Why a 23 Year Old Just Bought a 1979 Lotus Esprit S2

[@KevGoesRiding]

You know you're driving a late 70s car when you see an ashtray built into the door sills, located closer to the driver than the handbrake lever

[@TheCannonball79]

I drove an S1 in the 1979 Cannonball it was a great little car a blast on the twisty roads . Yes it could have used a little more horsepower but the added lightness more than compensated. I loved watching the guys in their Corvettes scare themselves silly trying to keep up with me on the back roads.

[@roseroy64]

I agree about the comfort those big profile tyres give it a superb ride quality but it's still a sharp handling machine. I have a JPS and love it. The attention and reaction it gets for a now 40 a year old sports car makes you smile. The Giugiaro shape is an outstanding design.

[@GSimpsonOAM]

The Esprit S2 is quite civilised in regular traffic. The Dellortos make the engine well behaved across the rev range. Power is more like 160bhp in UK trim but torque is quite good. Routine maintenance items are cheap as they come off common models. I have had mine 17 years and not had the motor out yet.

[@barryfeatherstone1616]

I drove these;in period (along with TVRs, Porsches, Jensens, Fiats & Reliant Scimitar GTEs working for Charles Follett in Berkeley Square). The Esprit was easily my favourite. It gave me the feeling that the steering was so good you could still change direction even with 4 wheels off the ground... a particular humped back bridge informed that feeling 😊

[@davidstuart4915]

I road test one that upon spotting a desired turn off on a back road, applying moderate braking..it just wouldnt turn at all, until I released the brake! _ Never found out if this particular one had wild geometry set up, or it was an included trait

[@barryfeatherstone1616]

@@davidstuart4915 Sounds like a gremlin to me. They certainly weren't designed that way..😂

[@gvybin]

@@davidstuart4915 I own a 1980 S2.2 What you describe is by no means it's normal behaviour. They are a blast on quick backroads and they are very difficult to unsettle. I mean , You can easily throw them from left to right.

[@davidstuart4915]

@@gvybin thanks for feedback - this was moderately late braking, possibly with moderate road camber - turned to go left and the steering loaded up so much it fully resisted turning left - - i had to remove the brake - normal steering resumed - I presume the geometry must have been well out then (not noticeable when not braking) cheers D

[@Eddieboote]

My eagle eye spotted the red pipe at 1.09mins in. The pipe that runs from the front to back from master to slave cylinder for the clutch. These expand and you lose pressure then get crunchy gear changes or on very hot days horribly cannot get it into gear. Really terrible from Lotus. They even fitted these in early Elise’s. Obvious mod is to bin it for a nice steel braided one from PNM or SJs….Very worth while mod. The owner will instantly see a difference.

[@mgutkowski]

This was a fault which found is way across to DeLorean, in which a Stainless braided line has been the fix long before the Esprit went out of production.

[@brendanhaley3668]

Thanks for doing these videos with British classics. As an Aussie I will never see many of the vehicles you come across, but I will live the experience through you. Great work.

[@marcnobel3938]

Just looking at it and spit runs out of my mouth. What a delicious car! Congratulations to the 23 Year Old.

[@RoverWaters]

this Esprit looks better than all new Lotus cars

[@LMCWUE]

it looks better than all new cars never mind lotus"s😅

[@watchfan6180]

So so so cool back in the day. Back then people were proud of British cars. My dad had Granada, Rover, Escort Mk1 RS Mexico. By the 90s he got a BMW, then over to Lexus when BMW lost reliability. Please get that white esprit. Love the wedge design from the Esprit and Countach.

[@manuel-xax]

Sublime. I love the color, the interior is superb and makes one travel back in time. This little 2.0l sounds quite good too, and that's a welcome bonus for sure !

[@superdooperoofer8941]

Ahhh, my oldest brother’s mate had one, 25 years ago. Treated it like absolute shit, usually spent all week in our shed fixin it for the weekend. Eventually ended up in the scrapheap, then he bought an alfasud…. Both cars i’m sure cost him the price of a house.

[@johntheaccountant5594]

Yourbrother clearly had masachistic tendencies owning those two cars.

[@AnyoneSeenMikeHunt]

Fantastic shape, looks like it's speeding just sitting still. Also looks like it was built in a shed on weekends.

[@johntheaccountant5594]

Love the built in a shed on the weekend. I could imagine someone building it with a bit of fibre glass kit.

[@yandman26]

It basically was built in a shed at weekends.

[@jonathancollard3710]

Just got my hands on a last gen V8 turbo version. Definitely got the wedge shape softened but perfected aesthetically by then and the interior is actually pretty modern in look and feel and useable. Blinking heck… it’s quick 😳

[@lawrencebmarshall]

Was bidding on a 79 JPS yesterday, but missed out. Still on the hunt for an esprit of my own.

[@kevincockburn7805]

70s gold, 70s velour covering the interior. A great looking thing. Not quite as pretty as the S1, but not many modern cars as striking.

[@gvybin]

The S1 is worth more, because it is the James Bond car. The subtle changes that the S2 got , are for many espritfans, what makes the S2 stylewise the most pretty one. f.e. It got the beautiful italian speedline alloys instead of the somewhat "vulgar" wolfrace wheels, that also were on less exclusive cars of its era. Those speedlines were Chapmans choise. The wheels were slightly wider and the stance looked just better f.e It got a subtle but far better integrated front spoiler then the "glued on" slab of the S1. But it still was very close to the original "silver car " that Giugiaro designed ( just like the S1 ) with its delicate front and rearbumber, unlike the Turbo esprit and S3's wrap arounds.

[@coughingsnake6846]

Just bought one.. can’t drive it without the sunroof up and my slimmest shoes on 🤪 lovely car

[@AxLWake]

This car looks so good. Amazingly cool. The color and interior are also a pure joy to behold. I love it so much, I wouldn't car too much about how it drive...

[@TheMrFishnDucks]

Awesome looking car. Thanks for showcasing some of these older cars. Keep up the good work.

[@5thgearouttahere]

Well done Callum. Love the spec, enjoy this stunner mate 🙂

[@davidevans4089]

Always liked these, I am old enough to remember when they came out in the mid seventies.

[@dhmallet]

A lovely turn of phrase: "like a hand across the surface of the road"

[@darrellsimpson6966]

A very pretty car from any angle. A really nice colour. Can't think why they are so expensive to maintain. Wouldn't have rust problems. Great presentation. Shame about the traffic.

[@ingopaul67]

Car of my dreams when I was a young lad in the late 70s, but who doesn't have a soft spot for a Lotus Esprit.

[@BUMHEAD1100]

What a lad ! Get some skis on the roof and get to the ski jump - Roger Moore style.

[@shahnawazvlog6266]

Love it have one back than same car same years! Life time experience back than and still have a place in my heart, Love the vintage Esprit

[@nickmoore2301]

That's the most amazing interior ever, would that be velour ? It just brings me back to my childhood, my dad used to have corderoy trousers that colour ☺️ you are a lucky lucky man to be able to drive these cars 👍😊

[@grimson]

The interior material called marcasite. Some Esprit owners have nicknamed it ‘mouse fur’

[@amphilbey]

Great video and really good to see these era Esprits in good shape and getting the coverage they deserve.

[@johang7498]

These looked and still today look so sensational. Especially in S1/S2-form, the esprit has a very pure and timeless shape. And then, when you open the door, you're instantly thrown back into Roger Moore's James Bond-era. The Rover SD1-taillights also remind you of that era. Somehow, I love the combination of all those things.

[@I999-g2s]

It was always the Allegro/Marina door handles that did it for me ;-)

[@mrgdc7120]

Draylon-esque fabrics everywhere! Love it!

[@paulduffin131]

The early ones look the best

[@JDoors]

One of my dream cars, thanks for featuring one.

[@S-Ltd1000]

Love these cars. I remember trying to convince my old man to buy one when they first came out.

[@Richard-Bullock]

That is really brave buying a Lotus Esprit at age 23. When I was 23 (in 1999) I had a 1995 Nissan Primera 1.6 LX.

[@cliveyboyb5770]

The insurance companies would not insure me at 24 for a S3 Esprit but they would insure me for an Excel so I bought one of those instead. My first ever Lotus.

[@BM-di4cu]

Would love to see a follow up on this car, or a similar spec S2, and hope for better road conditions. I feel like the one thing that makes a Lotus a Lotus couldn't be displayed here. Nonetheless, still a great video!

[@grayfool]

Definitely a bucket list car. Wonderful things.

[@MyRetroWatches]

Love this car and it’s colour. So Retro and I like Retro!!

[@ww3110]

Saw this at the Morgan Astrally Aspirated Meet last week, took my eye immediately! Bloody lovely car 😰

[@buzzcrushtrendkill]

Thats is the best looking, with the gold paint, Esprit in my book. My dream would be dropping a moder n Toyota V6 in it so I could daily drive with less worry and a bit more HP. Great video!

[@pmapilot2052]

At 20 bought a used S2 Europa best handling car ever! Also have owned a S1 Esprit and currently a 87 Turbo Esprit for 11 years. Maintenance on the Europa And Esprit not bad at all. The Esprit handles well but is more a GT car. 5 Lotuses over 50 years, great cars.

[@benbuchanan672]

I saw this very car at Shelley Walsh earlier this year. Lovely 👍🏻

[@lr_s3102]

Just perfect. Especially in gold.

[@sgttombailes3380]

I loved my '88 Turbo Esprit as a daily driver for 2 years. Luckily, I had problems during that time. I always said it would go around a flag pole at high speed !! BTW; mine was identical to the Red over Saddle leather just like Sharon Stone drove in the movie when she stated "It handles like it's on rails".

[@eze8970]

Thanks J, amazing shape of these, great looking cars!

[@phil8437]

Investing money in cars like this is far more sensible than putting money in the bank gaining mediocre interest. You get the enjoyment of the car plus when or if you come to sell, you will probably sell it for more than your initial purchase price. Very good review thanks.

[@The.Last.Guitar.Hero.]

i bloody love these especially the S1

[@jasonheathcote7407]

The Esprit is one of my all time favourite cars. Definitely on my bucket list to drive one if not own one. Just as you James, a white Turbo S3 with the red decals and black bumpers is my favourite.

[@the_tube]

James, I think quite a few people hanker after an S3 Turbo in white with red lettering. You’ll need to be quick if you spot a good one for sale.

[@Tom-li9xq]

Interior looks absolutely gorgeous !!

[@miamimo70]

26! Wedge heaven. You need mirrors to do the timing belt in situ

[@chrisogrady28]

One of the best interiors and driving positions I've ever seen

[@ChristianRThomas]

The driving position is heaven sent. The whole car just wraps around you like a Mini. And the non-adjustable seats are simply perfect.

[@chrisogrady28]

@@ChristianRThomas I just want to sit as low as possible in all cars, I hate the trend of tall cars so much. I'm a tall person and crave how it feels to climb into a low position and rocket down the road with my arse centimetres above it

[@lotusgroup123]

I owned one with leather seats. Constantly slid forward/down and had to push myself back to the correct position. Air vents that let no air in. Constantly lowering the door windows as it was too hot inside, and raising them because it was too noisy (wind noise) when they were down. Horrible chassis buzz at exactly 70mph, so you had to drive it above or below the legal limit to avoid.

[@ChristianRThomas]

@@lotusgroup123 This is useful info about the seats. Mine is half-leather so has a carpety material down the middle of the back and seat. I now know not to change it to full leather. Why didn't you chase down the source of your chassis buzz. It's not normal - not that I often drive at 70mph.

[@ChristianRThomas]

@@chrisogrady28 You should love it, then. :)

[@Kelveron]

Giorgetto Giugiaro's brilliant design has certainly stood the test of time.

[@cliveyboyb5770]

Still one of my favourite looking cars of all time. The later Stephens design never really did it for me.

[@LMCWUE]

@@cliveyboyb5770 same here love the lines of the giugaro

[@iddles2o]

Great video as always Jay. My Dad had your dream Esprit Turbo, only difference when he got it the previous owner had colour coded the bumpers and wheels white with the holes in the BBS alloys matching red, it was the eighties and it was awesome! Created a stir wherever he went. He had to spend quite a lot on it when he first got it, but after sorting it it was pretty reliable. He used it as a daily driver doing some pretty big miles and for the most part it was pretty reliable.

[@cliveyboyb5770]

Lotus have always had a reputation for unreliability and its simply not true. If you keep on top of servicing and pre emptive maintenance they are not as bad as people make out.

[@BySixa]

James, I'm unsure how possible this would be, but I'd love to see you review a toyota chaser tourer V (the jzx100 model) for your jdm legends series

[@VINTTRO]

We loved the old esprit, let’s face it they are all pretty cool particularly the S1, 2s and 3s. Great video as always.

[@Retrobeemer]

I've always liked Esprit. I see one most days that breaks my heart, as it's sat on a Truro driveway decaying and has been for a few years now. I've left notes (as have many I'm sure) but the owner clearly doesn't want to sell I assume. Shame, as it seems like such a waste.

[@The0rs]

Red S3? Such a shame. If you look back on streetview, you can see it goes up on ramps & then just left.

[@floridahummer]

had one about 40 years ago, not fast but sooo low and wide it was fantastic round bends it was like driving on railway lines.

[@cliveyboyb5770]

About 5 inch ground clearance from memory. So low sometimes having to climb up onto the kerb or not being able to open the door properly as the kerb was particularly high. Happy memories.

[@callytheblueparakeet]

Beige velour. Pop-up headlights. I’m sold.

[@KSL12]

Going back in time, reminds me of my youth. Great.

[@petyrkowalski9887]

Alwyays loved the Esprit. …that dash and interior…. My Gran had a sofa like that.

[@TiagoJoaoSilva]

Soup Classic Motoring channel has been painstakingly restoring a badly mistreated S2 from the central spine outwards, and it's mesmerizing, he has a great sense of humor and amazing cinematography, but it has been taking sooo looong.... Can't rush perfection, I guess.

[@davidstuart4915]

I agree on all points, wish he could step up progress rate

[@mortenlaursen1179]

LOVE the Esprit !! However running costs...hmm....the first generation Turbo, was my dream car when I was 13 years old and saw For Your Eyes Only at the cinema...love Harry Metcalfs trip to Cortina to revisit FYEO location in hos white Esprit Turbo. Great S2 and video.

[@seinsmeld13]

Cheerio chap! Great short review.

[@arthurdardalis]

Fantastic looking especially with Barbara Bach in the passenger seat, btw virtually certain the gearbox was from Renault Btw #2The turbo was as fast as the 911 turbo, the S2 was under 7 secs to 60, I think you need to reassess your speed senses

[@andrewstubbings5628]

Have a wide arched Corvette 74 Stingray if you fancy a blast in that?

[@TheOrangeEliseCup250]

I 💚 the Giugiaro design so much. The other 007 car.

[@hobgoblinoftruth5815]

Driven a later model that’s faster but power or not that particular car looks beautiful, the interior is period and really stunning, the loose fitting switches are a bit of a shame that does comes with the territory though, overall love it lucky 23 year old ! Also I’m 6ft 2 and fitted in the car I drove 🙂

[@Hopgoodd]

It's a great time warp! These cars really handle well!

[@marvusparvus]

wow that's a great Lotus ! BIG cheers !!!

[@liverpoolscottish6430]

So VERY Roger Moore! Love it. What a stunning looking machine. as 70's as a plastic pineapple ice cooler! Iconic.

[@RzogL]

Finally! I've been waiting for this one for a long time. Nothing wrong with that Citroën SM gearbox, Tony Rudd said you pay for the gearchange and you get of the rest of the car for free. Always loved Giugiaro Esprits, particularly the N/A ones. Much prefer the bumpers and wheels of the S1/S2 cars to the S3/turbo design, though of course the later cars benefit from a revised and fully galvanised chassis. The restomodded twin of this car is still normally aspirated, but better looking and faster than the turbo cars (skirts, slats and spoilers rob the car of the purity and delicacy that the original round-belly, arrow nosed design had, also Giorgetto got the aerodynamics wrong with that big ugly rear spoiler on the Turbo), but its replica Wolfrace wheels look about 1" too big and give the game away. This one looks just perfect. Great to see it's in fine fettle now.

[@benedwards1047]

The 1980 S2.2 model had the original shape but a galvanised chassis and the 2.2 Type 912 engine - its the best model in my opinion - and I love mine!

[@RzogL]

@@benedwards1047 Rare as hen's teeth! Didn't they make something like 80 of those in total? PS You are a very lucky man and I hate you. :-P

[@benedwards1047]

@@RzogL Haha - yes they made 88 I think, half right-hand-drive and the other left hookers for the non-UK market. I wonder how many have survived? Mine is silver with red leather

[@ChristianRThomas]

@@benedwards1047 I have an NA S3 which seems to me to be almost the same as the S2.2. I think it's plenty fast enough , don't you? I've got an HC engine from an Excel in mine but I don't imagine it adds that much. I'm surprised that James doesn't think it's quick enough but that engine sounds nothing like as smooth as mine and isn't freely whizzing to the top of the rev range. In fact it's a bit unrecognisable as a Lotus engine and I've owned five of them (3 Excels, one Esprit and a brilliant Elite 504 which I'd have again), The Elite would be the closest to this but you can blat that until almost on a corner, slam on the brakes and then enjoy the grip on the way round. That perfect handling DNA runs all the way through their 70s cars and I would say further back, including the Elan +2 which I've always loved . I assume you're the Ben Edwards that took me round Brands Hatch where you gave me 88 or 89% but said I was riding the clutch a bit. Thank you, I enjoyed that day. And it was great fun to find you commentating on Eurosport not that long after. Back then I used to have Grand Prix buffets at home with motorsport friends like Sergio Rinland coming round. We ran two TVs, one with BBC coverage and the other with Eurosport. The BBC TV was the one that was kept silent. :)

[@benedwards1047]

@@ChristianRThomas Actually, I'm not the racing commentator - different Ben Edwards! But yes, I do find the S2.2 fast enough - I've had faster sports cars (eg 911, F355), and a lot of modern 'normal' cars are faster, but there is something exhilarating about the Esprit that makes it so much more exciting and thrilling Plus I do believe it is one of the most stunning looking cars ever created!

[@Antspray1]

That gold is absolutely dazzling

[@P.Galore]

1979 Lotus: " Feels almost early 80's " - I spit my coffee....wondering what month?????. Beautiful design that has passed the test of time.

[@benedwards1047]

It was designed in 1971...

[@AllWheelsGood]

I really like this - in all of its '70s glory!

[@richardhintonracing]

Had an S3 for 32 years.

[@wonk1132]

Love your Lotus content.

[@Punisher9419]

The interior is glorious.

[@kristallpalats]

That is a nice color for the Esprit.

[@simono.sniper3214]

Profile is quite similar to a 70's Ferrari GT4. I had an Elan Sprint in the late 70's which nearly bankrupted me, but what a joy when it worked!

[@cliveyboyb5770]

The Elan is still the benchmark for how a small sportscar should handle.

[@m.e.345]

I still remember Popular Mechanics verdict: "It feels more like a kit car.. than a kit car." 😄 Gotta admit though.. it was one hell of a good-looking kit car.

[@robertlloyd7493]

A celebration .....Lotus is still making cars 👍

[@LMCWUE]

the cars they make now are more like fighter jets

[@alexairconditioning1581]

Thats colour is incredible

[@redline1916]

I remember when these were actually affordable in the US, and now the prices drove up to 50k average. As the saying goes, "I should've bought it when I saw it!"

[@martinboulden3540]

What a Dude - and its gold ! So cool.

[@djgoldthing7166]

Dream car in stunning condition.

[@imwithname843]

2022 lookin absolute fukin Y E S

[@psircos]

Thats a lovely looking example. I hope you'll forgive me, but when I first glanced at the notification and, until I clicked on it and it opened up, I though you were in a 308...which, in gold, seemed really odd!!!

[@PaulAndBiscuit]

So cool in that colour!

[@andrewgurney6019]

Beautiful car which is ageing so well.

[@LuisSanchez-hn1iq]

Absolutely beautiful Georgetto Guigiario master piece it’s in my 10 most beautiful cars of all time list.Great job. Like always cheers from sunny San Diego Ca.

[@cesarefiderio1634]

Bellissima vettura sportiva, bella tanto quanto la B.M.W M1.

[@Ray62_145]

What a wonderful looking and sounding car, I always wanted one of those in my younger days but I could never afford one, I remember someone once telling me the acronym for the name Lotus which was Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious, this kind of put me off of them, maybe I'll still get myself one someday, it looks really nice inside and the views out of the front and the back seem to be okay for a supercar.

[@cliveyboyb5770]

Dont believe the Hype about unreliable. Thats usually from people who have never owned one or buy a cheap one thats not been looked after properly.

[@Ray62_145]

@@cliveyboyb5770 Thanks, that's actually good to know, there's an old saying, "You buy cheap, you get cheap" in that case I might still consider getting one, one day.

[@phillipsharpe6459]

Nice car , love that velour, better than cheap plastic, 😁👍

[@r.p.3192]

The Esprit is a flawed diamond…. I owned an S1 and S2.2… drove both daily even in the snow (yesss I am a brave man…). This is a very special car but needs constant tinkering and tlc. It’s very comfi and not exactly overpowered but the chassis set up is top notch! Thank you Roger Becker and thanks Roger Moore for the 007 feeling. Do not drive it in the rain as the thing is definetely a submarine… it leaks like hell… see the Spy who loved me and you’ll see by yourself… even fish get inside…and the engine drinks a lot of oil as the valve stems have no real seals… anyway… I’d go for another one any day but where are the good Giugiaro ones out there? I think I’ll go for a S4s Peter Stevens design for my 60 birthday… watch out! Esprits are addictive…

[@ChristianRThomas]

You may not like the S4S as much. I don't. It has a much wider performance envelope and 30 to 60 is like takeoff at Heathrow but it feels a mile wide and is just not as intimate and analogue. It'll be worth trying them both out, at the very least.

[@r.p.3192]

@@ChristianRThomas Thanks for the hint. Yes, I’ve driven a Turbo SE de S4 predecessor. It’s obviously way different to the Giugiaro Esprits but could be an alternative too keep an eye on… I will soon testdrive a GT3, the ultimate 4 cylinder Esprit and then I’ll make make decision….

[@keithjackson4985]

Will always love these. Would I buy one? Absolutely not! I write part time and work a full time job. Truly do not have the time to deal with the issues that would develop? Still like them though.

[@04dram04]

These cars are remarkable becasue of how light they are for their size

[@wayneyd2]

That's a beautiful car.

[@stevesrover]

Excellent rear lights.

[@smoath]

Draylon paradise. So cool.

[@tomthompson7400]

Just one of those shapes thats instantly recognisable.