This is my Lotus Esprit build target

If you've ever had to decide on a colour for your car, you know my pain. This Lotus Esprit restoration is a dream that I'm working to make my reality. Very soon there'll be a rolling chassis build up.
www.georgekarellas.com

[@mr2spyderchronicles287]

I've lost track on how long ago i've seen the first video on this build, but even at a dead slow pace, your narrative, music choice and stop motion style are always a pleasure to watch

[@soupclassicmotoring]

Glad to know, harder now than ever to make videos people like

[@ianmaltby]

​@soupclassicmotoring it's definitely getting harder for videos to stand out, but yours always do. Production quality is top notch

[@lauraguerif565]

Des années que je vous regarde, sans jamais comprendre ce que vous dites et pourtant j'adore votre travail. Images toujours superbe, projets intéressants et super montage. La musique de cette épisode est tres bien choisi. Le bonjour de Granville en Normandie

[@TheUffeess]

I like when the punch keep pace with the music! Then green is my favorite color. I would paint the stainless parts black, but I trust your judgment. Thanks for another great video and greetings from Sweden! 👍

[@soupclassicmotoring]

I think black too ;)

[@stuartd9741]

Same here noticed that also about the music. .. I was thinking of black for the stainless trailing arms but the alloy hubs are silver. So perhaps having stainless arms give a slight monochromatic look?

[@philipB31]

All additional content, delayed videos, extra time watching your expertise is always greatly appreciated. Thank you, as always, for sharing… and for enriching the world you touch.

[@soupclassicmotoring]

Just one comment like this blocks out the haters. Thanks Philip

[@danandersson3556]

Thanks for making my day a bit brighter! I was feeling down and then Soup entered! 👍🏼🇸🇪

[@soupclassicmotoring]

Any time :)

[@danandersson3556]

@@soupclassicmotoring e Every time!!!

[@JasonSimonSmith]

OMG, SO ! happy to see this one move along.. Ladies and Gentlemen, this is ART !!

[@soupclassicmotoring]

🍻

[@michaellavin7102]

Irish Racing Green. Feckin luv it

[@solsol1624]

City Spares, a blast from the past, used to live there in the eighties 😊

[@soupclassicmotoring]

It’s a cool place

[@georgebettiol8338]

Your choice of green is very pleasing. What is even more pleasing is that you didn't select a colour from the 'monochromtic car world' that we now inhabit - or as some say - a colour from the 'German rainbow' that consists of: white, silver, black or (150 shades of) grey.

[@stuartd9741]

Exactly. Martini green looks right and looks period correct not to modern....

[@frankandrews58]

OMG I have a Holden Commodore in Aus and it has factory 'martini green' from 2004!!!! It is an iridescent colour here so not identical but your colour with yellow accessories would look very Lotus! I absolutely love your work and production. Cheers

[@brianpatten]

Using nature, like the hollow yet structured bones of avian variety, helped aeronautical engineers lighten aircraft. You, sir are working smart and making beautiful things.

[@soupclassicmotoring]

🍻

[@moesizlac2596]

Ship of Theseus reference on a car build! Smarts on top of dedication; greatness is made of these.

[@kmet2000]

Mate, it is so nice to see that you shifted to second and pressing the skinny pedal. And thank you for sharing your journey with us. Always entertaining 👍👍👍

[@soupclassicmotoring]

Sucking’ diesel now!

[@kmet2000]

@@soupclassicmotoring Diesel is fun. Produces lots of torque 👍 25 years afo I did "to the last bolt" restoration of Alfa Romeo Spider. I was afraid to use it than. Now I do solid rebuilds on my Jeeps and use them as intended. I get where you are and belive or not - you got me back to do my shit 👍

[@HarryeSimons]

Lightened by nature…. Chapman will be (sort of) smiling….

[@soupclassicmotoring]

He’d be wondering how to follow nature

[@CortinasAndClassics]

What an episode, I enjoyed this so much and I love the artwork of the car in green. It looks perfect.

[@themekfrommars]

I'd enjoy looking at the arms as they are now for a while, then paint them black before final assembly!

[@soupclassicmotoring]

Think that’ll be the way it goes by default ;)

[@grantlingley1385]

Yours is a garage I would love to visit…your skills and persistence, good on ya! I am working on a 914 and completely get ya re those jobs you thought were going to take a few hours…LOL! Keep at it, we love watching this Lotus come together! And one more thing, while my car is silver….all of my engine tin is bright green!

[@soupclassicmotoring]

Love a 914 in Irish Green, saw one once with a green tartan interior too. Was beautiful. Good luck with the work!

[@richardvernon3366]

Just keep on keeping on George, we're with you all the way. I think that everyone appreciates the supreme effort that goes into making these videos. Restoring a classic Lotus alone would finish off the best of us Oh and awesome colour choice BTW!

[@soupclassicmotoring]

I appreciate that Richard, thanks man.

[@phils6122]

hammering in time with the beat! genius editing

[@soupclassicmotoring]

🍻

[@andrewl6751]

Here is the ironic thing: i am watching you finish a long overdue project, while my motorcycle sits in pieces in my garage. Its probably cursing you right now

[@soupclassicmotoring]

😂 get on it!

[@andrewl6751]

@@soupclassicmotoring hahaha its running now. I seized the saturday and made it happen. Cant wait for your next vid

[@soupclassicmotoring]

Nice work!

[@cesarmagdaleno6009]

You’re very creative. I’m sure you will find a really nice green for the car.

[@soupclassicmotoring]

I hope so!

[@fransb8543]

What a way to kick off the weekend. Thanks pal

[@soupclassicmotoring]

Any time!

[@somewhat7]

08:03 not a critique, but some friendly 'make your life easier' help. Place the spout at the top when you pour (closest the hand holding the container) and you won't wind up with little splashy surprises. Love the videos by the way

[@soupclassicmotoring]

Thanks for the tip, watch out for it ;)

[@Vaino_Hotti]

The in-motion-stop-motion thing you did with drilling the control arm speed holes was superduper cool!

[@soupclassicmotoring]

Thanks Viano

[@2loudspeakers]

Keep chipping away, you're getting there! Love the magic drill sequence!

[@soupclassicmotoring]

Thanks. Will do!

[@flyingcod14]

Love your videos, lovely choice of colour. 💚

[@soupclassicmotoring]

Thank you :)

[@energyideas]

Nice horn accompaniment in the spray booth. Thanks.

[@soupclassicmotoring]

You bet

[@johng.3906]

Lovely and very suitable color 👌🏽

[@soupclassicmotoring]

Thank you! 😊

[@Andrew-jh5uv]

George fixing up the original trailing arms yep a smart move ...stainless look awesome but it cant hurt...... my last 2 cents stainless ...i see those trailing arms and I want to paint them black 😉

[@kougerat5388]

I would be tempted to use a satin finish polishing mop on those lovely stainless arms. I wish I could weld that neatly too. Another great video👍

[@mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm420]

The zero in place of 'O' in the poster has triggered my OCD 😧

[@stemcleeds]

Yes green! Irish green with gold wheels. 👌🏆

[@soupclassicmotoring]

There’s a render somewhere with gold wheels ;)

[@LittlePixelTM]

Team Green all the way! So good to see this marching towards being done - quietly, carefully but with purpose.

[@soupclassicmotoring]

That’s it dude, just forging ahead best I can

[@DIY-V12]

When you first started this series I was blown away by the extra time and effort that goes into the production of each episode. You are slightly mad and it is a good thing. Music choices and blipclips are hilarious. Your color choice is magnificent, the weight savings dubious but overall the restoration process and goal are inspiring. You are definitely lucky to have a guiding hand 4:45

[@soupclassicmotoring]

Lovely words, thank you

[@magnoooz]

Loving the green, it's going to be amazing

[@Andrew-jh5uv]

George that colour choice is bang on ..of course black, white, red etc etc but it really gives the esprit some elegance as well... brother posters superb👏👏

[@soupclassicmotoring]

Thanks Andrew, might even have some posters printed for viewers

[@Andrew-jh5uv]

@@soupclassicmotoring yes please👌🏼

[@lennym1636]

Looking great, you know I had a neighbor with a Lotus Esprit he had the frame flat black and the suspension gold, looked super, O and I wouldn't be afraid to go even lighter on the green...

[@soupclassicmotoring]

We’re you looking up it’s skirt?

[@irishwolfhound1987]

Love the Martini green.

[@soupclassicmotoring]

😎

[@mikwhiting938]

Nothing happens, everything happens. Love it.

[@soupclassicmotoring]

On it now!

[@mikwhiting938]

@@soupclassicmotoring Best channel on YT mate. As I say - love it. (Wish you'd chosen white though ;) )

[@marcusott2973]

Much awaited, much appreciated looking forward to excellent work as always from you.

[@soupclassicmotoring]

Enjoy!

[@wesleycardinal8869]

There's a new energy in your videos, some real poetry too. Loving the old stuff is a good philosophy, there's probably a Japanese word for it. Good to see Ron Swanson made an appearance, made me laugh 👍🇦🇺

[@soupclassicmotoring]

Would love to know the Japanese word for it. kintsukuroi is repairing broken pottery with gold 😎

[@stevearmstrong4883]

I love your videos. The Lotus Esprit is my favourite car of all time and seeing this meticulous restoration, no matter how long it takes, is truly wonderful. Keep it up!

[@soupclassicmotoring]

Thank you Steve

[@Abandon7d]

MOST DEFINATELY leave the stainless raw. Not only can you/ does it look awesome/ but it even saves more than 28 Grams...

[@stephenbroaders]

Nice work! Thanks for the mention at the end 😎

[@soupclassicmotoring]

Always an acknowledgement for Stevie B

[@rivenmotors7981]

Great episode George, the effort is amazing the results are stunning. Glad you can bolt stuff back together!

[@soupclassicmotoring]

Thanks dude, just need the bolts now

[@ShahSelbe]

These videos are inspiring me to get the work done on my ‘79 S2 as well! So thank you for that. I know I will be revisiting some of these when I run into some confusion on how things go back together. Deepest thanks for adding some quality content to the Esprit space, we don’t have a lot of good stuff here on KZbin so this series is deeply appreciated.

[@soupclassicmotoring]

We’re definitely light on Esprit content. Check out @Granblogismo too for more S2. Actually Mark’s car is the exact colour combination mine was when it was new! Good luck with your build :)

[@timmoore9592]

LOVE the color choice!!!!

[@DazGeary]

That's the colour! It will look amazing.

[@soupclassicmotoring]

Hope so!

[@mikemccarthy7375]

I love what you’re doing with the Lotus. Keep it up and don’t quit. You got this! 😃👍🏼

[@soupclassicmotoring]

Thanks Will do!

[@Carmalarky]

Just excellent. Composition, lighting, commentary, editing, content. All impressive. Happy to see this build continuing, and that's a nice green. Martini!

[@soupclassicmotoring]

Cheers! 🍸

[@finlay230]

leave the raw stainless if its 316 , love it !!

[@scottcates]

🕺I'm here for the synchronized hammer blows.

[@soupclassicmotoring]

🍻

[@grkfrk04]

Love that color!

[@soupclassicmotoring]

☝🏼😉

[@andrewmarkland9411]

Thx for this one George. I love everything about your channel, however we disagree on that green! Keep it up!

[@soupclassicmotoring]

Be boring if we always saw eye to eye. Thanks Andrew

[@chrismoller01]

oh yeah, meant to add the "green" (gremlin) is awesome - great choice!

[@soupclassicmotoring]

Glad you like it!

[@sendybenny]

I, like everyone else I’m sure, drop everything at the sight of you’re uploads to watch!

[@soupclassicmotoring]

Not everyone, but just enough :)

[@GeneFraxby]

That green is spot on - it'll look fabulous.

[@GeneFraxby]

It might need Gold stripes though....

[@soupclassicmotoring]

There might be gold somewhere in the end

[@GeneFraxby]

@@soupclassicmotoring Ur doin it rite

[@drew699]

Great to see the Larry Lotus content back on track at last. The Monaco white is so beautifully pure and suits the origami styling, but the (chrome?) orange is also an epic early Espirit colour. I remember seeing a Swiss registered early Espirit in orange with the Wolfrace wheels parked lakeside on Lake Geneva and it looked so fresh even in the 2010’s, just like it had landed from, outer space. What a design & 50 years on, the Giugiaro has truly returned to its appreciated status as an iconic shape. Based on my calculations, this car might just be completed on its 50th birthday, in a few years time! Good luck.

[@soupclassicmotoring]

Nope, this year :)

[@jim5alive]

Your car begs to be pearl white! It is the quintessential 80's high style luxury car color.

[@soupclassicmotoring]

Was only saying to someone earlier I'd love the Esprit SE Limited Edition that came in pearl white!

[@julianneale6128]

You continue to impress. This will be, by far, way better than any Esprite that came off the production line. Very well done sir! Please keep it up...

[@soupclassicmotoring]

It’ll be interesting to see whether it lives up to the trouble rep regardless

[@LandoMorales]

Yes More of this please

[@JohnHonda101]

I always enjoy your video's.

[@soupclassicmotoring]

I appreciate it :)

[@MrDeancoote]

British racing green '.. love it. The holes look very Jules verne , 007 would approve.

[@soupclassicmotoring]

Oh yes! Jules Verne will do. (It’s really Irish Racing Green btw)

[@michaelkim3432]

The green looks great! But the Esprit would probably look great in any color!

[@soupclassicmotoring]

🍻

[@thodkats]

The colour actually really reminds me of Ireland! Suits you nicely! :)

[@soupclassicmotoring]

It does! And your bike

[@simonkeyse8185]

Always a pleasure watching your videos. 👍

[@soupclassicmotoring]

Thanks Simon

[@zg8626]

How about a green wrap? The green would certainly be striking, but it seems a shame for such a careful and loving restoration to permanently diverge so far from the classic factory colour...

[@pkg996]

So, so looking forward to seeing this awesome project being completed. Keep going!

[@soupclassicmotoring]

Will keep the pace best I can!

[@YusssoM]

Yay my favorite color!! 😍

[@kingmiro]

Gold fits good to green too !!!

[@soupclassicmotoring]

;)

[@bandidol200]

Great colour choice! 😎

[@soupclassicmotoring]

Thanks! 👍

[@robbell4339]

I know she’s not an S1, but I’d still go with white for the 007 vibe. Remember: the sly will love you!

[@soupclassicmotoring]

Not that big a Bond fan that I need the car white

[@robbell4339]

@@soupclassicmotoring in that case, the world’s your oyster. A reddy orange (red Leicester wedge?) would be cool, but a cool shade of green would be superb too 👍

[@duanecarroll6425]

Tony in City Spares ,top guy 👍

[@soupclassicmotoring]

Hundred cement!

[@kjeldlarsen912]

Thank you very much

[@juscozcustoms]

That render looks awesome, It will look even better when you make it real "Green is nice" -Max Cullen (running on empty)

[@soupclassicmotoring]

Have to look that up!

[@juscozcustoms]

@@soupclassicmotoring it's an old Aussie muscle car movie (not the American remake with the same name)

[@nextechsolutions5955]

I’m sure you managed to lighten and strengthen that cross-beam at the same time.😎

[@soupclassicmotoring]

So they say but can only be sure that it’s a little lighter

[@paulryan522]

Well done, George!

[@soupclassicmotoring]

Cheers Paul

[@skyknight6467]

Good color choice! You won't regret it. My wife and I have matching Energy Green cars and it's the best thing we've ever done.

[@soupclassicmotoring]

Haha amazing!

[@mannye]

I swear that I wished you lived closer because I would gladly give up many evenings and weekends to help you paint. I love painting! All it would cost you is a ride or two and a few pints.

[@soupclassicmotoring]

Are we talking air fare? 😂

[@mannye]

LOL... How much to ship a Lotus to Miami Beach?

[@vinnyboots6508]

Nice George!!!!!

[@soupclassicmotoring]

Cheers Vinny

[@Paperdart-pilot]

Green is Good!

[@soupclassicmotoring]

Cullen?

[@CallumRepairs]

Your Lotus is going to look great when it's complete!

[@soupclassicmotoring]

I hope so!

[@MrRBobs]

by pressing the holes the surface area is strengthened and it looks good

[@soupclassicmotoring]

Hope so!

[@pontuswendt2486]

AMAZINGNES!!!

[@soupclassicmotoring]

🍻

[@D3nn1s]

9:08 thanks for showing me that song. I abolutely love, just like i do your lotus :D Every time i hear it i think about your channel lol

[@soupclassicmotoring]

Happy to hear that, thanks 🙂

[@davidclarke1731]

Looks best in white and worth more .

[@soupclassicmotoring]

Way too many white Esprits in the world!

[@johnpartridge7623]

Martini Green looks good 👍

[@soupclassicmotoring]

I’m loving it, just have to get the tone just right

[@johnpartridge7623]

@@soupclassicmotoring You will, good luck mate 👍

[@kingcal53]

Editing the video so the hammering is in time to the beat

[@soupclassicmotoring]

Haha! Please digital gods, give us a chefs kiss emoji

[@yukiotakata]

Ohhh boy we are reaally moving now!!! Give me ✋ George!

[@soupclassicmotoring]

😂

[@edmonddantes9975]

Oxidizing may have been a good choice for weight savings. In grams the weight of the paint adds up.

[@bobfrankish8883]

Always good when one of your videos pops up George. The colour is certainly divisive. Personally, if you are going to choose a flat colour, for me it would not be green. As someone has said, the metallic blues look good on those cars. The Triumph Stags looked awful in green in my opinion (Dennis Waterman's car in "New Tricks" for example). White or yellow with a good choice of interior contrast maybe.

[@soupclassicmotoring]

Not a fan of racing green, and agree about that green stag. This will be a more vibrant version. Blue isn’t me

[@bobfrankish8883]

@@soupclassicmotoring OK George, fully understand, it's your car at the end of the day. Whatever the colour, it will be a very special example of that car.

[@cybersurfer2010]

Wonderful….

[@soupclassicmotoring]

Thanks

[@louvendran7273]

I looked at thst poster & went, "Roger Moore". Fantastic job, mate. Greetings from Auckland

[@soupclassicmotoring]

Many thanks!

[@alcampbell5831]

Another finish option for the stainless steel arms - polish them. That would also be the lightest.

[@soupclassicmotoring]

The thought of the amount of work to polish them well gives me anxiety though

[@andersjjensen]

Came for the stop motion. Stayed for the outlook on life!

[@soupclassicmotoring]

Never knew Anders, thanks dude :)

[@turboslugfiero]

I still think your Lotus front upper A-arms look like my Fiero's😉 By the way, I called "green" back when you asked. Good choice👍

[@soupclassicmotoring]

Checked that out and yeah they’re very similar. It’s all GM isn’t it

[@malcolmyoung7866]

Been doing stuff, George.. washed my Noddy car and ‘LT35 Moby Dick’ also weather here has been great if a bit chilly. Freelander IRD (Transfer case) stripped for bearing and seal replacement might have to check the turbo one of the pipes is leaking oil.. Jag still lounges in England.. Seeing you use copious amounts of cleaners in your prep work.. mentioned by Gar during the van painting phase.. good man!! Keep on keeping on George.. love that green..

[@soupclassicmotoring]

Sploshing that degreaser around like water Mal ;) You have been busy, washing the LT is probably a two day job lol

[@malcolmyoung7866]

'Almost two days, the green slime off the woods next our 'gaff' along with the beginnings of lichen...it was a bit of a workout...

[@MrCarrera28]

I suspect if you listed those posters on your website you would sell enough for a limited edition run.

[@soupclassicmotoring]

Looking into it, thanks

[@themekfrommars]

Nice speed holes!

[@soupclassicmotoring]

Thought I’d get flamed for them, so thanks 💪🏼

[@remobls]

All Britts must love BP green. They don't alloud you into the pub otherwise. 😅