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Jonathan Hackford's 1976

Jonathan Hackford from London, UK, owns a 1976 Esprit S1 in White, with a Tartan, green and orange interior.

Model:

S1
Year: 1976
Colour: White
Interior: Tartan, green and orange
Driving Style: Normal
Miles per year: 1,000
Owned Since: 2014
Purchase from: Stocks Coachworks
Serviced at: GST Performance
Other Cars: Porsche 928, Mercedes 280SL, Fiat 130 Coupe, Essex Esprit
Previous Lotus': Elise S2, Elise 111R
Why an Esprit: I grew up in Norwich and have always loved cars. In 1976/7, my dad took me to a Lotus Open Day at Hethel and I have two abiding memories of my visit. Firstly, I burnt my knee on the exhaust of one of the Lotus formula 1 cars that had just been out on track. Secondly, I saw a brand new S1 in the flesh for the first time. From that day on, I promised myself I'd own one one day and finally a fair few years later, I've achieved it!
Upgrades: No upgrades - I wanted the car to be as original as possible to the day it left the factory.
Problems: Nothing so far, but it's early days!
Info: See below

 

'I purchased 0190G from Stocks Coachworks in May 2014. Having been off the road since 2002, Stocks then spent 7 months restoring the car. The aim was to make it as authentic as possible in presentation to the day it first left Hethel in December '76. Mechanically, everything underneath has been replaced bar the chassis itself and the engine has been fully re-commissioned. It has been re-sprayed in Monaco White, having originally been a white gel coat model.

       

The interior has been completely re-trimmed with original tartan upholstery and orange carpets courtesy of Fulchers, who also supplied a direct replica of the original '76 door mirror. The work was completed in November 2014 and I have to say, I'm one very happy owner.

Pictures from March 2015

    


Pictures from September 2016
These shots were from the TLF International Lotus Day at Brooklands in May. I entered my car into the concours event and it won Best in Class - the award was presented by Mike Kimberley, who was also head judge. I also took the opportunity to have the car photographed with Concorde. A fantastic day!

  

A few more images for my page - I took the Esprit to the Lotus Festival at Brands Hatch in August and met up with two fellow S1 owners, Fabian with his Spy Who Loved Me specced White model and Jon Robert's beautiful orange car. The last two images are of my car the evening before the Brooklands event in May.

    


Pictures from Absolute Lotus Magazine Shoot (july 2018)
My car was part of an Esprit group test cover shoot for the July/August issue of Absolute Lotus magazine. My S1 came a close second! Pictures of the shoot attached

September 2018
My S1 was part of the official Lotus display of ‘One Of Every Model’ at their 70th Anniversary Event at the Lotus Factory, Hethel on 29th September 2018. All display cars were also allowed four laps on the test track in front of the crowds in the stands.

   
 


track images by Practical Classics

July 2019
Lotus contacted me in May 2019 to ask if I'd be happy to have my S1 displayed at Eon Productions 'Bond In Motion' exhibition in London. Eon were looking for a white Esprit S1 to cover for Wet Nellie (the submarine Esprit), that is normally on show, as she was embarking on a four month world tour. Naturally l said yes and my S1 will be part of the exhibition from June to September!

 

jonathan@jonathanhackfordpr.com

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