IsleroMan Report post Posted December 16, 2007 I've been looking for a mint early Esprit off and on for years. I really wanted a series 1 because it was the purist design, but most of them are junk. I had known about this one for a few years, and a couple months ago a friend of mine found out it was for sale, so we drove down to Sierra Vista, AZ, looked at it, and my friend bought it. Well shortly after he bought a Miura, so he needed to liquidate some of his cars, and today I bought the Esprit from him. This is by far the nicest '70s Esprit I have ever seen. It's the 8th Esprit imported to the US and has 37k orig. miles. It had 3 owners before my friend bought it in Oct., and has always been in CA and AZ. The paint is original; the interior was restored by the previous owner. It's not fast, but with only 2000lb to move, the 160bhp engine does surprisingly well. It looks really good next to the CT in the garage. I need to get some pics of them together. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ralfabco Report post Posted December 16, 2007 That is kewwwwwwl You need to drive that thing, on some real twisty roads. Congratulations - 2000 pounds Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
87-Countach Report post Posted December 16, 2007 VERY NICE! Great color, and the interior re-do looks top notch. Back in the early 80's, I was a couple of grand short of buying a Johnny Player Special. 1979 Model maybe??? In hindsight, I am glad I never got it considering my life at that time and the maintenance I now know it would have required, but I sure did want it at the time. Does it have the secret submarine conversion kit on it ? I know, trite. But someone would have said it! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IsleroMan Report post Posted December 16, 2007 Thanks guys. I'm really excited. Hard to believe you can still buy a car with supercar looks for $10k. It's much easier to drive than the CT. All the controls are lighter, the car is much lighter, and the outward visibility is better. I just wish there were more twisties here in Phoenix. All the roads are straight. I'll have to take it up north. And fortunately there's no water here in the desert, because it doesn't have the sub package. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ralfabco Report post Posted December 16, 2007 Thanks guys. I'm really excited. Hard to believe you can still buy a car with supercar looks for $10k. It's much easier to drive than the CT. All the controls are lighter, the car is much lighter, and the outward visibility is better. I just wish there were more twisties here in Phoenix. All the roads are straight. I'll have to take it up north. And fortunately there's no water here in the desert, because it doesn't have the sub package. Udo If you get bored in the future, can you please give me a call (b4 Jason-of course)? (I want a Lotus) !! - Try either Flagstaff, and or Mt. Lemmon in Tucson for some good roads. __________ I saw an article, that claimed these cars were the very first tier of entry level exotics. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IsleroMan Report post Posted December 16, 2007 Udo If you get bored in the future, can you please give me a call (b4 Jason-of course)? (I want a Lotus) !! - Try either Flagstaff, and or Mt. Lemmon in Tucson for some good roads. __________ I saw an article, that claimed these cars were the very first tier of entry level exotics. Will do. I do need to take the car north. Nice roads and scenery there. I think the Esprits are very undervalued. If that body had a bull or horsey badge, it would be worth 3-4x. Unfortunately having only 4 cylinders means it was never taken seriously. It should have had a small V8 from the start. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smash Boy Report post Posted December 16, 2007 Will do. I do need to take the car north. Nice roads and scenery there. I think the Esprits are very undervalued. If that body had a bull or horsey badge, it would be worth 3-4x. Unfortunately having only 4 cylinders means it was never taken seriously. It should have had a small V8 from the start. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ostoneman Report post Posted December 17, 2007 Nice...I had a 87 turbo once and loved it....are the pedals hugely offset and the wheel not straight?? Seem to remeber that was the case. On the right twisty roads if its well set up...not much will keep up with you. Congrats!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smurf Balls Report post Posted December 17, 2007 great looking Lotus i had a short experience with one of those and i was surprised with the handling, the only negative aspect of the car for me was the lack of power, the chassis could handle so much more... have fun,and be safe Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IsleroMan Report post Posted December 17, 2007 Nice...I had a 87 turbo once and loved it....are the pedals hugely offset and the wheel not straight?? Seem to remeber that was the case. On the right twisty roads if its well set up...not much will keep up with you. Congrats!! I haven't noticed anything unusual about the steering wheel, but the pedal box is pretty cramped for my size 13 feet, even worse than the CT. I have to use the sides of my feet. May have to go barefoot. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ralfabco Report post Posted December 17, 2007 I haven't noticed anything unusual about the steering wheel, but the pedal box is pretty cramped for my size 13 feet, even worse than the CT. I have to use the sides of my feet. May have to go barefoot. If it becomes too bad, please give me a call. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
topcabron Report post Posted January 5, 2008 Car looks great Udo. Best color Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
emilio Report post Posted January 6, 2008 i like it ! cool car and perfect color never seen a nicer example i have a lot of roads here perfect for it strong euro here LOL : please send me a PM when you will want to ged rid of it Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IsleroMan Report post Posted January 7, 2008 i like it ! cool car and perfect color never seen a nicer example i have a lot of roads here perfect for it strong euro here LOL : please send me a PM when you will want to ged rid of it Will do, but Ralph gets first dibs. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArytonS Report post Posted January 7, 2008 One of the all time greatest cars. The purtity of the concept and execution are peerless in modern automobiles. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ralfabco Report post Posted January 7, 2008 Will do, but Ralph gets first dibs. Udo Danke Emilio Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
emilio Report post Posted January 7, 2008 Udo Danke Emilio DAMN! we will see BTW: the car is really lovely and i am sure is a blast to drive on some secondary road Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ralfabco Report post Posted January 7, 2008 DAMN! we will see BTW: the car is really lovely and i am sure is a blast to drive on some secondary road Udo is going to take care of his Countach brother. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArytonS Report post Posted January 7, 2008 This just popped up amaingly for anyone looking: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1977-Lotus-...1QQcmdZViewItem Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IsleroMan Report post Posted January 7, 2008 That's a pretty nice car, too. Looks to be more original than mine, but mine is in better shape. While I kind of like the original tartan interior, especially on a white S1, most people are probably turned off by it. Mine was also upgraded to the Euro Dellorto DHLA carbs. I believe mine came with the Euro bumpers, but I can't confirm that. I hope he gets the $18k, though I doubt he will. It was bid up to $10,100 last week. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smash Boy Report post Posted January 7, 2008 Udo, Congrats on the Esprit, it looks wonderful! I wasn't too fond of the series 1 but these pics have made me change my mind, and the interior is sweet. Is that an OEM steering wheel and shifter? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
IsleroMan Report post Posted January 8, 2008 Udo, Congrats on the Esprit, it looks wonderful! I wasn't too fond of the series 1 but these pics have made me change my mind, and the interior is sweet. Is that an OEM steering wheel and shifter? I'm pretty sure the shift knob is original (the one on eBay has the same knob), but the steering wheel is definitely not. I have the original wheel (same as the eBay car), which I'll put back on when I sell the car. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smash Boy Report post Posted January 8, 2008 I'm pretty sure the shift knob is original (the one on eBay has the same knob), but the steering wheel is definitely not. I have the original wheel (same as the eBay car), which I'll put back on when I sell the car. I love the steering wheel. The 4 spoker looks very appropriate here...better than 3 I think! What MOMO model is that? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ralfabco Report post Posted January 8, 2008 I love the steering wheel. The 4 spoker looks very appropriate here...better than 3 I think! What MOMO model is that? The original is a two Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smash Boy Report post Posted January 8, 2008 The original is a two Was talking about the aftermarket wheel. OEM wheel looks ugly! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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