The Lotus is finished!

[Mark]

I have basically finished the renovation of my 1989 Lotus Esprit SE.

here is a new link for photobucket:

http://s749.photobucket.com/albums/xx13 ... enovation/


Over the course of about 18 months, I refreshed the motor as needed, new water pumps, seals, gaskets, etc.
I decided that I just could not leave well enough alone......
So, I powdercoated the engine parts. Could not stop their either.

The tires were a little worn, and I could not find 15" front tires, so let's find new wheels. For a Lotus. In Ozark MO. Ummmm Yea.

Found the wheels in Canada. That is another story.

A year later, and we are at the Titanic in Branson, MO.

"Gee Walt, that pollen is making my Black Lotus look kinda' greenish."

"Yes Mark, that happens to LBCs." (Little Black Cars)

Look at the scratches. Hmmm. I need to paint it anyhow. I am really tired of cleaning my black car.

Oh wow! Did you see that Corvette ZR1?! Did you see that other Corvette ZR1?! Wow! What is that yellow?

Excuse me sir, but can I pull up your trunk liner in your brand new supercharged ZR1 Vette so I can read your paint code? Yes? Thank you!

300N/45 for those interested. Velocity Tintcoat Yellow. $850 option on the ZR1.

Oh well.

2 1/2 months of spousal neglect and it's 2:15 am, I just finished putting it back together, and I need to be in Carthage at 8:30 am!

What a blast! No regrets, and I can't wait to start on the Jaguar!

Helene and I have had such a great time with everyone, and GOBMC has been wonderful to us!

Thanks everyone for the great times!!!

Mark & helene

PS - Walt, can we borrow the MGB again? That was such a blast!

[BugeyeBilly]

Mark, Your Lotus looks great! Sorry I missed seeing it at Carthage, I had family come in for the weekend...
You can paint my Bugeye anytime you're ready!

[jtlaw1]

it turned out great so what are you going to do to the jag now that you have all this free time

[Mark]

Well, I plan on sleeping 2 1/2 hours this weekend, and then in my spare time I'll finish the Jag!

No, seriously, the Jag is a major undertaking, as I have to completely build an engine for it, then adapt a Getrag 6 speed transaxle to the Jag engine, then do a lot of sheet metal work to make it fit, build a subframe for it, then widen the fenders, change over to a coil spring setup, then build a front suspension with modern brakes and wheel sizes, all while maintaining the looks of the car without making it look like a cartoon car of some sort.

I have already sort of started on it, in that I am getting ready to machine the 12 intake manifold spigots for the custom intake that I am building from scratch, and at the same time I am custom building a complete stainless steel exhaust system complete with scratch built headers. As always, I am doing as much as I can myself, which means I have to learn to tig weld aluminum and stainless before I get into it very far.....

Plus, I promised my wife that I would stay out of the garage on serious projects until Halloween.....

Mark

[momsauto]

Sure you don't wanna start a B project? High fun quotient for not much investment-wheels are easy to come by. And they look good in yellow. Dan

[Mark]

Hi Dan,

Yes, I will do an MGB. But since you have such a cool green one, I will have to do something truly special!

I am still thinking about it.

No kidding, I love your car with the wheels and being lowered. Someday in the near future, the right B will come along.......

But for now, I have an XJS in the driveway and a supercharger in the garage and, well, you know me. you do the math!

Mark