RE: Pauls Stephens Le Mans Classic Clubsport
Discussion
Cheib said:
I walked past this car parked on Pall Mall last night....there was some kind of launch event going on. Really didn't think it looked that special to be honest and nothing like a £250k car. Yes it might look cheap next to a Singer but if you parked them next to each other and looked at the quality of fit and finish and the mechanical components used I think you'd start to see very quickly where the money goes. Doesn't mean the Singer isn't a lunatic price in the UK but I wouldn't go for something like this as an alternative.
I've seen a few of the Paul Stephens 911s as they're often at a show near me and although nice, they're no Singer. I know they're significantly cheaper but in the world of stupid price 911s I'd rather pay the extra (if I had it). Agreed though, this doesn't look £250k worth. daveco said:
RM said:
unpc said:
Agreed the Lotus is far lovelier than the Porsche but as far as I know there's no one out there offering a restomod service for Esprits where wealthy buyers can buy a turnkey product, is there? Maybe I should start one...
I always thought a V8 Esprit under a S1 bodyshell would be rather nice.British Beef said:
Another astronomically priced rebuilt classic Porsche,this time with astro-turf carpets!!
Take a classic S3 Lotus Esprit (more sorted than S1 or S2 and purer and lighter than S4 - the sweet spot!!), rebuild and modify, engine up to 300bhp (if bored to 2.5 lt), I left mine at 2.2 with racing internals / ported flowed head etc to rev out to 8500 with reliable 240hp on carbs
The car weighs +/- 1000 kg stock, body is plastic so no expensive rust fixing ever required and IMO far more attractive shape, not needing the tweaks and wings that every one of these require.
At the end of it you have a rarer, better looking and more balanced driving machine with a proper low reclined and comfortable driving position behind a highly raked windscreen, and best of all, like any proper classic sports car you have (big) pop up headlights.
Perhaps I am biased, but I I don't think these things are worth the money, lovely as they are.
Lovely idea! A slightly different approach to the Esprit would work for me too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=581rF3HhKAMTake a classic S3 Lotus Esprit (more sorted than S1 or S2 and purer and lighter than S4 - the sweet spot!!), rebuild and modify, engine up to 300bhp (if bored to 2.5 lt), I left mine at 2.2 with racing internals / ported flowed head etc to rev out to 8500 with reliable 240hp on carbs
The car weighs +/- 1000 kg stock, body is plastic so no expensive rust fixing ever required and IMO far more attractive shape, not needing the tweaks and wings that every one of these require.
At the end of it you have a rarer, better looking and more balanced driving machine with a proper low reclined and comfortable driving position behind a highly raked windscreen, and best of all, like any proper classic sports car you have (big) pop up headlights.
Perhaps I am biased, but I I don't think these things are worth the money, lovely as they are.
Nerdherder said:
Lovely idea! A slightly different approach to the Esprit would work for me too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=581rF3HhKAM
I think the entre build thread of that Lotus is here on Pistonheads, somewhere. It is a good read, and boy does the owner put in a scary amount of hours and work to fit the engine transmission and electrics plus all anciliaries to make fit, including custom oil sump, engine mounts, radiators etc.The audi offering was one of the easiest and cheapest ways get V8 plus gearbox package into the Lotus (albeit rotating it 180 deg). Cheap to buy the donor parts. Expensive if you have to pay someone for the labour he put into it.
British Beef said:
Nerdherder said:
Lovely idea! A slightly different approach to the Esprit would work for me too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=581rF3HhKAM
I think the entre build thread of that Lotus is here on Pistonheads, somewhere. It is a good read, and boy does the owner put in a scary amount of hours and work to fit the engine transmission and electrics plus all anciliaries to make fit, including custom oil sump, engine mounts, radiators etc.The audi offering was one of the easiest and cheapest ways get V8 plus gearbox package into the Lotus (albeit rotating it 180 deg). Cheap to buy the donor parts. Expensive if you have to pay someone for the labour he put into it.
Nerdherder said:
My father is a mechanic and nearly up for his retirement. I'll view this (or something similar) as the plan to combat retirement boredom for him. Win-win. :grin:
As mentioned finding a cheap donor car is now expensive as the £3k ones are now £10k and upwards Still bargain compared to what a tatty 911 would be.Using like for like parts or modified parts from "Lotus Bits" is much simpler, then you maintain most originality...this is a snap shot of mine nearing the end of the rebuild with shiny new and upgraded parts:
British Beef said:
As mentioned finding a cheap donor car is now expensive as the £3k ones are now £10k and upwards Still bargain compared to what a tatty 911 would be.
Using like for like parts or modified parts from "Lotus Bits" is much simpler, then you maintain most originality...this is a snap shot of mine nearing the end of the rebuild with shiny new and upgraded parts:
Do you have a build thread?Using like for like parts or modified parts from "Lotus Bits" is much simpler, then you maintain most originality...this is a snap shot of mine nearing the end of the rebuild with shiny new and upgraded parts:
British Beef said:
Nerdherder said:
Lovely idea! A slightly different approach to the Esprit would work for me too: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=581rF3HhKAM
I think the entre build thread of that Lotus is here on Pistonheads, somewhere. It is a good read, and boy does the owner put in a scary amount of hours and work to fit the engine transmission and electrics plus all anciliaries to make fit, including custom oil sump, engine mounts, radiators etc.The audi offering was one of the easiest and cheapest ways get V8 plus gearbox package into the Lotus (albeit rotating it 180 deg). Cheap to buy the donor parts. Expensive if you have to pay someone for the labour he put into it.
https://www.thelotusforums.com/forums/topic/6152-1...
RM said:
Do you have a build thread?
Afraid not. All new parts, engine and gearbox rebuild, uprated exhaust, brakes, suspension,radiators all came from Lotus Bits.The rest of the work was body off, stripping chassis of rust, powder coating and reassembling with new alluminium cooling pipes installed (that run through the chassis and corrode over time.
Most of this work can be done by good DIY mechanic, but a car lift is very useful for body off chassis lift.
Maxige said:
That rear bumper makes the whole back of the car look very odd and "heavy" compared to the rest.
That's my one 'criticism'. Lovely car, otherwise perfect aesthetically I think, but the rear bumper is just a little too 'fat' if that makes sense. Just needs tucking up a little higher. But otherwise really, really nice. Proper hot rod feel to it.PGM said:
Whilst they are obviously very good and very expensive, this type of 911 conversion is getting boring now to normal people.
How can it ever be? I mean anyone who ever drove a raw spec lightweight early 911 knows its the real deal and you do not want anything else ever again!dinkel said:
How can it ever be? I mean anyone who ever drove a raw spec lightweight early 911 knows its the real deal and you do not want anything else ever again!
Lightweight, narrow body, sensible power to weight ratio, manual, steering feel...I'd never get bored of that. I really like the rear bumper treatment by the way. Oh and the wheels and higher profile tyres, they are to die for.
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