1981 Chassis Scraping Plastic Plough Lotus VIDEO OUT THERE:

[deanchad]

lower than the window trim of the Audi!

Bit of an update, Tried a few different masters and slave cylinders, as yet there has been no improvement. it really doesn't seem that bad, just being picky.



The plan is to alter the front end 5mm or add a little negative camber, 2 degrees or so. it can be driven completely aired out at the minute but turning scrubs the arches. Its not possible to roll the arches. I could get the sander out and shave the grp!!!


Oh, I used platidip on the chrome front and window surrounds just to match the rest of the car. If you haven't already used this stuff, it just great. I would say 1 thing though, apply loads of coats and mask well. Otherwise you will be clay baring for a few hours!

[justhit40]

Just amazing

[deanchad]

link
insert code here
Having worked out erm, most of the niggles and issues, working until 3am last Saturday morning to complete the interior before the next step..... The shoot

Chris @ Inmotion-media was up for the challenge. A full day on the Sunday resulted in exactly what I wanted.




love it

[georgeb]

Lost for words. Stunning, absolutely stunning.

[Clement]

F*** yes. I'm speechless. Thanks for having shared the build, you deserve infinite credit!

[charliecroker]

Awesome, I had a sneak preview of this video earlier today, absolutely fantastic, an inspiration to us all.

[deanchad]

Cheers people. I only post the build on here, it's rewarding getting the car out the with alot of help from Chris.

The car performed well too, 10 hours of stop starting and power pulls, it only suffered from rough idle. That turned out to be the front idle stop screw had vibrated, screwing itself down and closing 4 butterflies a little.

[düdo]

I read though this thread slowly over the last few days when I had ten minutes here and there. Painstaking work, creativity and attention to detail. That's one sick ride.

Like the video. I just watched it with my two year old daughter who enjoyed it. Is that re-rub of 'wasting my young years' that plays a reference to all the time you spent in the garage getting this together? Great work.

[forkliftfred]

Love love love this car.

[grenade]

That is one of my dream cars. It hurts a little bit, seeing it like that. I'm not a fan. I think you've ruined it.

BUT- I certainly appreciate your love for the car and the work you've done. It just stings, probably because I'm too old for taking the ride quality away for appearance.

No insults meant at all. You have dedication and that counts for something. A lot, actually. But man, I would never have done that.

[bstardchild]

Mar 18, 2015 1:13:58 GMT grenade said:

That is one of my dream cars. It hurts a little bit, seeing it like that. I'm not a fan. I think you've ruined it.

BUT- I certainly appreciate your love for the car and the work you've done. It just stings, probably because I'm too old for taking the ride quality away for appearance.

No insults meant at all. You have dedication and that counts for something. A lot, actually. But man, I would never have done that.

One of the nice things about this place is it's such a broad church and that all are welcome

[jpsmit]

I love what you have done with it. Have you considered Lambo doors? Normally I think they look ridiculous -- even on Lambos, but with the rear hatch and the stance, they could look very cool!

[jeffeRS]

Truly gorgeous. There is nothing else to say.

[düdo]

Mar 18, 2015 1:13:58 GMT grenade said:

That is one of my dream cars. It hurts a little bit, seeing it like that. I'm not a fan. I think you've ruined it.

Mate, that's like insulting the Queen ( HRH Elton John). One could really ruin it with a nice brushed/rolled on paintjob, maybe fit a normally aspirated diesel, some nice wheeltrims from the pound shop etc.

But this is evolution as well as restraint and respect. And it's bang on with the spirit of Colin Chapman who was an inveterate tuner and modifier of other peoples' cars.

Another Lotus modifier here referred to 'the Lotus fraternity' who it seems like driving museum exhibits rather than pushing the envelope. Almost anyone can go out and buy a 'classic' car, it takes inspiration to take on these builds, especially Lotus' and other 'prestige cars' that have until recently been immune.

 How about the mess Q made of James Bond's Esprit ? Nuff said.

[GoJo372]

Mar 18, 2015 14:16:20 GMT düdo said:

Mar 18, 2015 1:13:58 GMT grenade said:

That is one of my dream cars. It hurts a little bit, seeing it like that. I'm not a fan. I think you've ruined it.

Mate, that's like insulting the Queen ( HRH Elton John). One could really ruin it with a nice brushed/rolled on paintjob, maybe fit a normally aspirated diesel, some nice wheeltrims from the pound shop etc.

But this is evolution as well as restraint and respect. And it's bang on with the spirit of Colin Chapman who was an inveterate tuner and modifier of other peoples' cars.

Another Lotus modifier here referred to 'the Lotus fraternity' who it seems like driving museum exhibits rather than pushing the envelope. Almost anyone can go out and buy a 'classic' car, it takes inspiration to take on these builds, especially Lotus' and other 'prestige cars' that have until recently been immune.

 How about the mess Q made of James Bond's Esprit ? Nuff said.

Here! Here!
Well said.
Modification is progress and its a personal expression of what an individual's ideal is.
You can't build a car that everyone is going to like and neither should you might I add but rather embrace variety.

[grenade]

Mar 18, 2015 14:50:29 GMT GoJo372 said:

I agree with you, it's a personal preference. Agreed that it's different and that not everyone is going to like it.

It's OK, I'm not being mean spirited at all and have respect for the work you put in.

It's just not for me.

[GoJo372]

That's what it's about mate.
It's good to be honest and have opinions :-)

[charliecroker]

The use is the word 'ruin' is misplaced regarding this car, the first Lotus wedge (to my knowledge) to be put on air in the entire world with bad ass wheels and a smashing V6 conversion that sounds as good as it looks. The craftmanship is top top notch and the vision is up there with the best, an award winning car that has had many editorial features both print and web, I know this whole thing is subjective but really...

[DWDarkWheels]

The vid really brings it to life. Great stuff.

[deanchad]

Hey, It's been a while since I posted and its nice to see it still divides opinion. This thing just makes me smile, no mater if I'm working on it or driving.

I totally respect the guys who have the museum pieces, keeping them in that condition is just as tough. The thing about Esprit's, they are all individual, all made to a customers specific requirement back thirty odd years ago. If by any chance one of the MANY previous owner read this post, get in tough. I would love to know its history and its bloody paint code!!

Stunning photos from Chris Frosin for the second shoot for Retro cars mag www.chrisfrosin.co.uk/automotive/

I've got some updates soon, pesky short throttle through gets sorted and mapping.


oh, better late then never the winnings from ultimate stance....