After seeing ad and corresponding with owner. Trip arranged to Bury Road Garages in Hemel Hempstead to view the Esprit, flights booked for Luton for myself and dad. Very early flight down with my dad to Luton, almost missed the plain but made it and John picks us up in his Jenson Interceptor that had he had converted using a 740i chassis and running gear, a bit weird but very cool to boot.
We get there and Esprit comes into sight - wow – car looks even better than in the pictures. Bright azure blue, very low and crazy wide to boot. Car starts fine – idles pretty well considering – engine bay looks grubby but reasonably well sorted. Car seriously stripped out with plastic screens all round, including the windscreen! Spacing of pedals seemed fine and quickly found a nice driving position. Gear stick seems pretty notchy and lift reverse always a pain but less so for a track-only car. John Hazzard shows us around the car and the huge lift of modifications (see spec list). Car feels like it has a history and a charm from 10 years worth of racing.. which it does. I’m in nostalgia city here– especially when I see former racing pics of the car in previous racing liveries. Exit all objectivity in buying this car!
Trade plates on and we head out for a quick test drive – turbo spools up and bam.. we’re off.. Car feels very very fast although it’s hard to be objective from the pax seat. Car seems to run well, no sign of pinking or under fuelling. Boost is very progressive and John felt there may be a leak somewhere in the system, possible manifold or turbo gasket? Lastly John shows me the trailer – it looks like I’ll be able to source cheap trailer after all. It’s long enough and low enough for the Esprit – requiring only simple modifications.
Documents are signed and papers exchanged – next stop is to arrange delivery. John drops us back off in the Jenson, we catch something to eat and catch the return flight to Edinburgh. I’m bankrupt but I’m ecstatic…
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