However, I was naive enough and just a little bit to stubborn to talk myself out of purchasing this Lotus.
This car was too exotic and too run down from a middle class worker with a limited budget so I decide that I should take this car for drive.
I was convinced that a car this run down would also drive accordingly.
I soon realised that this reasoning was a bad idea, as I could just not believe how the handling and power was worlds apart from the previously owned 5 sports cars that I owned.
The Espirt made everything else I have ever driven fell like I had been submerged in a bowl of jelly.
But when the turbo kicked in, a stupid boyish smirk appearing on my face from ear to ear.
Needless to say I could no longer talk myself out of purchasing this machine.
I was under the false pretence that because that car was selling cheap and because I was handy with tools that I could use the money saved to purchase this car to restore it.
I was soon to discover how wrong I was.
On the surface, the car was in dying need of a respray, reupholstering and rewiring.
As I was driving home, I was pondering on what I should start on first and soon decided that as the roof lining had fallen down and blocked my field of view that this might be a good starting point.
How this car passed the road worthy certification as supplied by the car dealer I will never know.
I was soon to also realise that the gearbox was in poor condition and hence the expensive and time consuming process of rebuilding this gearbox began.
But as fortune might have it, removing the gearbox also identified serious problems with the diff bearing and clutch.
If these parts not been replaced in a timely manner, then it would have led to more expensive repairs as failure of these components was imminent.
Turns out the gearbox deterioration was caused by a selector cable that had too much play, which made finding the correct gear difficult.
This resulted in constant grinding and the demise of the gearbox.
After the gearbox was repaired, I decide to drive the Esprit straight from the mechanic to the panel repair shop for a respray.
Heck the car was already off the road for 6 months, another 4 month as it turns out was a small price to pay for a shiny pearl blue esprit.
10 months later I finally was able to nurture that part of my brain that has always wanted to drive a go-kart on a freeway, a desire that can only be fulfilled by the Espirt, so despite a small reprieve from repairs, I again proceeded to attend to the many other areas of the Lotus that needed attention.
The interior was first on the agenda, then the electrics and instrumentation, soon followed by the steering rack and shockers.
It had now been 14 months since I first purchase the Esprit, and was beginning to wonder if it really was worth the effort and money.
I so much wanted to start enjoying the car, and just when I thought I was in the clear and completed all repairs, the alternator packed in.
An alternator is replaced in only hours for a normal car, but I very quickly realised the Lotus is not a normal car, and repairing the alternator would take 3 months.
Finally after 18 months, I started to enjoy the Esprit and cant help but think how much longer it would have taken to get the Lotus in it’s current shape if it had not been for the advice, expertise and parts are supplied by Lotus Marques. Always looking to make improvements, I had custom ROH wheels made for the Esprit.
Like everything else related to this car, the new wheels finally arrived 8 months later and were not without complications, but were a vast improvement.
The decision to go 16” front and 17” rear transformed this car into what might be perceived as a late model Lotus Esprit, and less like a tractor.
I now believed that I was free to cruise the highways, as the only aspect of the car that was not been worked on now was the engine which reminded me that it was about time for a service, but this was to be a service like no other.
Steve heard a brief noise in the engine during cold start up. He then told me that he suspected there was a big-end bearing problem where there was too much clearance between the crankshaft and bearings.
It was about this time that I wondered if Steve had some sort of METAL-telephony.
The decision to rebuild the engine did not come easily. I found it difficult to commit to an engine rebuild based on and obscure and brief noise, particularly when there are no symptoms that the engine was not healthy.
However, the potential for a more serious and expensive failure convinced me beyond doubt that I should take Steve’s advice.
When the engine was finally dismantled, it did not surprise me to find out that there was too much clearance between the crankshaft and bearings.
I was relived that this rebuild was not to be a wasted effort but at the same time felt a bit guilty that I had slightly doubted Steve’s diagnosis.
As it turns out the mechanic that previously rebuilt this engine put the wrong size bearings in, and the engine was close to a complete failure.
During the rebuild, I received almost daily updates and constant emails with attached photos showing details of the progress.
It was nice to know that this engine received the care and diligence it deserved. I need not have worried because I felt that I was involved during every step of the rebuild process.
At the completion of the rebuild Steve had taken over 200 digital photos.
I will be honest; the rebuild cost a lot more and took a lot longer than I had expected.
This was because of all the additional problems created by the previous engine rebuild.
Several delays were created by critical components being unavailable.
This was resolved by re-manufacturing valve guides and valves.
With a Lotus Esprit any amount of delays and costs is worth the effort when you first turn the key after a rebuild.
There is absolutely no substitute for the peace of mind knowing that my car is mechanically in tip top condition and confident that it is reliable every time it has been for a visit to Steve.
I would like to thank Lotus Marques and Steve Taylor for lavishing attention on my Lotus as if it was his very own.
Simon – 89 Lotus Esprit Owner
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