My Lotus Esprit
Discussion
I have been lurking and sporadically posting on here for some time. I do love to wile away the tedious hours at work reading all manner of threads posted on here. Its probably about time i posted a little about my own pride and joy.
My 1982 Lotus Esprit S3 Na
I purchased the car over a year and a half ago. I have always loved the Esprit, Its British and Lotus heritage and pedigree and the fantastic shape. Thats possibly what i love about it the most, the wedge shape an balance of the classic design. My car being an Na does not have the turbo slats, ducktail spoiler, front and rear spliter and sideskirts of the Turbo, I always did prefer the cleaner lines of the NA. It still suprises me how many people know what it is, you dont se many around anymore and most people seem to recognise it.
I saw this particular car and fell in love with it, the colour was spot on and i loved the contrast with the black bumpers (most of the later cars have bodycoloured bumpers). Whilst deciding weather or not to take the plunge and checking if i could afford it the car sold. So i spent months traveling the country looking at various esprits until i saw this particular car back on the market. The rest is history!
The car is a joy to drive. Pretty quick and the handling is sublime, although i do not pretend to be an expert on these things!
The NA is "supposed" to be slightly more reliable than the Turbo but in my view it all just depends on the individual car you buy. I bought it from a reputable dealer, insisted they changed the cambelts and did some other minor work and despite paying a premium for this and the associated peice of mind things still went wrong. The car has cost money to maintain as any other 26 year old car would. And whats more this is a Lotus! If i was able to work on the car myself then it would be peanuts to maintain but sadly i have neither the time nor the ability.
Despite sporadic problems the car has provided me with hours of joyful driving. I dont think i could sell it (although i would love an Esprit S4S!)
Regards,
My 1982 Lotus Esprit S3 Na
I purchased the car over a year and a half ago. I have always loved the Esprit, Its British and Lotus heritage and pedigree and the fantastic shape. Thats possibly what i love about it the most, the wedge shape an balance of the classic design. My car being an Na does not have the turbo slats, ducktail spoiler, front and rear spliter and sideskirts of the Turbo, I always did prefer the cleaner lines of the NA. It still suprises me how many people know what it is, you dont se many around anymore and most people seem to recognise it.
I saw this particular car and fell in love with it, the colour was spot on and i loved the contrast with the black bumpers (most of the later cars have bodycoloured bumpers). Whilst deciding weather or not to take the plunge and checking if i could afford it the car sold. So i spent months traveling the country looking at various esprits until i saw this particular car back on the market. The rest is history!
The car is a joy to drive. Pretty quick and the handling is sublime, although i do not pretend to be an expert on these things!
The NA is "supposed" to be slightly more reliable than the Turbo but in my view it all just depends on the individual car you buy. I bought it from a reputable dealer, insisted they changed the cambelts and did some other minor work and despite paying a premium for this and the associated peice of mind things still went wrong. The car has cost money to maintain as any other 26 year old car would. And whats more this is a Lotus! If i was able to work on the car myself then it would be peanuts to maintain but sadly i have neither the time nor the ability.
Despite sporadic problems the car has provided me with hours of joyful driving. I dont think i could sell it (although i would love an Esprit S4S!)
Regards,
Many Thanks!
I went out for a potter last night and took this too, just thought i would share! The car still doesnt look right on its new tyres in my mind. They dont have that sidewall bulge of the older tyres. Alas the relevant Goodyear NCT's are no longer made. the handling feels different now too.
Its amazing just how sensitive these chassis are. When the bloke came and fitted the new tyres he obliviously pumped them all up to 35psi. I took the fun way home and nearly killed myself! the back end was going ballistic! a tad of adjustment to the pressure and things are much better now, had me Bricking it though!
I went out for a potter last night and took this too, just thought i would share! The car still doesnt look right on its new tyres in my mind. They dont have that sidewall bulge of the older tyres. Alas the relevant Goodyear NCT's are no longer made. the handling feels different now too.
Its amazing just how sensitive these chassis are. When the bloke came and fitted the new tyres he obliviously pumped them all up to 35psi. I took the fun way home and nearly killed myself! the back end was going ballistic! a tad of adjustment to the pressure and things are much better now, had me Bricking it though!
The S1 emerged onto the streets(and our screens!) in 1975/6. My car is the S3 and was registered in late 1982 there are subtle differences externally; the intakes (ears) behind the quarter window, the wrap around bumpers and the BBS alloys. The interiors differ too.
some other pics i have floating around;
The rear;
(............. Quite proud of that photo!)
and a shabby interior shot; i love the blue leather everywhere, its jusxtaposed with some blue velour/sveltey stuff ( means your ass doesnt slide around when cornering)I love the runched red interiors that some of the Turbo's had. The seats are the most amzaingly comfortable seats i have ever sat in.. Much better than my BM's
some other pics i have floating around;
The rear;
(............. Quite proud of that photo!)
and a shabby interior shot; i love the blue leather everywhere, its jusxtaposed with some blue velour/sveltey stuff ( means your ass doesnt slide around when cornering)I love the runched red interiors that some of the Turbo's had. The seats are the most amzaingly comfortable seats i have ever sat in.. Much better than my BM's
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