I want an S1!!!
Discussion
Just got the okay from wifey wife to add a Series 1 to the fleet, only problem is my cash needs to build up to acceptable levels.
Seen two for sale in Classic Car classifieds, white one at 19K looks good.
Anybody on here have one?
Is there a Buying Guide online somewhere?
Any thoughts on pricing?
Regards,
Robin.
Seen two for sale in Classic Car classifieds, white one at 19K looks good.
Anybody on here have one?
Is there a Buying Guide online somewhere?
Any thoughts on pricing?
Regards,
Robin.
Unless you are absolutely hell bent on a S1, then I really wouldn't bother.
If you actually want to drive the thing, then a S3 is a much better prospect, with the galvanised chassis, proper rear suspension, better finish and reliability.
If you seek out a normally aspirated S3, then you can avoid the crass skirts and spoilers of the Turbo Esprit and you get 90% of the original S1 styling without any of the S1 problems.
One of the best Esprits of all is the High Compression normally aspirated S3. It has the tougher and more powerful HC motor, an extra 10 or so bhp and most have that lovely big glass sunroof.
You don't need to worry about blown turbos, cracked manifolds, seized wastegates and turbo lag.
The only problem is that the NA HC S3 is a pretty rare thing, only built in 1987.
S3s are also far cheaper prospects than an S1. A couple of years ago I sold this 60,000 mile S3 for £2750. The paintwork was a bit tired and the interior needed some work, but it was mechanically sound and was basically a sound car. If it had been an S1 it would have fetched about seven grand.
In the end, I worked out that it would cost far too much to bring it up to scratch, so I bought my old Turbo back...
Sadly, the PistonHeads Esprit forum has become something of a backwater these days. Largely because of these chaps....
Lotus Esprit Forum
Buy yourself a HC S3, you know it makes sense.
If you actually want to drive the thing, then a S3 is a much better prospect, with the galvanised chassis, proper rear suspension, better finish and reliability.
If you seek out a normally aspirated S3, then you can avoid the crass skirts and spoilers of the Turbo Esprit and you get 90% of the original S1 styling without any of the S1 problems.
One of the best Esprits of all is the High Compression normally aspirated S3. It has the tougher and more powerful HC motor, an extra 10 or so bhp and most have that lovely big glass sunroof.
You don't need to worry about blown turbos, cracked manifolds, seized wastegates and turbo lag.
The only problem is that the NA HC S3 is a pretty rare thing, only built in 1987.
S3s are also far cheaper prospects than an S1. A couple of years ago I sold this 60,000 mile S3 for £2750. The paintwork was a bit tired and the interior needed some work, but it was mechanically sound and was basically a sound car. If it had been an S1 it would have fetched about seven grand.
In the end, I worked out that it would cost far too much to bring it up to scratch, so I bought my old Turbo back...
Sadly, the PistonHeads Esprit forum has become something of a backwater these days. Largely because of these chaps....
Lotus Esprit Forum
Buy yourself a HC S3, you know it makes sense.
I hear you on the S3 argument but I just love the purity of the S1. To be honest I won't be canning it around (I have an Ultima GTR for that) but just Sunday afternoon cruises.
As for the wife....yep, she calls the shots but the way I get around it is select something she hates such as a Lancer Evo or R32 Skyline GTR (Chavy in her eyes), go on about them for about two weeks, then say "hmmm, okay what about a Lotus instead?"
Response is usually "Well I'd prefer that to any of the other rubbish you've been looking at!"
Hey presto, wife authorisation!
(well, it worked on the Ultima anyhow)
As for the wife....yep, she calls the shots but the way I get around it is select something she hates such as a Lancer Evo or R32 Skyline GTR (Chavy in her eyes), go on about them for about two weeks, then say "hmmm, okay what about a Lotus instead?"
Response is usually "Well I'd prefer that to any of the other rubbish you've been looking at!"
Hey presto, wife authorisation!
(well, it worked on the Ultima anyhow)
Bear in mind S1 prices have gone a bit silly lately; that's not saying that a mint one is not worth something, but opportunistic poeple dragging perambulating old sheds out of.....well, sheds, suddenly think they are sitting on their pension. There is a world of difference between the best cars and average ones, but they all look superficially good thanks to the non rotting body. Make sure you are not the dork with too much cash who splurges 15k+ on a car that would have struggled to make 5 grand last year, and ends up paying a similar sum to put it right again.
Hi Robin,
I live in South Africa, and have owned an S1 since 1986, and was the start of my Esprit Mania. I now own six of Esprits of different years, and have made do in keeping them going, by buying up parts when they become available in this part of the world.
My S1 was featured in a magazine before my purchase, and had been restored immacutely, and remains that way.
I have just done up the engine of a very early turbo car with dry sump, and will have to start on another as soon as I get back home as I am in Madeira at present.
I have raced 2 seasons in 500Hp V8, and running a turbo Esprit on the limit is as close to that kind of fun as it gets. I once had some fun against a 4 wheel drive turbo Porsche, and Porsche owner could not believe, the Esprits handling.
Best wishes
I live in South Africa, and have owned an S1 since 1986, and was the start of my Esprit Mania. I now own six of Esprits of different years, and have made do in keeping them going, by buying up parts when they become available in this part of the world.
My S1 was featured in a magazine before my purchase, and had been restored immacutely, and remains that way.
I have just done up the engine of a very early turbo car with dry sump, and will have to start on another as soon as I get back home as I am in Madeira at present.
I have raced 2 seasons in 500Hp V8, and running a turbo Esprit on the limit is as close to that kind of fun as it gets. I once had some fun against a 4 wheel drive turbo Porsche, and Porsche owner could not believe, the Esprits handling.
Best wishes
Espritment said:
Hi Robin,
I live in South Africa, and have owned an S1 since 1986, and was the start of my Esprit Mania. I now own six of Esprits of different years, and have made do in keeping them going, by buying up parts when they become available in this part of the world.
My S1 was featured in a magazine before my purchase, and had been restored immacutely, and remains that way.
I have just done up the engine of a very early turbo car with dry sump, and will have to start on another as soon as I get back home as I am in Madeira at present.
I have raced 2 seasons in 500Hp V8, and running a turbo Esprit on the limit is as close to that kind of fun as it gets. I once had some fun against a 4 wheel drive turbo Porsche, and Porsche owner could not believe, the Esprits handling.
Best wishes
You're living my dream....I live in South Africa, and have owned an S1 since 1986, and was the start of my Esprit Mania. I now own six of Esprits of different years, and have made do in keeping them going, by buying up parts when they become available in this part of the world.
My S1 was featured in a magazine before my purchase, and had been restored immacutely, and remains that way.
I have just done up the engine of a very early turbo car with dry sump, and will have to start on another as soon as I get back home as I am in Madeira at present.
I have raced 2 seasons in 500Hp V8, and running a turbo Esprit on the limit is as close to that kind of fun as it gets. I once had some fun against a 4 wheel drive turbo Porsche, and Porsche owner could not believe, the Esprits handling.
Best wishes
Hi Robin, Thanks for the comment. By the way the V8 mentioned was not an Esprit, but a racing car.
It takes quite some novel thinking to make do, in keeping things original on these great cars, some acquired in disrepair. It's peaceful when I enter the garage and leave the wife with the tele all to herself.
It takes quite some novel thinking to make do, in keeping things original on these great cars, some acquired in disrepair. It's peaceful when I enter the garage and leave the wife with the tele all to herself.
If you can find a good S1 then maintaining one is no different than any of the later cars. The secret is keeping up on the services. The rubber around the engine (hoses,belts,mounts) requires slightly more attention as the heat build up results in a shorter service life. Changing the oil and coolant earlier is also a good thing to do. The unfortunate thing with the S1 is that so many have been modified by the dreaded previous owner but original ones are out there. Certainly the build quality improved with the later cars. Being an S1 owner means you just have to be a little more in-tune with the eccentricities of the car. The rewards are well worth the efforts. Good luck with your search.
robm3 said:
Arggghh, rang straight away about the Silver one but sold straight away. Could have paid cash this afternoon!!
And would have made a nice winter project...
Ah well, the search continues.
Check and see if the Orange or Yellow one goes underwater...perhaps we can split the cost and share it between the UK and New Zealand.And would have made a nice winter project...
Ah well, the search continues.
Damn that is one of the best I've ever seen, condition wise. I can't imagine there are many, or any, around with just 5000 miles! From the s1 to the s2 they added the intake ducts behind the rear quarter window. Anyone know whether there were any specific problems to not having these in the s1?
Sadly (or actually positively) my priorities have changed. We're emmigrating to Australia in Jan so I'm cashing in loads of assets that cannot be transfered, sold my M5, selling my Ultima and various other bits and bobs.
I'll be looking into a classic once I get settled but it will most likely be an American Muscle car as they are very cheap there (69' R/T Charger for £18K etc...), European classics tend to be quite expensive but generally nicely preserved.
I'll be looking into a classic once I get settled but it will most likely be an American Muscle car as they are very cheap there (69' R/T Charger for £18K etc...), European classics tend to be quite expensive but generally nicely preserved.
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