Esprit has been away from home for almost 9 months, the ignition system has failed, replacing the amplifier didn't work at higher revs, finally had to replace the ancient ignition system by a slightly more modern type. Then the engine oil pump failed, turned out to be just the oil sensor had died, but it gave the mechanic a heart attack, as he thought he might have toasted the engine.

One of the cylinder was having some issues, turned out that the Delotto carb had a seize part and one of the cylinder didn't get sufficient fuel, luckily nothing has melted!

Change all the fan belts and now the Lotus twin-cam runs like a dream! Well worth the waiting! On the way home, I had the biggest smile for a very long time!

I *love* Esprits and one day I'll have a V8 GT as a weekend toy.

Yours looks lovely.

Ooh - is that a Celica Carlos Sainz?

I wish! Celica Carlos Sainz ST185 is ultra rare, this is the younger brother ST205 WRC.

Ok. Friend of mine had a CS, sold it to a company that converted it to N Group spec and is renting it out. I saw that little extra air intake that the CS also has.

Actually I have no idea what this little air duct is supposed to do! This celica is a real 90s mean machine! Too bad that TTE were caught cheating in the WRC and ST205 was withdrawn from competition, so ST185 is more valuable than ST205!

Looks great, I've always had a thing for the Esprit.

No disrespect to Lotus Engineering, the V8 was developed during a very difficult time of Lotus, the company was in financial distress, the V8 just wasn't properly developed before it was rushed to the market. I have heard of some horror stories regarding the early batch of V8s from some long term Lotus owners! A 4 cylinder Esprit is easier to live with and kinder to the wallet!

rikki16vt I bet you feel like James Bond in your white Lotus.

If I owned a white Lotus, everyday I'd wear a tuxedo, put on the James Bond theme tune and randomly drive around.

totally love these cars. Still on my 'must own oneday list'

walking to my car the other evening and one the same as this was parked near it

Blue Esprit WOW!

Had to stop and take a good look at it. The windscreen is all right angles

The air conditioning is totally useless in the Esprit, wearing a tux in the Asian weather is simply not an option!

But I like the idea of randomly driving around!

Just like my old girl adder.....




As per above the early V8's were troublesome. The car was never originally intended to have that engine. I've spoken the Brian Angus at the factory and he reckons the S4S was the ultimate Esprit for power/comfort and reliablilty. I prefer the earlier Giugiaro cars. The V8GT onwards should be OK though and the final cars are a relative bargain these days given the performance....

That's a gorgeous car nello What was it like to drive?

still got it mate - though nearly forgotten myself as its been off the road for a few years. I've had it for 17 years now. Part of the family - Junior Nello No.1 reckons it his now anyway. Used to go to all the Club Lotus events/track days etc. They hold an annual event at Castle Coombe every May - the drive down the Fosse from the Midlands was nearly as much fun as on the track.
By todays standards the performance is probably not that special but with it being so light it still goes well.
As mentioned I like the earlier Giugiaro cars - the styling is still amazing and its turns so many heads still today.
The handling is the key with any Lotus though I'm fairly sympathetic with it these days as its still on the factory issue Goodyear NCT's which are unavailable now.
The engine is fantastic - for a 4-pot it never sounds stressed right up to the rev limiter and gives terrific bangs (and flames!) on the overrun.
For the first ten years with me it was polished weeky (I kid you not!) and still looks superb even now though stored under a cover. Just needs a full service and brake overhaul to return to duty - maybe in 2012.....
Theres always a few Esprits around but very few that are sorted and well cared for - buy a good one and keep it - prices are on the up - there a restored S1 on Pistonheads going for £30k!

Awesome - one of my all time favourites.

Would love to see it close up Nello my daughter wants to visit Warwick Uni Early next year. Maybe I could come and say hello

This gorgeous old girl will be no match for the modern day pocket rocket such as the Civic Type R in the twisty bits and muscle Cayman in virtually all circumstances, technology has moved on so much in the last 20 yrs. She still handles very well considering her age and put a long lasting smile on my face!

She is a childhood dream that finally comes true.

No problem adder I'm only about 3 miles from Warwick Uni! PM anytime

Lovely car,another one in my fantasy garage.

Oh sh!te! I knew good things will not last for ever!

Bloody water pump has disintegrated, massive coolant fuild lost! Luckingly notifice it before the temperature shoot through the roof at the traffic light, and switch off immediately!

Garage said it would be engine out job!

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