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Lotus Esprit S1 1977 Restoration Project

Sale price: £20,000.00 make an offer

Car location: Radwell, United Kingdom

Sale type: Fixed price listing

Technical specifications, photos and description:

Year:
1977
Doors:
2
Engine:
2
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Lotus Esprit S1 1977 Restoration Project for sale

Current customer rating: current rating for this car(2.05) based on 78 votes
This auction is for an early series 1 Lotus Esprit restoration project, the same model used in the Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me. I bought it with the intention of restoring it but a change of plans means it's now for sale and is your chance to buy a very rare car as there are probably only 50 or so RHD series 1 cars still around now. This particular car is an early gelcoat model but has been repainted... badly! So it will need stripping and repainting. It is chassis number 234G which means it's the 135th UK car ever built as they started at 100G. It's a February '77 car and at some point it's been side swiped down the passenger side but the HPI is totally clear so I assume it was repaired by the insurance company. Some of the waistline is missing down the passenger side but the easiest way to repair this is to pop rivet a square aluminium section. I don't know a great deal of the previous history but I suspect it's been off the road for 20 years, but that's just a guess.At some point in the past somebody added a sunroof and body panels to make it look like a Turbo which included butchering the lower front quarters to add a later style front spoiler and replacing the sills and rear bumper. So I have done all the difficult bits of the bodywork including reconstructing the lower front quarters, filling in the sunroof and replacing the sills. I've filled in the extra 'ear' behind the rear window which somebody added to feed air into the engine bay - S1s get very hot! I have also replaced the entire plywood bulkhead as the original had been butchered and was starting to rot. All the body panels needed for this car will be supplied but the body will require the paint stripping and all the star cracks repairing along with any splits but these are not difficult to fix and you could do them yourself or have a body shop do them. A small amount of filler will be needed but a coat of high build primer should be enough to blend the repairs in once it's been fully block sanded. Luckily, inside the front boot has not been painted as that would be difficult to strip.I have the V5 in my name and when I bought it there were a lot of items missing. However, I have sourced all the obsolete items that can't be bought from the regular suppliers so it's a relatively straightforward project now and would make an ideal winter project.This car was originally red from the factory with a dark brown/oatmeal marcasite interior with a brown steering wheel. I have sourced an original brown steering wheel with crash pad and boss and also a full set of 5 Wolfrace wheels in very good condition.The car currently has a private number plate on it but I know what the original registration was ('R' reg) and it appears to still be available so you should be able to get it back relatively easily from the DVLA.The interior is all there and is correct for a series 1 car. I can put you in touch with a trimming company who can trim it to your spec as they have all the patterns for the series 1 and have done a number of these cars before so they know them very well.The steering column is missing so a new one will need to be bought but I have the steering lock with a pair of keys. The upper u/j on the steering column will also be needed but I have the lower u/j.The Veglia green dials are there but the other panels for the dash will need to be bought as will the switches but I do have the correct binnacle. The wiring loom is present but there is no battery or mounting plates (which can all be bought).The handbrake is there.The headlamp pods are both there with the bowls, lamps and plastic surrounds.The number plate surround is there as are the rear lamp clusters and surrounds but you will need a pair of front side lights/indicators (same as a Mini Clubman).The glass is all there apart from the windscreen. Some of the door glass is tinted but it's very subtle and looks similar to clear glass so hardly noticable.The chassis, suspension, engine, gearbox are all together and untouched. I have not attempted to start the engine but it's free and not seized and the gearbox seems to have all the gears. The anti-roll bar is there although it's not fitted to the chassis at present.The engine and gearbox are the originals but the head has been changed at some point.The back box of the exhaust is there but I'm not convinced it's the correct one and the manifold needs replacing. I would just buy a full stainless steel system from SJ Sportscars and replace the whole lot. I have a back box mounting plate but it will need stripping and repainting.It has a pair of fuel tanks (which look like new old stock but I could be wrong?) with the rubber filler pipes and metal filler necks. The original fuel pump is also supplied along with all the fittings for the fuel lines to the carbs. A pair of fuel filler caps will need to be bought new or sourced second hand (same as the Eclat).The doors and frames are all there although the passenger door shell has been repaired from the side swipe (not very well) and I would look for a new door shell although it could be repaired. The driver's door frame needs aluminium welding to repair it (they often crack). A pair of new door locks will need to be bought as I don't have the door keys.The electric window motors and mechanisms are both there.The metal bracing panels are all present to remount the doors. I also have the mechanism for latching the bonnet.The metal brace behind the seats is there and a pair of seatbelts, but it would be worth replacing the 40 year old belts for safety reasons.The 2 plastic panels for the B posts are there.The rear quarter windows are there along with the metal frames.The bonnet and tailgate are both there and so is the engine cover. The tailgate release mechanism is all there.I have a radiator and heater with the matrix and plenum to mount the heater although the matrix has a pin hole and will need refurbishing. I haven't pressure tested the radiator but it is the correct one for the series 1 and the radiator mounting tray is also present. I have the pipework for the heater to the dash with all the correct vents.There is a good original front bumper included and a rear bumper which will need work.I have made a new front spoiler for the car which will be included and I will also supply a correct style rear valance.The brake master cylinder and booster are present but will need refurbishing.The pedal box is there.There is a single headlamp lift motor and some of the mechanism but the missing parts can be bought from SJ Sportscars.The washer bottle and pump are there and also the wiper motor, arm and blade although the mounting hardware will need to be bought from SJ.There are no boot boards but they can be bought from SJ Sportscars.Make no mistake this is a full restoration project which is why I haven't bothered to reassemble it because the first thing you'll do is rip it all apart but I realise this could be a daunting task if you've never taken one of these things apart before so I'm happy to answer questions as you restore it and help if I can. I have owned an early S1 for 15 years so I'm reasonably familiar with them. There are bound to be bits still missing but I believe I have sourced all the obsolete bits that cannot be bought new. I can mount the body back on the chassis before collection to make it easier to transport.If you fancy one of these cars but don't want to go down the restoration route then I also have a 1978 S1 for sale which just needs a bit of recommissioning.I would like a £250 deposit after the auction ends so that I know you're serious. If you're not willing to commit to this then please do not bid and if you win it but do not pay the deposit then it will either be offered to the next highest bidder or relisted. The car will not be released until paid for in full via bank transfer.Any questions, either send me a message or ring me on 07709 057559 and please note that the rotisserie is not included in the sale but could be bought separately for the cost of the steel and the wheels. 

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Comments and questions to the seller:

from Michael , dated 31 march 2022
Don’t suppose you still have this if not do you have any more s1 esprit for sale or coming up.
Many thanks

from tom maddison , dated 01 january 2022
hi is the lotus s1 still for sale thanks tom

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