rebuilding a broken esprit.. input needed

rebuilding a broken esprit.. input needed

Author
Discussion

greezmunky

Original Poster:

129 posts

263 months

Monday 30th December 2002
quotequote all
Hello.. any day now a 1995 s4 will be arriving at my door.. this particular car met head first with the tail end of an expedition and has the following damage:

- Both fenders need replacing
- Bumper MAY be repairable
- Bumper lip is gone
- Bonnet need some glass work
- Windshield is cracked
- Big one: Both airbags are blown

I did some research and found SJ sportscars in the UK.. looks like I can get all of the parts from them MUCH cheaper than what I am finding here. Example: front body section is $1100 USD from them and $4000 from a lotus dealer. I alse read that they fab their own body parts so what i want to know is are their parts a good fit and how is the quality? Also I understand the drivers airbag is from a firebird so i dont think that will be too hard to source but how about the passenger bag?

Thanks in advance for any tips.. I will be performing all labor except final prep and paint on my own and look forward to bring this beauty back from the grave!

cnh1990

3,035 posts

270 months

Monday 30th December 2002
quotequote all
How is your GRP repair experience?
I know several people doing the same thing as you.
Two of them lives near me and one has the same model year as you do with a lot of experience with the type, parts, and work needed to do what needs to be done to a 95 S4. If you email me I can put in touch with them as they do not currently us this forum and would assume the conversation will be long and intense. As soon as you get the car do a static measure of the frame check points to verify the condition of the car. If you got it from a salavge yard some of those B*stards lie a lot about the actual damage to the car.
Calvin

paddy the farmer

25 posts

276 months

Monday 30th December 2002
quotequote all
just a quick note to say, i deal with steve from SJ and they are very good. If there is a problem with the part, exchange tends not to be a problem. they are a mind full of information as well. be of luck

rob.ellis

2,861 posts

285 months

Monday 30th December 2002
quotequote all
Greezmonkey:

Two useful contacts for you:

www.theriens.com/lotus/

and

www.usinternet.com/users/kyoung/lotus/

These guys are experts in bringing deal lotus back to life.

Good luck with your project.
cheers
Rob
98 V8-GT (UK)