. And hoping you will enjoy some of the technical info behind it.
Kylie
Absolutely
- especially cf stuff would be great! There have been a few people from time to time that have fabricated some cf pieces for the Esprit (even Lotus has done so - I am in the process of acquiring/retrofitting all of the "Sport 350" pieces to my interior) so that should be a hot topic around here... ErnestM
'98 V8
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