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Daniel Bennett's 1986
Daniel Bennett from Riverside, CA, USA owns a 1985 Turbo Esprit in Black with natural leather interior.
Model:
Turbo Esprit Year: 1986 Colour: Black Interior: natural leather interior Driving Style: Fast Miles per year: 10,000+ Owned Since: Jan 2003 Purchase from: Private Sale Serviced at: Viking Motorsports in Costa Mesa, California Other Cars: 1955 Chevrolet Previous Lotus': None Why an Esprit: I had always wanted one of these, but figured I could never afford one. I had plans for a modified 55 Chevrolet that had been in my family since I was 5, to modify it with modern drivetrain suspension etc., until I found out it would be better (cheaper) to buy a new car already equipped with such things, that would probably turn out better anyway. So I looked at Nissan 300zx twin turbo, Nissan Silvia turbo, Mitsubishi 3000vr4, and Toyota MR2 turbos, I figured a Lotus would be too much for me, and didn't bother checking them out until I found my 86 Turbo. I had only seen a handful of Lotuses at this point, I asked enough people and read enough books that I considered myself enlightened enough to finally buy it. I'm glad I did. Upgrades: Upgraded to larger water cooled turbo. Metal Clutch line. Momo steering wheel, Nakamichi stereo. Problems: The headlight switch melted itself together, cost only $40 to replace (JAE motorsport) and I did the work. Car died at stoplights, about a week after I got it, I checked the electrical grounds and it has stopped doing that. The windsheild washer switch exploded one day (unprovoked) I was able to reassemble the pieces, which were scattered about the floor of the car.
The car was dying at stop lights and backfiring badly on decelleration. My mechanic found that the fuel metering valve was clogged, and that several vacuum hoses were rotted. The car runs better than ever, and I have more low end power. She is going back to the mechanic soon to repair a few small oil leaks and the belts, and I am about to replace the brake pads myself.
Info: See Below
It's a 1986 Lotus Turbo Esprit, black with gold pinstripe, full leather suit inside. This is a US spec car with black bumpers and bosch Kjetronic fuel injection. It was apparently sold new in North Carolina, moved to New York, then California, which is where I found it. I paid $10,000, it had 40,000 miles on the odometer. I liked the 86 and 87 models because of the bodystyle, and the introduction of fuel injection. It really is a change from my previous cars, (I traded a 1998 Camaro for it, and I still have a 1955 Chevrolet,) but it is different in a very good way.
Futre Stuff: Performance tune the engine (bigger valves, better camshafts, pistons, etc.), chargecooler, compressor bypass valve, maybe a conversion to Electric Fuel Injection. Of course, all that is if I ever get rich.
I thought about replacing the wheels, but none suit it other than stock, really, especially with the gold pinstripe. This is a daily driver. I love this thing, only drawback is the drive through window at Carl's Junior (fast food restaurant) can't see me, I have to knock on the window for them to give me my food :)
The car had a new transaxle, and all suspension components replaced before I got the car. I've made several trips across the state, its a pleasure to drive.
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