Had a 1985 Turbo...gorgeous but quite problematic. Traded for a yellow 1999 V8 twin turbo....had it for 20 years with minor issues. Went to "Ferrari Day" at Limerock Park in Connecticut with a couple of Ferraristi friends of mine (F355, 360 respectively) . The lovely yellow 99 Esprit was a main attraction in the sea of Rosso Corsa. Made my day!!!!
There are two kinds of former Lotus owners: 1. Owner’s who are still paying off their 2nd mortgages that paid for all the service and parts necessary to keep their cars running; and 2. Owners who slag their Esprits off to the next victim as quickly as possible. I had a fully, 100%, restored Esprit S4S. I drove it 3K miles in 8 mos. and spent $5K in repairs; left me on the side of the road twice.
I live near In Cornwall, Connecticut near Lime Rock Park and I owned a 1973 Lotus Europa John Player Special for 27 years and I’d often bring it to Lime Rock to race it and for shows. It always amazed the amount of attention it got, considering it was surrounded by lots of very expensive cars. I’m one of the lucky Lotus owners in that I had very few major problems with it, but I’m also a Lotus certified mechanic so I knew how to maintain it. It never went outside in rain or snow, and it was kept as dry as possible. I’ve owned Ferrari’s, Lamborghini’s, and now own a 1972 Maserati Ghibli 4.9 SS that I will never part with. Still, I’ve yet to find a car that handled like the Europa. The Ghibli is very stable and sure footed, but it’s a very large car and a completely different feel than the light and fast Europa. It’s too bad that Lotus never had excellent build quality, because they’re such addictive cars to drive.
@@Mike-rk8pxAgreed. Except for the (abysmal in my case) build quality, it was a fantastic car. For a car in such seemingly extraordinary condition, it was a rolling nightmare.
Iain’s videos remain the very best at mixing British charm with solid information and the joy of the hobby. As a Lotus fan, I really appreciated this one. Thanks for another great dream car review, Iain!
I am presently restoring a 83 turbo Esprit “Investor Edition” #32 of 50. I really understand your statement about these cars rushed to production!!! I do look forward to driving it at completion! Thanks for the fun video Ian!
@@chandrab the Lotus Forums online are were the most detailed restoration documentation is found. Check out the Restoration threads for the Lotus Esprit.
I own two Esprits: a 1987 S3 Turbo HCI and a 1994 S4. They both have their own charm but I do have a slight preference for the S3 too. I've just had the turbo redone on the S4, and it’ll be back on the road this week. The S3 is currently getting a full respray and should be ready by February. I absolutely love these cars-it’s fantastic to see them getting some well-deserved attention again!
@@FridgeProductionsLtd it's nothing to do with the lighting, the back of the pop up lights give you a good idea of where the front of the car is. They are a physical marker
The glorious Lotus Esprit will still look futuristic in 2076........Wonderful lines- an iconic design. As a late 70's, early 80's junior school boy, I was obsessed with the Esprit and regularly doodle sketched the Esprit on the back page of my exercise books! lol
Dear Ian, Thank you for another wonderful report on such an interesting and exciting car. I remember exactly how I was sitting in the cinema in Germany with my girlfriend, just 18 years old, when Roger Moore got into this car, which I didn’t know at the time-amazing! Your video gives us all the details and the knowledge about the circumstances of its creation. Without music and without any over-the-top effects, it’s truly impressive! Thank you very much, take care, and we’re all looking forward to the next exciting video!
Kamm back, or the aerodynamic principle that was discovered by Professor Kamm, dates back to the thirties. It was a young Peter Brock, while working under Harvey Earl at GM, who had access to their records, which had all of Kamm's work in their archives that they acquired from the military, post WW2, who used it to pen the Daytona coupe on a napkin in his mid 20s. The design was so unflattering and outlandish, that no one at Carroll Shelby's company wanted to help him in the process. We'll, after seeing how fast the first one was, seems everyone did a 180. Fun fact, one or two of the Daytonas were farmed out to Italian Coach builders who had the same stigma, so their end results were a tad different in the rear than the other cars/drawings they were given. It's subtle but if one of the Italian built cars is next to one of the American built ones, it becomes blatantly obvious. Also, the Gurney flap is usually a strip of metal riveted or screwed to an existing wing or spoiler that is not generating enough downforce. In other words, if Gurney took that Lotus you are showcasing onto the track, and was disappointed in rear grip at speed, he'd come into the garage and rivet a metal strip across the back of the car that protruded past the molded in spoiler. Then he'd go out n test it. Depending upon how it handled, he'd come back in and make a taller or shorter one, fix it, and test again, repeat as necessary until desired result attained.
@iain_tyrrell no sir. THANK YOU, for keeping these classics on the road and sharing them with us mere peasants, who can not afford most of what you n your crew wrench on daily.
no tyre guy will be sticking wreights onto the outer rims of my ’85 Turbo Esprit…. love this car so much, have had mine for twelve years, can’t let it go. So comfortable (even at 6’3”)!
Fabulous. I rebuilt an engine for one of these a while ago. 11:1 compression, twin 45 Dellorto’s, 105 rally spec cams. 2.2L and it made just over 200hp at the flywheel. Fabulous in this very light car.
The spoiler on the back isn't a Gurney Flap. A Gurney Flap is attached to the trailing edge of a wing; it's the small straight edge that sticks up. The story is that in 1971 Gurney was the owner of Bobby Unser's Indy Eagle, were testing at the oval in Phoenix, AZ, and Unser complained the handling was terrible. Gurney had driven the Ferrari with the spoiler, and thought that something similar on the back of the wing would improve the airflow. Unser went out, and his laptimes were slower. What happened was Unser drove slower because he didn't want others to find out how good the new piece was. The Gurney Flap became ubiquitous as teams figured out what he'd done, and is even now still in use
Many years ago I was driving between Auchterarder and Perth in my old integrale, I came across a red non turbo S2, we both hit the loud pedal, he had the edge on me. Always loved the Esprit.
Hi again Iain. From memory I don't think ever to have seen one in the real; an S1, 2 or 3 that is. These are so genuinely remarkable and recognisable. Very much a Giugiaro design indeed. No disrespect intended however Giorgetto distinctly was on that angular design language with the Audi 50, VW Passat, Scirocco, Golf at the time. Especially on the Esprit that expression has played out masterfully, far above the aformedmentioned. The original Esprit's look both spectacular and a bit reticent in an extremely well balanced manner. Thank you for the in-depth elucidation and taking us along is such symbol from a extraordinary era 💓
Thank you for doing this video! Nice to see the Esprit getting some much deserved love and attention. I'm currently working on an S1 and what's left of an S2 on my channel. I have a ton to learn and I'm enjoying every minute! I didn't know about the drive shaft issue, thanks for sharing!
Great to see you fellows go through an Esprit-agree the earlier ones were so great looking, esp the S1 with the steeper windshield rake and that awesome tartan interior. Always wish we got the S3 in the US since it was well developed, refined, and drove quite well but I think we went from the S2 to the turbo and S4 prior to the V8. Re car development I think there was a joke running around-ie what is another name for a Lotus developmental engineer? -customer. Also think Jensen got a 5% discount on the 907 engines from Lotus in exchange for no warranty-brilliant bit of business by Colin Chapman!
A very cool car. I am reminded of another very light 2wd vehicle whose colour was added to the body panels before moulding. A big favourite of mine for many years. Also with fully independent suspension and a separate chassis, although the bodywork was ABS rather than GRP.
Have always admired this car from day one- almost fifty years later it's still fresh and beautiful. As for the Series 3, I could accept the smoothed off update for the V8 engine.
The original Lotus Esprit and Maserati Boomerang or Guigaro's 'Kiwi' cars were introduced at the same car show in 1971. I wish I could send my Esprit to Ian for maintenance work, he is so knowledgeable and really understand these special cars.
Loved owning my Europa, apart from the challenges of my height with the car. The Gelcoat was a challenge to get right though, but what a glorious machine
Thank you, Sir for this video. I haven’t even finished it yet but I know it’ll be wonderful!! Thank you so much for your passion for cars and your RUclips content! Sending my very best wishes to you and yours this holiday season from the US!!
I remember Russell Bulgin writing for CAR magazine in the late 80’s(?) test driving a Turbo. He was on his way to the South of France 🇫🇷 in a torrential downpour and because of the width of the tyres, was at risk of aquaplaning even at 50mph. He was indignant though at being overtaken by a 2CV… 🤷♂️
I so loved the Esprit when it came out, such a great looking design! ...And then 007 used it! 👍🏻 Always wanted one, but was never brave enough to risk the reliability! Great vid Iain! 😃
Thanks Iain! It's great that you finally covered the Lotus Esprit. Also agree the earlier Esprit's are the better looking than later versions. The Peter Steven's refresh was apt for the time though.
Hi Ian, after the Lotus it's more than time to feature a TVR. Next month my ex-Saudi 4.3 Liter Big Valve Griffith will be back in the UK and I would voluntarily turn myself in for a service at your facility to do this video in case you would choose the car the man himself, Mister Trevor Wilkinson said about that of all the TVRs it'ss the sweetest of all. And the same from Neill Anderson, TVR chassis development engineer; asked about his ideal Griffith : "I wouldn't have power steering; it robs it of a bit of sensivity. I 'd have the old suspension kit, and I'd have the 4.3 engine; the big-valve version, which was the sweetest all round".
A company my mum worked for in the eighties had one as a promotional gimic, and she was handed the keys as she was seen as a safe pair of hands to look after it when it wasn't needed, anyway she said it was a bumpy ride but smoothed out wonderfully once you hit 90+.
My neighbor had a mid 80's turbo and he drove the wheels off that thing, he passed about 4 or 5 years ago, was still driving that car to the grocery store.. was a cool dude and i do miss the sound of the after market exhaust and turbo's.
I had a Esprit Turbo back in 1985. Brilliant car when it was working and always loved the looks of them but it spent much of its life in the Bell and Colvill workshop which kind of ruined the ownership experience.
Thanks, enjoyed that, a real touch of style in the design. I remember a family acquaintance bringing round to our house a yellow Eclat that he had won in a newspaper competition in the 70's. Not as good looking as this, as I remember. Cheers.
What a gem of a car that one is! Very enjoyable video Iain, a fascinating insight into a car that I adored as a boy, you couldn’t possibly have missed it at the time, especially after the success of The Spy Who Loved Me. I never knew about the Concorde paint, what an unusual way to do it.
I saw an Espirit Turbo at a local gathering. I found it interesting to see the sticker under the hood which listed tuneup procedures and smog testing. I had heard that carb engines with turbos attached were not a great combination. Perhaps the late Lotus Espirit S3 nonturbo has many upsides over the turbo version. Not everybody could enjoy the all or nothing turbo function of cars from back then. However, as you stated, the suspension introduced for the turbo version was an improvement.
Another major improvement between the S3 and the Turbo Esprit from earlier versions was that the chassis is galvanized so does not rust. (the rare S2.2 was also galvanized). Full marks in using S3 to refer only to the non-turbo. There was never any model named by Lotus as an S3 Turbo. The gelcoat-coloured cars were available in other colours. Many were orange.
I used to know a film producer who owned an S3 like that back in the ‘80’s. He always said he wished he owned two of them, one to drive whilst the other was being repaired due to constant unreliability. He would joke that he doesn’t own an Esprit, he just visits it regularly at his mechanic’s garage.
My dad had an S3 turbo in the 80s, modified for more turbo pressure and a wastegate exhaust that blew flames on downshifts. He then bought an S4 but the S3 was better.
I had an S130 a long time ago , had anew chassis fitted, reupholstered, engine worked on , I loved it , always wished I’d purchased an Esprit , personally I prefer the look of the S1 , I know it’s terrible quality, but I love them 👍👍👍👍👍
Sorry to go against the general thrust of things Iain but, my old company was, amongst other franchises, a big London Lotus dealer and I hated the thing. Our first demo S1 delivered in 1976 was, inevitably, white, but because Chunky was (as you imply) short of the readies, we had to pay for the thing by bank draft to the delivery driver, before he'd take it off the truck. My governor told me to PDI it and put 500 miles on it and, after doing so, I took it up the Edgware Road to comply. Giving it a bootfull out of the showroom, the throttle cable immediately broke, so it went back to the workshop. Eventually I did put the miles on it but the build quality and fit and finish--oh dear! It had Woolfrace style wheels on, which cheapened the look straight away, horrid BLMC switchgear etc, the exterior Marina door handles were real nail-breakers, the doors only opened so far and had a diabolically sharp angle to the trailing edge on the window frame which could give you a real wound, and that 907 was a flat sounding rough old old lot. As a 6' 3" bloke, I also found it somewhat less than comfortable... We had a helluva job selling them when compared to a 911 with its properly screwed together construction and flat 6 wail, or things like the 246, the 308 aoreven the Merak, all of which at least sounded like the money they cost. Like the sister 501-504 Elite, it was poorly put together, over bodied and a step away from what had made Lotus half successful with the Elan and Europa, just a horrible thing, it was not a success. I thought it awkward, ungainly, badly built and with the wrong engine then and I've never changed my opinion. In my opinion, the later Stevens design was far more successful and with the V8 fitted, a half decent car. Still built by Lotus though!
Great comment , I remember them in period too , and I would call them nearly cars , nearly fast , nearly brilliant, nearly a good package , but the things you interacted with every journey were cheap parts bin BLMC, dated tat , with poor Tactile feel . Chapman was a real styLe over substance operator ,and a master of marketing over engineering, always scratching around for funds and suppliers, himself and DeLorean were well matched , with one being a slightly bigger chancer than the other . The 70’s and 80’Biased British motoring press were a huge help in keeping Lotus afloat when their products were disastrous, lucky for them Clarkson was still at school !!! There was some hope when Lotus went to Toyota as a supplier of locks and switches, but they were still lumbered with the Vauxhall block . Yes , nearly brilliant , but always frustrating. Sunbeam Lotus was probably peak Lotus and their best work , awful pity it was the wrong sister company .
If you're not familiar with Dan Gurney look him up. The only driver Jim Clark worried about, had his on formula one team and won a race in his own car, raced indy cars and nascar and many other achievements.
Once drive my bosses Lotus Esprit Turbo S4 in yellow. I remember it was very low, very light and very fast. He later broke the rear suspension mount, due to living next to a farm.
You'd be surprised how good the NA is. I've never really felt it lacked power and it's altogether a more refined experience. Also, I'm not really sure what the Turbo is for since the front gets so light above 135 mph that it becomes slightly scary. However, on something like an S4S (the Julian Thompson date), which is a turbo, 135 mph is comfortable cruising and you can find yourself drifting up to that speed easily, even though you were intending to be at somewhere around 90. Seriously, you just don't notice how fast you're going.
I believe the early cars were using gel coat for color, like a boat. Color is sprayed into the mold before the fiberglass. I think it was red, white or yellow.
Funny thing that lotus where using aviation technology in there colors. I painted a beetle in white that was aviation paint in the 80s because it was cheaper but it looked amazing when finished.
I'm convinced that Harry's Garage and Tyrrell's Classic workshop exist just to prop up and improve the value of cars in the garage of Harry and friends.
![KSI - Dirty [Official Visualiser]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/VoDh1h1dPUE/mqdefault.jpg)
"Using leftover Concorde paint" is possibly my most favorite car trivia in the last decade. So good
Had a 1985 Turbo...gorgeous but quite problematic. Traded for a yellow 1999 V8 twin turbo....had it for 20 years with minor issues. Went to "Ferrari Day" at Limerock Park in Connecticut with a couple of Ferraristi friends of mine (F355, 360 respectively) . The lovely yellow 99 Esprit was a main attraction in the sea of Rosso Corsa. Made my day!!!!
There are two kinds of former Lotus owners: 1. Owner’s who are still paying off their 2nd mortgages that paid for all the service and parts necessary to keep their cars running; and 2. Owners who slag their Esprits off to the next victim as quickly as possible.
I had a fully, 100%, restored Esprit S4S. I drove it 3K miles in 8 mos. and spent $5K in repairs; left me on the side of the road twice.
I live near In Cornwall, Connecticut near Lime Rock Park and I owned a 1973 Lotus Europa John Player Special for 27 years and I’d often bring it to Lime Rock to race it and for shows. It always amazed the amount of attention it got, considering it was surrounded by lots of very expensive cars. I’m one of the lucky Lotus owners in that I had very few major problems with it, but I’m also a Lotus certified mechanic so I knew how to maintain it. It never went outside in rain or snow, and it was kept as dry as possible. I’ve owned Ferrari’s, Lamborghini’s, and now own a 1972 Maserati Ghibli 4.9 SS that I will never part with. Still, I’ve yet to find a car that handled like the Europa. The Ghibli is very stable and sure footed, but it’s a very large car and a completely different feel than the light and fast Europa. It’s too bad that Lotus never had excellent build quality, because they’re such addictive cars to drive.
@@Mike-rk8pxAgreed. Except for the (abysmal in my case) build quality, it was a fantastic car. For a car in such seemingly extraordinary condition, it was a rolling nightmare.
Iain’s videos remain the very best at mixing British charm with solid information and the joy of the hobby. As a Lotus fan, I really appreciated this one. Thanks for another great dream car review, Iain!
Well said!
@@lewbarrett 100%. We are lucky Harry convinced him to start the channel.
I am presently restoring a 83 turbo Esprit “Investor Edition” #32 of 50. I really understand your statement about these cars rushed to production!!! I do look forward to driving it at completion! Thanks for the fun video Ian!
Thanks. Hope all goes well with your great project
By 1983, it wasn't rushed into production. That was the S1! Which was essentially a prototype.
Are you documenting the restoration....Facebook esprit group or youtube?
@@chandrab the Lotus Forums online are were the most detailed restoration documentation is found. Check out the Restoration threads for the Lotus Esprit.
It was so space age for a 1975 design , still looks amazing
I can’t believe how modern this car looks. It’s always been one of my favourites
I own two Esprits: a 1987 S3 Turbo HCI and a 1994 S4. They both have their own charm but I do have a slight preference for the S3 too. I've just had the turbo redone on the S4, and it’ll be back on the road this week. The S3 is currently getting a full respray and should be ready by February. I absolutely love these cars-it’s fantastic to see them getting some well-deserved attention again!
Love the pop-up lights saying 'good night' ,nice touch.❤
If you want to park - you need the Headlamps to be up otherwise you cant see where the car starts.
Thank you
@@10zollit has side lights
@@FridgeProductionsLtd it's nothing to do with the lighting, the back of the pop up lights give you a good idea of where the front of the car is. They are a physical marker
@MrSlurry I never have a problem driving my S1. 2,000 miles this year alone.
A car so pretty it could double up as both a space ship and the best looking submarine ever.
Still my dream car. I have loved these as long as they've been around...
The europa may not have been a bread van but it WAS a crumpet carrier.
The glorious Lotus Esprit will still look futuristic in 2076........Wonderful lines- an iconic design. As a late 70's, early 80's junior school boy, I was obsessed with the Esprit and regularly doodle sketched the Esprit on the back page of my exercise books! lol
What a stunner, knocked it out the park this week.
Love the detailed video Iain, keep up the excellent work.
Dear Ian, Thank you for another wonderful report on such an interesting and exciting car. I remember exactly how I was sitting in the cinema in Germany with my girlfriend, just 18 years old, when Roger Moore got into this car, which I didn’t know at the time-amazing!
Your video gives us all the details and the knowledge about the circumstances of its creation. Without music and without any over-the-top effects, it’s truly impressive!
Thank you very much, take care, and we’re all looking forward to the next exciting video!
Kamm back, or the aerodynamic principle that was discovered by Professor Kamm, dates back to the thirties. It was a young Peter Brock, while working under Harvey Earl at GM, who had access to their records, which had all of Kamm's work in their archives that they acquired from the military, post WW2, who used it to pen the Daytona coupe on a napkin in his mid 20s. The design was so unflattering and outlandish, that no one at Carroll Shelby's company wanted to help him in the process. We'll, after seeing how fast the first one was, seems everyone did a 180. Fun fact, one or two of the Daytonas were farmed out to Italian Coach builders who had the same stigma, so their end results were a tad different in the rear than the other cars/drawings they were given. It's subtle but if one of the Italian built cars is next to one of the American built ones, it becomes blatantly obvious. Also, the Gurney flap is usually a strip of metal riveted or screwed to an existing wing or spoiler that is not generating enough downforce. In other words, if Gurney took that Lotus you are showcasing onto the track, and was disappointed in rear grip at speed, he'd come into the garage and rivet a metal strip across the back of the car that protruded past the molded in spoiler. Then he'd go out n test it. Depending upon how it handled, he'd come back in and make a taller or shorter one, fix it, and test again, repeat as necessary until desired result attained.
Thanks for that
Very interesting. 👌👌👌
@iain_tyrrell no sir. THANK YOU, for keeping these classics on the road and sharing them with us mere peasants, who can not afford most of what you n your crew wrench on daily.
The early’80s Turbo was literally my poster car. I could stare at that shape endlessly. 🥰
Excellent work bringing that S3 into use again. Glad you enjoyed the drive sharing it with us 👍
as always thank you for sharing your incredible knowledge on these wonderful cars
Another great video from TCW! Appreciate the eye candy and the inside/interesting stories you continue to bring to your audience! Cheers/B
Love the minimalistic design of the Esprit. Great video, as ususal, Lain!
Love the Concorde link.. Had a Lotus Sunbeam with that engine🎉🎉
I love the story about using paint from
the Concorde. You’re a living encyclopedia, Iain! Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Always one of my favorites
no tyre guy will be sticking wreights onto the outer rims of my ’85 Turbo Esprit…. love this car so much, have had mine for twelve years, can’t let it go. So comfortable (even at 6’3”)!
Again, I did learn some things. I really did not know about those Lotuses! Thanks Iain!😍👍
Pleasure- thank you!
Fabulous. I rebuilt an engine for one of these a while ago. 11:1 compression, twin 45 Dellorto’s, 105 rally spec cams. 2.2L and it made just over 200hp at the flywheel. Fabulous in this very light car.
The spoiler on the back isn't a Gurney Flap. A Gurney Flap is attached to the trailing edge of a wing; it's the small straight edge that sticks up. The story is that in 1971 Gurney was the owner of Bobby Unser's Indy Eagle, were testing at the oval in Phoenix, AZ, and Unser complained the handling was terrible. Gurney had driven the Ferrari with the spoiler, and thought that something similar on the back of the wing would improve the airflow. Unser went out, and his laptimes were slower. What happened was Unser drove slower because he didn't want others to find out how good the new piece was. The Gurney Flap became ubiquitous as teams figured out what he'd done, and is even now still in use
Ha, the closing "wink" from the pop up headlights was a nice touch! Kudos to the editor!
Such a beauty. I love the angles and the purity of design. Such a great car all around. Love the channel Ian, best shop content on RUclips.
Thank you
The Esprit is timeless!
Tyrriel wearing sunglasses driving a wedge shaped car is movie-material.
Many years ago I was driving between Auchterarder and Perth in my old integrale, I came across a red non turbo S2, we both hit the loud pedal, he had the edge on me. Always loved the Esprit.
Aside from the Concorde paint, the thing looks fast even standing still!
Very cool indeed!
Hi again Iain. From memory I don't think ever to have seen one in the real; an S1, 2 or 3 that is. These are so genuinely remarkable and recognisable. Very much a Giugiaro design indeed. No disrespect intended however Giorgetto distinctly was on that angular design language with the Audi 50, VW Passat, Scirocco, Golf at the time. Especially on the Esprit that expression has played out masterfully, far above the aformedmentioned. The original Esprit's look both spectacular and a bit reticent in an extremely well balanced manner. Thank you for the in-depth elucidation and taking us along is such symbol from a extraordinary era 💓
Pleasure as always. You are absolutely right about Guigiaro’s creations. Thanks for your invaluable help- depth comments
Thank you for doing this video! Nice to see the Esprit getting some much deserved love and attention. I'm currently working on an S1 and what's left of an S2 on my channel. I have a ton to learn and I'm enjoying every minute! I didn't know about the drive shaft issue, thanks for sharing!
Good to hear- keep up the good work!
Great to see you fellows go through an Esprit-agree the earlier ones were so great looking, esp the S1 with the steeper windshield rake and that awesome tartan interior. Always wish we got the S3 in the US since it was well developed, refined, and drove quite well but I think we went from the S2 to the turbo and S4 prior to the V8. Re car development I think there was a joke running around-ie what is another name for a Lotus developmental engineer? -customer. Also think Jensen got a 5% discount on the 907 engines from Lotus in exchange for no warranty-brilliant bit of business by Colin Chapman!
Thanks Mr T. As always your knowledge and experience, shines through 🎉
Thank you
Greetings from Athens, Greece. Always loved the Esprit’s, they look fantastic, fun fact… this car has Ford door mirrors, used in many Ghia spec Ford’s
Thanks and greetings to you too
The car is clearly very good looking. Thanks for the interesting story of the Bond connection.
You just know know it is first class when Ian opload 🎉
A very cool car. I am reminded of another very light 2wd vehicle whose colour was added to the body panels before moulding.
A big favourite of mine for many years.
Also with fully independent suspension and a separate chassis, although the bodywork was ABS rather than GRP.
Have always admired this car from day one- almost fifty years later it's still fresh and beautiful. As for the Series 3, I could accept the smoothed off update for the V8 engine.
The original Lotus Esprit and Maserati Boomerang or Guigaro's 'Kiwi' cars were introduced at the same car show in 1971.
I wish I could send my Esprit to Ian for maintenance work, he is so knowledgeable and really understand these special cars.
The Turbo was the dream car of my youth thanks to Test Drive (the computer game).
Still my dream car today, turbo or non.
Loved owning my Europa, apart from the challenges of my height with the car. The Gelcoat was a challenge to get right though, but what a glorious machine
Thank you, Sir for this video. I haven’t even finished it yet but I know it’ll be wonderful!! Thank you so much for your passion for cars and your RUclips content! Sending my very best wishes to you and yours this holiday season from the US!!
Thank you! Very best for Christmas and the New Year to you and yours too
Perfect Sunday, Iain with the Esprit S3, Harry with the 650S
Snap 👍
And Allen millyard with his nemesis.
I remember Russell Bulgin writing for CAR magazine in the late 80’s(?) test driving a Turbo. He was on his way to the South of France 🇫🇷 in a torrential downpour and because of the width of the tyres, was at risk of aquaplaning even at 50mph. He was indignant though at being overtaken by a 2CV… 🤷♂️
I so loved the Esprit when it came out, such a great looking design! ...And then 007 used it! 👍🏻 Always wanted one, but was never brave enough to risk the reliability! Great vid Iain! 😃
I loved these as a kid. The Bond thing was massive. The original Sharp stereo is a big 'takes me back' moment. Car stereos were awful back in the day!
Thanks Iain! It's great that you finally covered the Lotus Esprit. Also agree the earlier Esprit's are the better looking than later versions. The Peter Steven's refresh was apt for the time though.
I owned an S2 Esprit in white. Wish I still had it now. My brother had a Europa at the same time.
Always liked these, the stalks on the the steering wheel look like Peugeot 305 lol, gotta love Lotus
A little closer to home…..
Having all of the electrics work in a fiberglass car is amazing, in an English fiberglass car it's a bloody miracle!
Hi Ian, after the Lotus it's more than time to feature a TVR. Next month my ex-Saudi 4.3 Liter Big Valve Griffith will be back in the UK and I would voluntarily turn myself in for a service at your facility to do this video in case you would choose the car the man himself, Mister Trevor Wilkinson said about that of all the TVRs it'ss the sweetest of all. And the same from Neill Anderson, TVR chassis development engineer; asked about his ideal Griffith : "I wouldn't have power steering; it robs it of a bit of sensivity. I 'd have the old suspension kit, and I'd have the 4.3 engine; the big-valve version, which was the sweetest all round".
It does depend on what comes into the workshop but we’ll see. Thank
As always a super good video well done and greetings from Ireland
Thank you- greetings to you too!
A company my mum worked for in the eighties had one as a promotional gimic, and she was handed the keys as she was seen as a safe pair of hands to look after it when it wasn't needed, anyway she said it was a bumpy ride but smoothed out wonderfully once you hit 90+.
Glad you're changing the tyres, they currently Goodyear NCT 1s which haven't been available for 30-odd years!!
My neighbor had a mid 80's turbo and he drove the wheels off that thing, he passed about 4 or 5 years ago, was still driving that car to the grocery store.. was a cool dude and i do miss the sound of the after market exhaust and turbo's.
I had a Esprit Turbo back in 1985. Brilliant car when it was working and always loved the looks of them but it spent much of its life in the Bell and Colvill workshop which kind of ruined the ownership experience.
Thanks, enjoyed that, a real touch of style in the design. I remember a family acquaintance bringing round to our house a yellow Eclat that he had won in a newspaper competition in the 70's. Not as good looking as this, as I remember. Cheers.
Lucky chap nevertheless
Burglar Protected
Please release footage of Iain getting in/out of the Esprit! Guanteed to get lots of views ;)
Getting out is the problem
What a gem of a car that one is! Very enjoyable video Iain, a fascinating insight into a car that I adored as a boy, you couldn’t possibly have missed it at the time, especially after the success of The Spy Who Loved Me. I never knew about the Concorde paint, what an unusual way to do it.
I saw an Espirit Turbo at a local gathering. I found it interesting to see the sticker under the hood which listed tuneup procedures and smog testing. I had heard that carb engines with turbos attached were not a great combination.
Perhaps the late Lotus Espirit S3 nonturbo has many upsides over the turbo version. Not everybody could enjoy the all or nothing turbo function of cars from back then. However, as you stated, the suspension introduced for the turbo version was an improvement.
The Turbo installation was remarkably lag- free, particularly as it used carburettors
@@iain_tyrrell Wow, thanks. I suppose it also depended on how much boost versus how much displacement engineers were willing to go for.
Very nice motor - clearly a joy to drive even though it didn’t elicit the full Tyrell ‘ohhh yesssss!!!’
Exactly!
A Space 1999 reference
Super Cool
Always wanted an Espirt but finally ended up with my Emira
Caroline Munro was lovely
And she produced the best shock absorbers
I came very close in 1975 to buying a 1973 Lotus Twin Cam Special. It was painted black with gold stripes. I regret not buying it to this day.
Love the Esprit.
Another major improvement between the S3 and the Turbo Esprit from earlier versions was that the chassis is galvanized so does not rust. (the rare S2.2 was also galvanized). Full marks in using S3 to refer only to the non-turbo. There was never any model named by Lotus as an S3 Turbo.
The gelcoat-coloured cars were available in other colours. Many were orange.
I used to know a film producer who owned an S3 like that back in the ‘80’s. He always said he wished he owned two of them, one to drive whilst the other was being repaired due to constant unreliability. He would joke that he doesn’t own an Esprit, he just visits it regularly at his mechanic’s garage.
Another great review Iain, thanks. :)
If it had been closer to the war they would have all been Battleship Grey 😂 Chapman was such a character .
Great video, as usual perfect nerd/funfact balance. Keep ‘em coming!
That's crazy and the Concord paint
My dad had an S3 turbo in the 80s, modified for more turbo pressure and a wastegate exhaust that blew flames on downshifts. He then bought an S4 but the S3 was better.
I had an S130 a long time ago , had anew chassis fitted, reupholstered, engine worked on , I loved it , always wished I’d purchased an Esprit , personally I prefer the look of the S1 , I know it’s terrible quality, but I love them 👍👍👍👍👍
Yeah, the S1 is easily the prettiest of all the Giugiaro cars. I have this S3 and I'd still like an S1 as well.
Great content Ian on a British Icon 👍🏽
Sorry to go against the general thrust of things Iain but, my old company was, amongst other franchises, a big London Lotus dealer and I hated the thing. Our first demo S1 delivered in 1976 was, inevitably, white, but because Chunky was (as you imply) short of the readies, we had to pay for the thing by bank draft to the delivery driver, before he'd take it off the truck.
My governor told me to PDI it and put 500 miles on it and, after doing so, I took it up the Edgware Road to comply. Giving it a bootfull out of the showroom, the throttle cable immediately broke, so it went back to the workshop.
Eventually I did put the miles on it but the build quality and fit and finish--oh dear! It had Woolfrace style wheels on, which cheapened the look straight away, horrid BLMC switchgear etc, the exterior Marina door handles were real nail-breakers, the doors only opened so far and had a diabolically sharp angle to the trailing edge on the window frame which could give you a real wound, and that 907 was a flat sounding rough old old lot. As a 6' 3" bloke, I also found it somewhat less than comfortable...
We had a helluva job selling them when compared to a 911 with its properly screwed together construction and flat 6 wail, or things like the 246, the 308 aoreven the Merak, all of which at least sounded like the money they cost.
Like the sister 501-504 Elite, it was poorly put together, over bodied and a step away from what had made Lotus half successful with the Elan and Europa, just a horrible thing, it was not a success.
I thought it awkward, ungainly, badly built and with the wrong engine then and I've never changed my opinion. In my opinion, the later Stevens design was far more successful and with the V8 fitted, a half decent car. Still built by Lotus though!
Interesting to hear another opinion. And lol at Chunky. Wonder how he got that nickname as he was at most a few pounds overweight, if at all.
Yes, the quality on the earlier cars in particular was “interesting”. Thanks for sharing your experiences
L.O.T.U.S Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious
Great comment , I remember them in period too , and I would call them nearly cars , nearly fast , nearly brilliant, nearly a good package , but the things you interacted with every journey were cheap parts bin BLMC, dated tat , with poor Tactile feel .
Chapman was a real styLe over substance operator ,and a master of marketing over engineering, always scratching around for funds and suppliers, himself and DeLorean were well matched , with one being a slightly bigger chancer than the other .
The 70’s and 80’Biased British motoring press were a huge help in keeping Lotus afloat when their products were disastrous, lucky for them Clarkson was still at school !!!
There was some hope when Lotus went to Toyota as a supplier of locks and switches, but they were still lumbered with the Vauxhall block .
Yes , nearly brilliant , but always frustrating. Sunbeam Lotus was probably peak Lotus and their best work , awful pity it was the wrong sister company .
Still the best bond car to this very day.
Austin Martin has nothing on this car
If you're not familiar with Dan Gurney look him up. The only driver Jim Clark worried about, had his on formula one team and won a race in his own car, raced indy cars and nascar and many other achievements.
Iain. You sould have said: “The DeLorean is comming in the near future.”
Once drive my bosses Lotus Esprit Turbo S4 in yellow. I remember it was very low, very light and very fast. He later broke the rear suspension mount, due to living next to a farm.
Greeting from Thailand
Greetings to you too
Love the switch gear! 😂
I drove a Europa a long time ago where the rear suspension loads broke the engine mounts, for the reasons described.
Great video ❤
You described how the body had the upper and lower molds.
They must have got that idea from fiberglass boat manufacturing.
Such lovely lines. I would have the turbo.
You'd be surprised how good the NA is. I've never really felt it lacked power and it's altogether a more refined experience. Also, I'm not really sure what the Turbo is for since the front gets so light above 135 mph that it becomes slightly scary. However, on something like an S4S (the Julian Thompson date), which is a turbo, 135 mph is comfortable cruising and you can find yourself drifting up to that speed easily, even though you were intending to be at somewhere around 90. Seriously, you just don't notice how fast you're going.
I had no idea about the Concorde link, I thought it was gel coat like the motorcycle racing bodywork I used to make at Harris performance products.
11:00 Professor Kamm invented his aerodynamic shapes in the thirties and fourties. More than 20 years before!
I believe the early cars were using gel coat for color, like a boat. Color is sprayed into the mold before the fiberglass. I think it was red, white or yellow.
Very nice car .❤
I agree with you Ian...the earlier cars looked better..
especially the S2 and S3.
Funny thing that lotus where using aviation technology in there colors. I painted a beetle in white that was aviation paint in the 80s because it was cheaper but it looked amazing when finished.
I'm convinced that Harry's Garage and Tyrrell's Classic workshop exist just to prop up and improve the value of cars in the garage of Harry and friends.
Thankyou lain ❤
Fiberglass body allows almost any shape just as easily. And they chose to make the most angular Lotus ever.