Introduction

In 2009 I purchased a 1977 Lotus Esprit S1 with the intent to fully restore the car in under 2-years. My main objective was to obtain an un-butchered car with the original power plant and all original equipment, and I succeeded big time. Although it had been stored for 15 years, the previous owner had stored it well and kept all the service receipts. The car was reported to have only 18,000 original miles when I took delivery. Whether that's true I'm not sure, but it seems to match the service history and the car was in remarkable condition upon taking it apart. Things like the brake rotors (front and rear), pads, u-joints and other common wear areas showed very little use. Still, the car had deteriorated badly after sitting for so long so it was necessary to examine, restore or replace virtually everything on the car.

As I start the monumental task of taking everything apart and eventually putting it all back together again, I hope my progress as its documented here will be of help to those undertaking a similar restoration.