This Lotus Esprit looks great, but is it straight?

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ก.ค. 2024
  • There's not point doing any more work on this Esprit chassis unless it still fits under the body of the car. Here's hoping months of work didn't cause new problems.
    Check out my website for more info www.georgekarellas.com
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ความคิดเห็น • 203

  • @300DBenz
    @300DBenz 3 ปีที่แล้ว +109

    You’re putting more effort and care into that frame than the shed dwellers at Lotus ever did!

  • @moonface978
    @moonface978 3 ปีที่แล้ว +115

    The editing style with the stop go animation and the laid back feel, make this build stand out from others

    • @michaelmitchell1496
      @michaelmitchell1496 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      David, I agree. And I like you expressed that in twenty words.

    • @stuartd9741
      @stuartd9741 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      Exactly. And he's doing it on a budget without fancy workshop or big sponsors..
      It's all about his skill.

  • @grayfool
    @grayfool 3 ปีที่แล้ว +21

    Well, nobody can accuse you of cutting corners. You have an incredible commitment to this car. The first time you drive it down a twisty road will be one of those "YEEESSSSS!" moments that only happen once or twice in a lifetime.

    • @derekchauvinisahero2010
      @derekchauvinisahero2010 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      At this rate ... yeah once or twice !

    • @rpmotorwerks
      @rpmotorwerks 3 ปีที่แล้ว +5

      When he cuts corners he literally welds them back on.

  • @StanleyKubick1
    @StanleyKubick1 3 ปีที่แล้ว +14

    this has to be one of the most tense 4 minute intro on youtube

  • @mannye
    @mannye 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Jesus. What a rollercoaster! From the joy of seeing the pat on the back, and actually getting emotional about everything lining up, to the anxiety of watching the front suspension being dismantled this is one of the best car nerd shows ever.

  • @timothymull6480
    @timothymull6480 3 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    Most impressed with your garage engineering to maintain alignment of all the frame features! Amazing work!

  • @davidtraynor8075
    @davidtraynor8075 3 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    Lotus designers in 1975: "won't that area of the suspension become a water trap and could corrode?"
    Designer No2 : "Don't worry, no one will see it for about 34 years, you never know it might employ some one."

  • @viatronmac
    @viatronmac 3 ปีที่แล้ว +15

    I haven’t been this quick since........never mind

  • @curm1778
    @curm1778 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    You're suffering with this as only a perfectionist can suffer. From the looks of that box end you need a new one. Its rusted to heck. Just bite the bullet, grind it off and build a new one. Then maybe bed-liner it and everything that'll have water floating in it or figure out a way for it to shed water. You're doing a great job. My little daughter, now 11 months old, still loves listening to you voice over your build, even with the odd cuss here and there. We just won't mention this to her mom, eh?

  • @Kenprints
    @Kenprints 3 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    The build channel other channels should be measured against - top class

  • @misterdobbs
    @misterdobbs 3 ปีที่แล้ว +10

    tough break with the rust surprise, but I believe in you, George!

  • @callummunro5400
    @callummunro5400 3 ปีที่แล้ว +54

    Still can’t get over that you can just pick the chassis up like that

    • @Kenprints
      @Kenprints 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Some say he has superhero powers

    • @subwooferbone
      @subwooferbone 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      They added all the lightness they could when they designed it. Modern day car makers take note!

    • @FVBmovies
      @FVBmovies 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

      @@subwooferbone Lotus barely made money. Not to dismiss as car not being good or iconic. Today's car makers are about profit margins and increasingly safety standards.

    • @doriangray2020
      @doriangray2020 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      You can hoist most chassis. Get to the gym bruh.

    • @D3nn1s
      @D3nn1s 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      @@doriangray2020 u havent seen an 70s ford chassis lol

  • @stuartmatthews8187
    @stuartmatthews8187 3 ปีที่แล้ว +13

    I liked this 1 second into watching. Because I know it will be great

  • @graham6229
    @graham6229 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Your video production is by far the best on TH-cam.

  • @joannaatkins822
    @joannaatkins822 3 ปีที่แล้ว +21

    You've done very brave and very good work as always. I'm extremely impressed with your dedication to quality over quantity, which shines through in your production quality and fabrication methodology.

  • @SB-vb8ch
    @SB-vb8ch 3 ปีที่แล้ว +25

    Always remember, it's just sheet steel which was made in a glorified shed. All reconstructable & a millimeter here or there won't make any difference, nothing fabricated is ever on nominal, certainly not at production rate anyway.

  • @andersjjensen
    @andersjjensen 3 ปีที่แล้ว +11

    Oh my.. those last clips where you opened the hornets nest. That was SO much worse than it looked when you first explained what the problem was.... Aye... take a break and regroup! Rushing this job could very well make it take 10 times longer than if you keep your wits about you and remind yourself why patience is considered a virtue! :P

    • @paul10018
      @paul10018 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Same - initially I was thinking, doesn't look THAT bad, surely... then, oh my!

  • @nathanrice3890
    @nathanrice3890 3 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    This guy is going full hard mode on this restore. I hope he finishes it.

  • @andrewmarkland9411
    @andrewmarkland9411 3 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    That's a very brave grinder you've got there George. Top stuff.

  • @Anderzander
    @Anderzander 3 ปีที่แล้ว +12

    Great video ! Please put the guard on your grinder though George! I’ve seen some horrible accidents - and it’s just better to be safe.

  • @olagsanger7436
    @olagsanger7436 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    This Esprit will become the best ever made, I reckon. Exciting!

  • @walterpfannschmidt8449
    @walterpfannschmidt8449 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Amazed to see the quantity of rust coming out of that inaccessible place. Proves that you were totally right to go that deep. Must be rewarding.

  • @esolthailand7439
    @esolthailand7439 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    No wonder they handle and go so well. One man can comfortably lift the entire chassis solo and three or four guys can just walk around with the whole body. Great video as always. Your patience astounds me. Massive thumbs up 👍

  • @mertozyurek7169
    @mertozyurek7169 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    best video mimicks ever never, love this channel!

  • @94Di
    @94Di 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    I felt like as you are keep saying in most of the videos... Because I didn't watched the videos from the playlist, they were randomised so few episodes from beginning and few from thr end. I take it all again from the beginning. I have to tell you, Soup, you are the best entertainer when it comes to restoration. Jobs done well, and on budget. 6 days in the row and I've arrived on this one. Still few to go but the journey was astonishing. I can relate so many episodes on my life. I have a w203 C220 Cdi, and when I brought the car was in a shameful condition. Day in and out, i keept working on it. The interior is deteriorated and the body its slowly being eaten by rot. I don't have a space or a garage to sort the probs, and definitely not the budget to keep going to the mechanic. So what I did until now, was simply in the parking lot. Im at a stop now, but when I ll get some money, I can't wait to get under it and do some more work. Brakes, suspension, filters, new oil and coolant, and so on. You sir deserve all the respect. You made me want to keep this "classic" and keep working on it no metter what. It has 320k kms on dash. I still used it as a daily. Thanks for ur videos. U became my favourite mechanic. I used to eatch wheeler dealers, and car sos but those are tv series. and the work it's not so well specified. So again Soup Classic Motors, keep doing what you're doing and be safe and healthy. When I'll return to UK I really wish to pay u a visit. Untill then, All the Best!

  • @andrewgrace4410
    @andrewgrace4410 ปีที่แล้ว

    A pure pleasure watching your videos, your craftsmanship is remarkable

  • @graemekeenan1663
    @graemekeenan1663 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I am mesmerised by this ! brilliant work excellently filmed

  • @battyboomfatty
    @battyboomfatty 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Wow! Excellent work George. I especially liked the jig making. Really looking forward to seeing you tackle the repair as well

  • @kjeldlarsen912
    @kjeldlarsen912 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Just love your videos thank you so much for your efforts putting it together 👍🚘

  • @davegibson2914
    @davegibson2914 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    You’re a legend George

  • @MarkGarth
    @MarkGarth 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Always good to see another video, and as usual, it doesn't disappoint. Best wishes.

  • @antrax8394
    @antrax8394 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Thank you George for helping a complicated day get better. Great work as usual!!

  • @patfilice
    @patfilice 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Fantastic work

  • @charlesbourgois4571
    @charlesbourgois4571 3 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Good on you! What a fantastic result.

  • @tomanycooks
    @tomanycooks 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    mate, i really love this build and your editing style. awesome to watch. thanks

  • @jamesmcgee7723
    @jamesmcgee7723 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    "The pat on the back says it all". It sure does George. Especially when you're an amateur getting it from a professional. Great work! Keep it coming.

  • @sdstube8061
    @sdstube8061 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    looking forward to the next one.. your style is class

  • @hog-boy-8843
    @hog-boy-8843 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Keep up the good work, we're all behind you.

  • @majormojo
    @majormojo 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    So satisfying to see that body back on the chassis. Your camera and editing work is pure art! Thank you

  • @davefoy1
    @davefoy1 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    The craftmanship is fantastic fair play!

  • @jakobvejlby
    @jakobvejlby 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Getting jiggy with it!
    I applaud you for your 'Channel' approach to details.
    The choice of preservation rather than replacing complete sections (if possible at all) shows dedication to the story as being as important as the end goal.
    Cheers Mate
    🇩🇰

  • @rivenmotors7981
    @rivenmotors7981 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Tremendous joy in watching you work there, George. Best regards, dude.

  • @htownblue11
    @htownblue11 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    By far the most entertaining rebuild on TH-cam right now.

  • @garethbird4259
    @garethbird4259 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Another amazing video George! Your attention to detail is incredible. A true inspiration to all us bodgers out there!

  • @phildem414
    @phildem414 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Good job 🏅 Encouraging millestone for sure!

  • @mathewjones5520
    @mathewjones5520 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Lovely work georgie, weldings coming on very well

  • @jn8092
    @jn8092 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Refreshing to see a TH-camr clean up after his day in the workshop. As always George, you’re nailing it!

  • @RossWalkerrosswlkr
    @RossWalkerrosswlkr 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    i love all the creativity and style you put into the video production, never usual to see it on car restoration videos. it's awesome and something genuinely unique.

  • @spudmurphy764
    @spudmurphy764 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Love the stop-animations in your video - very imaginative and not something I've seen before on TH-cam with this kind of work.

  • @robertreavley7145
    @robertreavley7145 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    One product for rust! This is exactly what it says it is!!! M I R I C L E P A I N T ! ! !
    It’s a encapsulating paint! And after removal of heavy, prep it and 2 coats of the stuff later! You have a repair that will N E V E R rust again!!!
    Bold statement! Yes it is! BUT it’s a fact I’m glad I found!!
    Good luck! Love your approach and editing!
    Keep going!!!

  • @strugglyboys
    @strugglyboys 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Always such an enjoyable watch. Making bold and brave moves there... impressive is an understatement

  • @Qgal5kap123
    @Qgal5kap123 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Well done mate! Well done!

  • @kieransammon666
    @kieransammon666 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    You are getting there my friend 👌

  • @Wauto-R
    @Wauto-R 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I admire your persistance! Even after an evening of tinkering on my own project cars I still enjoy watching this :)

  • @briangomm8391
    @briangomm8391 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Beautiful work and perseverance great to see steady progress. Cinematography is spot on, no dramas, can just feel the desire to do your best 👍

  • @maxmoughal5183
    @maxmoughal5183 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Fantastic stuff mate great to see its all still straight

  • @shhhdontshout
    @shhhdontshout 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Jusr realized u already exceed 100k subs! Congrats! May future be brighter for you and your channel.

  • @LoveMini
    @LoveMini 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Your work inspired me to start my Mini channel, cheers bud, keep it up!

  • @OnTheEDge2011
    @OnTheEDge2011 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I love this vids!!!!!! best channel ever

  • @joaosollarimatos9339
    @joaosollarimatos9339 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Aaaah the classic intro came back!
    😚👌
    Bravo Commendatore

  • @moontaequipped663
    @moontaequipped663 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Really enjoy your videos 😀👍

  • @bastogne315
    @bastogne315 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Hello!! I'm very happy 🥰 in my nappy too, watching this, much. The good thing about inaccessible rust spots and having to fix them is it'll make this programme run longer.

  • @andyplage6590
    @andyplage6590 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    As always Excellent editing and Dedication to eliminate any visible damaged areas where Rust has caused delamination a Finger sander would be immensly helpfull in areas like this

  • @ZerodJailbreak
    @ZerodJailbreak 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    If there's a person who'll get that through, it's you George. Stay motivated and well surrounded as you seem to be.
    And take my digital pat in the back for all your awesome work.

  • @stevendalton259
    @stevendalton259 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Happy camping George.

  • @youremostwelcome
    @youremostwelcome 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Your approaches to a repair of a detailed/involved section of the chassis like this are so thoughtful and considered. VERY satisfying to watch. I'm channelling it as I work on my ground-up Alfa 105 restoration!

  • @Rombbb
    @Rombbb 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Perseverance wins the day !

  • @peterfryer9615
    @peterfryer9615 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    awesome work both with the camera and your hands keep it up

  • @hydorah
    @hydorah 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great result on the test fit of the body! All your care and attention has paid off! Loving the elevated care and attention that nasty front section repair is getting with that hand fabbed multi jig setup! Quality stuff, superbly delivered!

  • @Jedermeister
    @Jedermeister 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Good Job George! Keep at it mate, you're going to have a cracking motor at the end of this.

  • @franciscopereiradasilva5543
    @franciscopereiradasilva5543 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I would just watch this for hours and hours...!

  • @chrismoller01
    @chrismoller01 ปีที่แล้ว

    scary, awesome and ballsy! .... respect! As for keeping your head, and documenting all this with panache .... not sure where to begin!

  • @emreengin2331
    @emreengin2331 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    To be honest the Range Rover was in so much worse condition in terms of rust. You having saved that one makes the Lotus suspension rust look like piece of cake. Massive respect.

  • @2H80vids
    @2H80vids 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Finding rust 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 was a bit of a kick in the nuts Paul but there's another way to look at it: good job you spotted it before you put the chassis back on.😁

  • @gator577
    @gator577 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    That shot of you guys lowering the body on the chassis around 3:57 was really clever. Gave off all sorts of a spaceship docking vibes!

  • @syncrosimon
    @syncrosimon 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Love a Quechua Tent, looks like a french only model. Great video as usual. 👍👍👍

  • @mattcutajar8757
    @mattcutajar8757 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I don't even wait to watch the whole video before dropping a like anymore!

  • @adogmcdizzle
    @adogmcdizzle 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Brilliant as ever

  • @birdmanhoskins5129
    @birdmanhoskins5129 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Kudos to you. You’re a far braver man than me, cutting into the suspension mounting points to deal with the rust.

  • @markrutlidge5427
    @markrutlidge5427 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Good luck mate.

  • @sahs3811
    @sahs3811 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Nice soundtrack and nice editing, thank you 😊 PS nice content too!

  • @malcolmyoung7866
    @malcolmyoung7866 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Was wondering when you were going to tackle those front suspension issues, George. Gotta love the ‘jig’ making hoping you can resolve the rust without too many more issues. Finally on a tenuous ‘suspension’ link your hoovering at the end had me thinking about Freddie Mercury and that certain video of him hoovering up... in his (probably) very own ‘suspenders’. Sorry about that.. as punishment I now have that song on ‘loop/auto replay’ fir the rest of the day... Keep at it and ‘Good Luck’ to yoursel’...😎

  • @kmet2000
    @kmet2000 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I like what you do. First of all - no cutting corners policy. The only way is all the way :-)

  • @kululv
    @kululv 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

    just so amazing over and over!

  • @k20elise
    @k20elise 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    Long time no see. Project creep = burn out?
    Loved watching this one... hoping completed!
    Keep up the amazing work 🙏

  • @grantjanka197
    @grantjanka197 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thanks for saying my name right George!

  • @iancrawford2822
    @iancrawford2822 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    There's no escaping the fact that this latest work is necessary, good call taking your time over it!

  • @tomblatch1594
    @tomblatch1594 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Tough deal George! Good on you for getting it right though, and going through the pain. Just imagine the satisfaction when it's done, knowing it's bang on correct. Your OCD is a virtue!
    Oh, and welcome return of the intro tune - it's a corker !

  • @geoffbuck6865
    @geoffbuck6865 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    The quality of the production of these videos is in my opinion remarkably high, especially the excellent stop-motion sequences. Well done sir and thankyou...

  • @tomaszmarud6736
    @tomaszmarud6736 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Amazing job!!!

  • @larrysorenson4789
    @larrysorenson4789 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I wish there were the bucks to send the body to Chip Foose so that his artists could take it to total perfection and send it back to you. I’d love to do it myself but appear to have achieved a vintage designation precluding doing this wonderful work. Carry on lad’s. And be quick about it! Larry in Arizona.

  • @LuisSanchez-hn1iq
    @LuisSanchez-hn1iq 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    George ur the best !! Eres un chingon !

  • @pzakkly3976
    @pzakkly3976 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    But I’m a say all my favorite cars it’s always been a dream car of mine and the way you are restoring it it’s above and beyond with the factory did great job

  • @phillipwoods2847
    @phillipwoods2847 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    amazing skills

  • @David-auslinz
    @David-auslinz 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Cool! You now have over 100k subscribers!

  • @granblogismo
    @granblogismo 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Rather you than me! Oh wait 😭 ! Might have to farm out this part of my restoration, fancy doing another? 😬 Great video as always, gives people a realistic view of what to expect taking on a project like this and feels like camaraderie for those already stuck in, thanks!

  • @ThrottleStopGarage
    @ThrottleStopGarage 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Well, that turned out - never doubted it for a minute! I'm sure that your welds are just as sound as the factory ones.

  • @amunarjoh
    @amunarjoh 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    The logical question following the restoration of the Lotus is; what's the next step? Building your own design from scratch?
    You have the proper attention to detail, the required knowledge of mechanical design as well as the eye for esthetics.
    I hope the answer to that second question would be; YES.... ! Looking forward to your design...!
    Have faith!

  • @seanbrosmith3236
    @seanbrosmith3236 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Bestest restoration videos...congrats. I’m putting together a ‘77 S1 myself. I will be finishing the interior next week, so I’m a bit ahead of u. Lmk if you’d like to see pics

  • @joannaatkins822
    @joannaatkins822 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    The fact that I'm here and commenting before Mr. Ronald Finger is astounding. If you don't know who that is, search for Finger Prints now, he's just as good as our mad host here, and is almost finished on a similar project

    • @andersjjensen
      @andersjjensen 3 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      It was his shout out to George that brought me here back then. I'm actually kinda anxious about the next (and final) episode in the Fiero series...