Can you lighten a lightweight classic?

In this video I’m continuing the restoration on my 1978 Lotus Esprit S2. I’m going to rebuild and lighten the radiator, and the gear shift assembly. Subscribe for a will it run video on the Lotus’s engine that hasn’t been started in exactly 30 years.
For weekly behind the scenes videos join / gtkar

[@nextechsolutions5955]

FYI, there’s another guy on KZbin rebuilding an Esprit who did a CAD demo of the chassis flex. It exposes the weakness at the gearbox opening and the fix they made on the Esprit Sport model, cheers.

[@Andrew-jh5uv]

Yeah a great video

[@bradcogan8588]

What channel was it?

[@racingfortheson]

What channel?

[@scottcates]

What channel, amigo?

[@smudgetherealmc]

‘Jon Himself’ is presumably who we’re talking about

[@CyberSQUID9000]

Soup needs way more followers, share the channel around with all your petrolhead buddies , lets see if we can get him to 500k !!

[@by.jayanta]

this is the most underrated car build channel in youtube

[@andrewdunbar828]

it's definitely the most soothing

[@arvidkarlberg5845]

Having followed this build from the start and being a long-time patron; seeing that refurbished gear lever assembly get lowered into the chassis put a huge smile on my face. So happy to be in assembly stage!!

[@512Berlinetta]

Colin would be proud of how you are simplifying and adding lightness 👍

[@milescarter7803]

Interesting. I like videos with or without talking. As long as its clean, no profanity.

[@TheToolmanTim]

Your Lotus work is probably the most intensive restoration I've ever seen on KZbin. I'm currently doing a frame-off on a 49 Willys pickup. My going in intention was to focus on getting it into a solid, driver state. As I do the work I'm constantly running to the wire wheel to clean up every nut and bolt. It is at these times I have to ask myself "have I gone too far?" I just hate to put dirty or rusty bits back on to a clean frame. Seeing your work, I suspect you have had the same conversation with yourself.

[@andersjjensen]

My Mechanics is doing a 240Z restauration that is also going ALL the way.

[@stuartd9741]

Nope this is normal. If your going as far as a frame off no harm in cleaning and painting/refurbishing parts as you go. You'll protect individuals components from rust but also make future maintenance easier as all the bolts will come apart easy .the only downside is the extra time. Definitely a case; of while you're in there.....

[@montypythonish]

Love your videos. The stop frame must take years to shoot and edit. It takes me back to all the kids programs I watched in the 70's. Excellent.

[@kennyray116C]

KZbin Awards for best production... The Winner Soup Classic Motoring. Easy

[@Dave_Boyer]

I’ve always liked the Esprit, it’s a cool looking car. I had a customer that had one, and he said it was pretty unreliable, After watching your videos, and seeing how they are constructed, they look somewhat fragile compared to most cars over here in North America. I’ve worked on a few E Types, it just a different style of building a car. I do appreciate the dedication and craftsmanship going into rebuilding this car.

[@dion9146]

My favorite thing on this channel is the vice bolted to the giant block of wood

[@markzed66]

Great job. I had to explain the speed holes to my wife. She grudgingly accepted the concept.

[@bluetitan20]

Every single one of those grammes counts 😉 Fair play George, the amount of work you've put into filming this project, never mind what work you've already done on the car itself, just brilliant. Looking forward to seeing it gettin fired up, at long last.

[@henkwallet6756]

This was a good one, with stop-motion and normal work in a good amount of balance.

[@antking8847]

Love it George - although you had me going at the start before I realised you'd gone back in time lol. My continuity OCD was well and truly triggered!

[@PingCrosby1]

My old Austin Allegro used to also have this self disassembling feature built in,the only thing was it would constantly turn on when you were driving it 😁

[@stephenbroaders]

The gear lever work is stunning, loved the drop in shot at the end , oh and familiar looking s angles on the radiator, excellent as always 😎

[@Jayneflakes]

That was lovely, so relaxing even with out your gentle story telling voice.

[@royphilip3964]

Chapman would be proud

[@DonalHiggins-Ireland]

Feels like you're back in the groove and doing the good stuff.

[@EliteRock]

Appreciate the update. BTW, the gearchange aperture in the backbone was known to weaken it substantially and allow flex, it was modded/beefed up in some later versions (after it got turboed or a V8).

[@rbgosling]

Lovely work George. That radiator still feels very small, the Elite/Eclat has one that must be at least twice the size for the same engine!

[@bigpackrat]

These are excellent videos. Not just for entertainment but also for the detail involved in restoring an S2.

[@wesleycardinal8869]

Fantastic. You add lightness as a mechanic and as a photographer 👍🇦🇺

[@WRXBase]

I don't understand doing all that and putting the old radiator back in, but as you said: add lightness. Mission accomplished.

[@MrMontychops]

Mesmeric to watch, backing music - Grrrrreat 😎👌

[@user-qn7pd6is4n]

My S3 ‘lightened itself’ when the radiator and fan unit fell off one day as I was leaving to go to work! 😀 Thankfully a very nice old man in Liverpool made me an aluminium replacement! I think the S3 had the same rad as a Sherpa van. Different proportions to the one you are rebuilding.

[@D3nn1s]

Was the original aluminium as well? Be careful when mixing metals in a loop because of galvanic corrosion

[@robertpatrick3350]

@@D3nn1sLotus were fond of committing that sin…. the 900 series engine were aluminium as were most of the ancillaries… they did like to mix things up with rigid pipe sections, expansion tanks, radiators.

[@sugoi4983]

@@D3nn1s unavoidable tbh

[@D3nn1s]

@@sugoi4983 its def not unavoidable and something one should keep in mind

[@sugoi4983]

@@D3nn1s It's unrealistic, it's not a PC water cooling loop

[@tureencahill]

Should go into MOMI along with vids when finished. Its a work of art.

[@tureencahill]

Or IMMA.

[@Andrew-jh5uv]

Awesome 👏👍👍👍. Shouting to the choir here I know George the modern day cooling fans will also be a godsend 🤘🏻

[@philipB31]

I still love your work, however nuts I think taking on this project was… the first Bond film I saw at the cinema was the Spy Who (whatever) with the white one that did stuff and I will always have a warm, fuzzy space in my heart for a white Esprit with louvres over the back window… and torpedoes and machine guns and smoke… I can’t help thinking (still) that this should be a classic shade of white..? Regardless: your work is second only to someone who has refurbished their Esprit in such a fashion before… no, wait: that IS second to NONE! Great work!

[@AW_DIY_garage]

Ohh dang first start coming soon!!!!

[@kevinwright3141]

lovely progress

[@1fiatman]

Tidy job you have the place looking fantastic 👌

[@yukiotakata]

Georrrge!!! I get two weeks out of YT and you put 2 NEW VIDEOS OF THE LOTUS!!?!?!?!?!?!?!?? Well ...IM IIIIIIIINNNNNN!!!!

[@dcheetham8603]

This was an incredible video - just what I needed today. Thank you!

[@j14phe]

George as allways quality well done

[@Obankenobi]

"KEEP HANDS CLEAR" 😄

[@veressandormate]

Today, the driving experience offered by light cars is becoming more and more unattainable. This project is my favourite. I'm looking forward to the sequel!

[@markmaher665]

Stock Miata -> Exocet, boom!!

[@stuartd9741]

Indeed. It seems modern cars have over eaten extra steel portions and thus have gained weight.. .. That's why I drive a mini cooper S.. great fun. It's supposed to weigh around 1150kg standard. Bit with some lightweight seats, possibly fibreglass panel. AC delete. AC pump weighs 7 kg (while Keeping it road legal) Get that closer to 1000kg.. Mine has 200+ horses..+ that supercharger whine...

[@bradcrossman5068]

Damn it's satisfying to see stuff go back together after all this time. I'm guessing that goes double for you Georgie! 😁 Cheers Lad!

[@gcthreee]

Thanks, George. Continued brilliance.

[@OilNBolts1]

Excellent work. Such fun to watch!

[@pauloconnor7951]

Simply beautiful !!!

[@jeremywitt1940]

Interesting George. On my '79 all that sheet steel radiator frame is made from four pieces of aluminum bar welded into a wide rectangle, with the rad held in by strips screwed in place. I've had the car so long it will be original.

[@deepestdub]

Quality content as ever George. Loving your work.

[@hkmonaro8153]

Pop up headlights, the single best design feature of the automobile ever..

[@simonhodgetts6530]

Woah now! Where’s the intro? I love the intro music……damn!

[@grkfrk04]

Fantastic work

[@MrMaxeemum]

All that weight removed then replaced with dust. Now that progress is being made that heavy dust will soon be blown off. So glad to see it moving on again.

[@SJ-cy3hp]

Love the tunes and playful effects 👍🏽

[@mgb961]

Good solid progress, video quality as usual superb!

[@ChrisHessert]

Always enjoy your videos: thank you!

[@scottcates]

This is a cool video I like to watch. Thank you for making it.

[@aaronhall4741]

Cant wait to see more.

[@lennym1636]

Nice to see you at it again, can't wait to see it done...

[@rivenmotors7981]

It all adds up or rather it all subtracts down....eh too much maths. Lovely work G-man!

[@stuartd9741]

​@@bywonlineagree in part. In some aspects drilling holes in the radiator housing might aid cooling slightly allow water to run of quicker.. I think having strategic weigh loss is the way forward. Agree with the gear linkage. That needs to be strong especially for spirited driving.. although what George has done doubt it has weakened it that much..

[@stuartd9741]

@@bywonline watching Lotus rebuilds it's clear these cars were built cheaply. Not surprising they looked cobbled together..

[@NemoConsequentae]

Thanks for the update, George. Some good progress there! Once the big stuff is done, it's all fidly bits...

[@andydelapoer]

BRAVO !!!!!! George.

[@peterwarner8541]

Nice work George. I thought you were scraping dead flies off to save weight with that blade for a minute.

[@frankastroza2114]

Love your videos, that shifter needs a few speed holes

[@MrKlassmass]

So so good!

[@edj4758]

Love the Esprit.

[@jasonlee-os1qi]

YES!! Back to making art!! Thanks!

[@mgbrv8]

The old saying “oz’s make lb’s”

[@marcusott2973]

Easiest weight reduction is when to driver lays off the pies.

[@larrysorenson4789]

You can sand non structural parts of the fiberglass to 1/2 of their original thickness. Properly done can save up to 35 pounds

[@VWJETTAMK2]

I like your ideas and car restoration videos, I suggest you use rust removal materials from Evapo-Rust, as it treats metal, gets rid of rust, and works to improve the metal and give it protection

[@georgebettiol8338]

Can't agree more, CRC Evapo-Rust is a super effective product.

[@adogmcdizzle]

Beautiful, as ever.

[@chuckdeyo291]

The devil is in the details. But if you make the details into a challenge then you have won half of the game. Good job, and thanks for video.

[@asennad]

Hope you took that radiator to a shop to have it cleaned and pressure tested.

[@alanperry8676]

+10000 Radiator cooling was marginal at best when new. On this side of the pond they went to a thicker radiator core and then different radiator mounting to allow 4 radiator fans to be installed. (I kept one of the 4-fan mounting brackets because I am friends with the guy who designed it.)

[@xristoslazarakos9250]

Πολυ καλη δουλεια ΜΠΡΑΒΟ

[@piotrnod6489]

You were the chosen one! It was said that you would destroy the Sith, not join them. You were to bring balance to the Force, not leave it in darkness!

[@stevecann3394]

Aaahhhhhhh. Thanks, Mr Soup.

[@FPVsean]

I bet this thing is an absolute riot to drive on a B road

[@johnmcdonnell81]

Remove weight from a Chapman era Lotus? My first thought would be to add weight with bracing etc.

[@russianbot1420]

Soup is good for you.

[@caspar2937]

Beautiful❤

[@jeppenordfosskristensen7319]

Top job👌🏻🏁😎

[@tommyduk1779]

Lovely Jubbly

[@bandidol200]

Careful brother, I bet those rads aren't cheap, mind you, knowing Lotus, it's probably out of an Austin Maxi! 😁

[@mannye]

LOVE IT! But surely you had the radiator refurbished?

[@kieransammon666]

Letting the work do the talking #getafterit

[@KurisuDE]

3:00 for your own safety wear eye protection but good choice of investing in a wireless drill ( 4:00 ).

[@bandwagon240]

Have you thought about cold blueing? That would protect the shifter a bit.

[@kweightthree]

Yes, all you need is Rust.

[@fransb8543]

KZbinrs of the World rejoice, new Esprit content has landed

[@electricboatsandcars7066]

Dude, you need some safety glasses when wielding that angle grinder (with no guard). That grinding disc can easily come apart! Just saying.

[@mattconnor6779]

Sorry if I missed it, but was the rad already pressure tested?

[@koolkar55]

Did you give any thought to whether to chrome the gearshift lever or is it hidden when in the car by the surround? Thanks for sharing. So good to see some progress on this lovely car. Cheers Billy J.... Queensland, Australia.

[@jeremywitt1940]

They are chromed from new.

[@Lou-f]

That’s a tiny core to begin with 👌🏻

[@andynicolson1057]

As Penfold might exclaim, "Core Grimy D.M.!"

[@JAYREAD]

FORZA George!

[@kymcopyriot9776]

Lovely work as always. But rather than lightening that scabby old radiator mount, could you not replicate it in aluminium? Wonder if it would handle the vibes if rubber mounted. Aware that you have a Tig welder somewhere…

[@Ankeneering]

This is kind of the automotive Bobby Fingers.

[@forsh3546]

Esprit Superleggera! - you'll be offered a job at GMA if you carry on!

[@goransalic1029]

👍

[@philiprowney]

I felt sad clicking thumbs up, it was tree-tirty-tree. A connus a taw tu? [ bad phonetic Irish ;-) ] Love the channel ☘

[@garypoulton7311]

I would have just re-made the radiator mountain ng frame in aluminium, saved more weight, and elimanated the inherent corrosion problem againgst the alloy rad.

[@user-wr1xu9zx5s]

you should do this in aluminum

[@bandidol200]

I'm only asking because it didn't show it in the video, but I take you did flush the rad out and checked for any leaks with a bit of pressure?

[@unicorn7337]

Colin Chapman: Simplify and add lightness. George: Hold my beer.

[@energyideas]

Certain Patrons get to drive it when it is finished? ~smiley