			The Lotus Esprit is currently the road weapon of choice. Left you see a hairy machine with wings all over the back of it. That's a '95 S4 model with air to water chargecooling and 275bhp. The blue car in its shadow is my '85 N/A S3. However, the N/A S3 is a fine esprit - totally alive with no power steering and no turbines to spin up, and a wild but sharp induction roar from twin sidedraught carbs.

PERFORMANCE
Engine:
2.2 Litre 4 cyl 16 Valve, mid mounted .

Max power: 160 bhp
Top speed (Lotus) : 140 mph
0-60mph: 6.5 secs

160bhp doesn't sound a lot, but it's a real lightweight, it always finds a way to overtake anything in it's path. more>

ON THE ROAD
Unusual shape, width and lack of rear visibility can be intimidating.

A few miles later it invites you in. Not the easiest thing to drive due to a tight footwell and heavy clutch and gearshift, but nothing steers like this. Point it where you want to go. To get there sideways just point a bit harder. You can't upset the handling, it has so much grip it's hard to find bends where you can see far enough. more>

HISTORY 3
Bought in 2000 from my father, he bought it in '96.

Had a bottom end rebuild in '99, front suspension, brakes and steering were rebuilt in 01. The wheels were refurbished in 02. It's about as good an S3 as they come now.

The future intention is to fit modified head and cams (now in my bedroom) and get the engine set up to see 200bhp and make the car even better.more>

LINKS & BITS
Will be a video link here.

SJ Sportscars do all the maintenance.

Lotus Club ..more>



		2002©