It's all or nothing with this classic Lotus | stop motion car restoration
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ต.ค. 2024
- This video is about the up and down rollercoaster ride that is striving for a the best job you can do on a car restoration.
To support these videos visit my website https//www.georgekarellas.com
Your cinematography is out of this world - the lighting behind the clouds of dust when you were cleaning the chassis was sublime! This is much more than just a car restoration channel 😄
Yes, nice backlighting.
I think he wittingly labelled it as: How to double the time of a car restauration.
🙂
@@morphyon I'd say more than quadruple it. I had the body on by now during the restoration of my Esprit S1.
I have never heard the words "guide coat" and "chassis" in the same paint video. Amazing work.
Absolutely, I don't really understand it. Each to their own.
@@awalk5177 I would've also rather invested in a relatively thick PU based paints for durability. As you say Each to their own.
@@alessandromeyer4888 I used smooth Raptor in satin black. Works really well and still looks factory original.
@@awalk5177 generates You Tube content.
@@FridgeProductionsLtd I agree with the right amount of thinner and fine nozzle PU can be smooth as well, but its by design never as shiney as a clearcoat paint, is it? Here in europe most started to use the Mipa Protector product for the same purpose.
You're a madman, mate, but of the very best kind.
Feckin eejit you mean
This is some of the best content on the platform, full stop. Thank you.
Glad you think so!
The fastidious detail you go to, coupled with the extraordinary camera work make these videos compulsive viewing
Perfect end to st patricks day who needs the pub 👌🏻
Me 😩
@@soupclassicmotoring will you fix my Mk1 RS when you are done 🙈
@@soupclassicmotoring great content as always cant get over the attention to detail on something that will rarely if ever be seen- hats off to you george
Glad to see more Esprit content back on the channel George!
You overdone yourself in this one George,not only entertaining but also very funny!
But as i always say ,
GEOOOOORRRRRRRRRGEEEHHHHH!!!!!!! YEAHHHHHH!! LOOOOTUUUUSS!!
🤣 thannnnnnnnnkkkkss
Agree, green sounds like a good idea. Happy St. Patrick's day to you!
Same to you! ☘️
If you want to do an absolutely faithful restoration of a British car from that era you need -
(a) All work to be carried out cigarette in hand.
(b) Mug of tea sitting on the work with the odd spill for good measure.
(c) Down tools to attend Union meetings as often as possible.
Your rebuild will last longer than the original car did.
And let's not forget the sun's page 3 pin up girl poster on the wall!
Happy Paddy’s Day, lovely way to round off the evening. Fair play for going that extra step, it won’t be annoying you this way. Lovely wee 205 too
Yay! Fresh SOUP!
Yes George, it's always, "Who cares, no one will ever see it!" Countered by, "But _I_ will know it's there..."
It's worth the effort for the peace of mind & satisfaction later!
"It's all or nothing"....awesome line !
The voice-over, the music, the stop-motion and of course the glorious detail of the Esprit.
Video-art, no less.
Soup Friday!
The madness and beauty of obsession.
This is the only car on the internet I can’t wait to see done, another banger as usual man 👍🏼
🤓👌🏼
You're a man with lots of tenacity, great presentation skills and the videos are brilliant. The end product starting from now will be awsome. Can't wait to see the rebuild commence. Love Lotus, love the Esprit. 😊😊
Guide coating a chassis. A true master of your own destiny. Great work fella and happy st Patrick’s day ☘️
Hahaha, that works on every level
I'm from Germany. I always look at your videos with enthusiasm. It's really great how you do it, and thank you for the time you invest in the videos. Greetings to the people who have helped you all!
Thank you very much
British racing green is amazing but when I saw this car in orange it just made sense to me. Pretty much any random color would look great but the one that it ends up with is going to be perfect. Thanks for making these videos, the effort is unmatched!
Yeah orange is a temptress, but I’m a green man ;)
I didn't know I was also here for Husky content, but I am pleased.
Cars and canines
Love seeing the Lotus making big progress. My favourite content. Happy St. Paddy's.
I hope every diy’er TH-cam channel starts using this technique (the stop go visualization of progress) because it’s beautiful and illustrative.
Lotus Altair Green = sublime colour
Love it on the Elite, just never thought it worked on the Esprit
Awesome work George. Glad to know the only one who’s obsessed with minor detail that nobody else even notices!
The one and only Car Jesus.
Blessed to bits and back again.
Fantastic George ! Happy St Patrick's Day 🙂
Same to you, Sean ☘️
Awesome production values, thanks so much for the effort. My Uncle Chris Charles imported Morgans to Canada and once drove up to the house in one these. Pure delight😁😁
Man your videos are amazing. The patience, the cinematography, the meticulous restoration, the voice overs.
You are an inspiration now and going to be a legend in the next generation of car bloggers and video makers.
Thanks a mill 🙂 🍻
It's a great day when a new Soup video hits the internet. Your dedication to this car is outstanding George, and as for the video quality, you set a very high bar indeed. Happy St Patrick's day.
☘️
Loving the biweekly cadence!
George, I can't thank you enough for churning out new Esprit content like you've been doing recently. I massively enjoy watching this incredible car come back to life, meticulously documented like this. You're a one-of-a-kind car youtuber.
Glad you like the clips, thanks a mill
@@soupclassicmotoring by the way, I know it's still a long way off, but for the interior/seat upholstery, have you considered the tartan pattern of your work shirt? It would be a nice nod to the original yet give it the personal touch it deserves.
Hahaha that’s a nice thought
Do you know what I finally noticed on this video? The script/narration! The videos are always so captivating, and the visual content so enthralling that I never really paid deliberate attention to the words. I hope that's a great compliment! You do a superb job conveying not only the technical how-to stuff, but the reasons for decisions taken, your motivation (or lack of it!), your mood, enthusiasm, trade-offs taken, etc. And you do it all in a great, calm, colloquial, friendly kind of way as if we might discuss it at a car people's get-together or something.
It's always pure quality, George, and it looks like the subs are climbing too. Deservedly so, nobody can say you haven't put your all into it!
It’s because I was seriously rushed, I heard it myself but didn’t have time to fix!
@@soupclassicmotoring Did you reply to the wrong comment? Nothing requires fixing from my perspective! 🙂
Lol no, right comment, you hit a production nerve without meaning to. I managed to read different meaning. Kind and insightful words, Paul, thanks.
Paul if you are a paint guy in Dublin you were spotted here by the supplier the lads use 🙂
@@soupclassicmotoring Nope, I'm just a classic car enthusiast in Wicklow! In the words of Shaggy: "It wasn't me!".
on the bright side, the filler is probably lighter than the steel that used to occupy those pitted areas :) Great to see this project moving along!
Must be! Could still end up lighter than original 😅
You should hire your time-lapse machine. It makes projects so much quicker. Joy to watch this classic lotus getting the attention it deserves.
Thanks for great stories George!
Looking great. Always nice to reach the end of primer and sanding. Happy St Pats!
The patience and extra effort will be well worth it. When the project is completed and you are driving it down the road you will be thankful you did it.
My boi is back in the garage. Beers for everybody!!!
Not only a restorer, also an artist. Great work there!
🍻
The never ending chassi story is never ending 🙂Still enjoying the content of course.
It will end, or so I keep reassuring myself 😆
Pure joy! The Esprit, the cinematography and the music have met to an amazing result. Thank you George!
Ευχαριστούμε Μιχάλης
Fantastic video George. I'm currently restoring my grandfather's Lotus Eclat and know your pain. Based in Ireland myself, so hopefully we can get a picture of the two of them side by side in future! Best, Tim
Yassou George, Iv'e been following since you began working on the Merc. Just wanted to say a big thanks for bringing us along on your journey and entertaining us along the way. Excellent cinamatography. All the best.
Ευχαριστούμε Νίκο 👋🏼
Just brilliant thank you 🏴🏴
Lovely work - The theatre of the Esprit is the shape and doesn't need to be the colour - I'm thinking Harry Metcalfe's XJC green 👍
Def a nice colour
You are a new find for me.
I think you and the German greasy fingers guy must be twins, separated at birth.
I enjoy drinking beer on my recliner while you guys work yourselves to death for our entertainment!
Seriously it is wonderful to see such dedicated, articulate, skilled car guys at work.
Keep up the fantastic work!
I'd love to get an Esprit S1 to electrify..
Your yoke looks beautiful. Great work and well wear. 👍
It’s been done!
Also, the skills and practice you earned while doing all that prep and sanding and paint on the chassis meant when you do the body, it’ll be near perfect!!!
Love it. The most unique car channel on TH-cam. Something about these make me so content. I remember the first video of yours I saw, you were cutting and patching an SUV frame outside in the cold. More patch than original material. Looked like someone trying to glue together a shattered mirror. Glad to see you have somewhere inside to work now! =)
Another great video. I would like to see silver on the Esprit, I think it's a great technical colour. 👍🇦🇺
Silver is the original colour, but I don’t feel anything when I think of it in silver. It won’t be special for me 🤷🏻♂️
I worked on one of these in the ninety's, worked at a car lot and it was traded in with a Baja bug . Owner decided to donate them to a charity auction thingy as he couldn't finance them to anyone and write them off.the lotus needed brakes and carbs rebuilt and a tune up. Once I got it going and cleaned up was a really nice car but that motor . The way it sang as it screamed thru the gears , I still dream about it . I've driven Porsche and other cars that were faster, but nothing has the smooth power and sounds of this car.
Thx great job lovely video
Thank you too
Thank Jesus back to the good stuff ☺️🙂☺️☺️☺️🙂. Brilliant production. Thank you😍🥰😍😍🥰😍😍🥰🇮🇪🇮🇪🇮🇪🥰🥰😍🇮🇪🙏🙏🙏😂😂😚😚💘☺️🙂❤️💛💛💙💙🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲😊😊🥳🐔👍👍🥰🥰😍🇮🇪🙏🙏😚💘☺️☺️🙂
🍻
Love your style. thanks
Thanks a mill :)
Bmw had an awsome green color in the 70’s called agave green, you either love it or hate it. You guessed it right I love it. It looks awesome with black striping imagine the Esprit that agave green with black writing on the bottom side under the door strip saying Esprit.
Preparation, Preparation, Preparation is the key to a great job as you are finding out.
If you're leaning into green I'd be looking at those nice 1970s olive-y greens that you got on Mk1 Golfs or Fiat X1-9s. I think that would look spot-on - and the Giorgetto Giugiaro connection feels kosher and on-point ;) Excellent work as always - tantalisingly close!
Nah totally disagree , British racing green . It's the colour Colin Chapman would have gone for , and probably a colour the Esprit was originally available in , but you're have to check on that one , cause i don't know for sure .
@@mickey1299 Well I disagree but it's George's Esprit not ours so let's agree to differ :)
@@LittlePixelTM Yep totally agree , and what a sight , it's gonna be too , no matter what the colour . Gonna be a stunner .
I love the Esprit , in fact i nearly brought one myself , back in the 90's . I was put off , after i learned of the delicate nature of the suspension , and with the state of our roads ? . It's a Lotus , and i figured it would be outside my capabilities to maintain it . Though to be honest , i've not seen anything so far , that i couldn't have handled . I also heard they need constant tuning , but that didn't worry me . Be worth the work to own a gorgeous looking car .
Anyone clever enough to rebuild one , gets my vote , they really are worth the grief .
Love that attitude (both agreeing to agree and disagree at the same time, and it being worth working to maintain a car like this) def nothing difficult to the suspension, and I’m looking forward to learning how to rebuild and keep twin, twin-choke carbs tuned and balanced. That’s a skill to be proud of
As for greens and I know it's not original.
BMW:
Isle of man green
BMW:
Java green metallic.
..
If it were my project I'd paint it Java green give the Lotus a Modern twist.
Although the isle of man green would possibly be more in keeping of the 70s era.
..
If 100% originality is desired.
Then I have to agree with Mickey a colour available at the time of production..
Difficult choice.
Happy St. Paddy's day, great video as usual.
Looking forward to more of this. Detail, funnest shots/angles, pace, music… most excellent. Party on. 🎉
A flat smooth surface also prevents any moisture from pooling and/or staying in those pits so I’m so glad you got addicted to the filler for the chassis!!! Amazing work wow!!
Nailed it
Fantastic, George. Beautifully shot, funny and informative. Thank you!
you are just amazing i told you before in pauls yard (sprinter) just dont forget to fill the chassi with wax regards franz the german
I saw him last week and asked where you were. I’m going back to try get a track floor out of a bus. Hope you’re doing good, don’t be a stranger 👋🏼
Cabbage green almost whitish. Thanks for the series.
Have this urge to do it a mushy pea kind of colour, but don’t want it to look military
@@soupclassicmotoring late 90s alfa 156 came in a nice pale green color. Was thinking of that in a lighter tint. As always, thanks for those mesmerizing Sundays with stop motion goodness.
Would be so cool to build one of these into a restomod with modern and classic combined. Always loved the way these cars looked seeing them in James Bond as a kid.
They’re out there. Try find the one on air ride and with a Busso lump in it
You have to make a short out of your skit with the lads. It’s hilarious!!
Gotta say, I like what you’re doing man.
I almost think that in some ways, George, you are putting off the moment when you start to put the Espirit back together!
Have to hold my hand up for that, in the past, but I’m all about getting that chassis back up on the floor for rebuild now
Saw a lovely green turbo esprit whilst visiting my lovely friends at their garage many moons ago . Alway remember the state of the rear tyres , to state they were knackered is an understatement there was fibres coming through 😂 .
Used as intended 👌🏼
@@soupclassicmotoring I think your correct 😊.
Excellent video as always! As for the green conundrum, may I suggest Altair Green? It was available on late S1 and S2 Elites, and was on a handful of S2 and S3 Esprit and is a lovely colour. Paired with burgundy interior in particular.
@johnpeat2487 the most popular combination, but can be a bit of a green overload 🤣 there's a guy in Belgium with an Altair Green LHD Elite S2.2 with the burgundy leather and the contrast is perfect 👍
I myself looked it up. What a beautiful elegant green.
Please no Altair Green, especially with green seats. The Esprit's design requires taste.
I know it's not original.
But two options springs to mind.
BMW:
Isle of Man green
Or
BMW:
Java green metallic.
..
The Lotus would absolutely pop with the latter more contemporary feel - but would be more in keeping with the 70s era with the former colour...
@@stuartd9741 Java Green would probably be too modern looking, but as a period correct, and rare compromise Lotus' Viper Green may work. As per my previous comment.
Nothing worse (or better) than to have an expert sit over your shoulder and point out the obvious mistakes that are never seen by us amateurs. You're doing a fantastic, and patient, job. Love the orange colour... maybe the green? No, purple, yeah, purple, hmm, maybe not🤔, feck... I don't know, heliotrope?🥴
You said it, I’d have a lot more time and energy these last two weeks if the experts weren’t over my shoulder and in my ear about the work ;)
Thanks, George, for another great video.
My pleasure!
That’s amazing work by George 😊
Much awaited, much appreciated excellent work as always from you.
Graham Hill era Lotus 49 green gets my vote
I’m leaning that way 🤫
Happy St. Pat's to you Georgie! This is one of very few channels i consistently watch and i can honestly say that i'm excited for each new vid when it arrives. Your channel is growing nicely which you greatly deserve. Cheers lad from Eastern Canada!
Big love from the EU to the EC 🍻
These are always amazing. This is going to amazing once you are driving down the road!
Can't wait!
@@soupclassicmotoring I’ll be right here watching it when you do!!!
BRG looks good on ANY vehicle.
Remember when this chasis was blassted 3 years ago 😮 Can't believe how time flies
Yeah nuts! back on track now though
I doubt any other Esprit chassis has received this kind of love.
Brilliant work, your right most of the Chassis won’t be seen, but your be safe in the knowledge that you did it right and to the perfectionist who will notice it then it matters!
Thanks 👍
I like the car you're restoring, 40 years ago a friends brother was restoring a JPS S2 (world champion edition black and gold) when his father bought a burnt out S2- so they made a mould from the JPS and popped out a new body ! I also like how you are doing the job and I like the films, especially the animation. best regards.
What happened to the mold?
@@soupclassicmotoring probably went the way of all things 40 years ago . . . : ( but you're right- it would have been an asset now ; (
I can remember the John player special cigarette advert in a car magazine.
Must have been early 90s or 80s can't remember was quite young.
It said.
_A little gold makes John player special_
@@stuartd9741 people called it the JPS because of the black and gold livery with World champion logos, limited to 100 cars- Graham told me the stickers 3 each side cost him 100 pounds each- 40 years ago ! ; )
oof that 205... me gusta
Perfect timing! Love your content.. have been waiting for this video for a long time! Keep em coming man
the edits @11:40 and @11:50 in time with the sanding pad..pretty damn great.
I'm glad you went for taking (a long protracted painful) stab at giving the chassis a good finish. We get more content and you'll be that much more proud of it when it's done. A labour of love is a labour of love... and love is a mild form of insanity. This whole project is only possible with a certain amount insanity, so just give in to it. You know you want to.
Haha, thanks
Great update! If you’re going green I’d be tempted to paint the chassis in a contrasting shade of green for a bit of drama
That’s the plan: the contrasting green colour is called black 😋
the esprit looks awesome in a bronze flake with gold wheels -just saying 😊
Def does, not my style though
please do a collab series on the pug or any projects they may have, what wonderful work you all do!!
Trying to encourage the lads to make some videos, the wealth of knowledge they have should be shared 😎
Such attention to detail. Fabulous as usual George.
Brilliant. Couldn't not think... second best priest 😂😂😂
😜
I'll be happy with Soup for dinner any night of the week!
AMAZINGNES!!!
bout time you finnished that taffy
Seeing the chassis getting painted brings to mind my old 2.1L Capri. When swapping the multi leaf with single leaf rear springs, I decided I should paint the second hand replacement 2.8L springs before fitting. I wire wheeled them, sprayed them in primer, then found the black smoothrite paint I'd intended to use had dried up in the tin........... But I had a load of bright yellow smoothrite kicking around, so used that instead. This started a trend.
After that, every part I took off and refinished under there got a coat of either bright yellow, bright red, or royal blue smoothrite (Except where I had to use high temperature paint in roughly the same colours). The axle, gearbox, engine block, fuel tank, and struts were blue, the front/rear springs, track control arms, sump, diff cover, and X frame axle location kit were yellow, and the anti roll bar, engine/gearbox crossmembers, rack, rear spring shackles, and brake tin shealed were red. It all had a backdrop of a uniformly black floor pan, and personal opinion was that it looked brilliant.
Up top I'd sprayed the car a nice respectable "Kawasaki Polar white" (Because it was the brightest white I could find that had an easily replicatable paint code), but underneath it was distinctly "Fisher Price". :D
The only people who ever saw under there were tyre fitters, but every one of them mentioned that they thought it was cool. It was really easy to keep clean under there too. A jet from the hosepipe would blow 99% of the road crud off all the shiny painted surfaces. About once a year I'd jack it right up and spend a couple hours touching up where speed bumps and ill fated rabbit skulls had chipped paint off, but this was back when I was young, and would get a bit OCD about stuff like that.
I still miss that car, and would have still had it if a pretty 2.8 special hadn't turned up for unrefuseable money and turned my eye. 😣
Sounds like a Mondrian painting 😎
@@soupclassicmotoring Well, I thought "Fisher Price", but if your mind went straight to Mondrian, then I guess that this says a fair bit about the differences in our respective educations. 🤣
Love the obsessive work on this (and the touch mark stamps!). As for colour.. It's your car, but I can't imagine a Lotus any colour other than white.
That’s because every other grasshole painted theirs white 😜
Bright colours just shout out 'Look at me', but if you're driving a Lotus Esprit, anyone with good taste in cars will already be looking! Personally, I would rule out yellow, orange, pink, purple or light blue. Red is possible, as are certain shades of green, but for me the best colour would be its original white. Whichever colour you choose, I'll keep watching with deep admiration. You're doing an outstanding job.
There’s a happy place somewhere between “look at me” and “just another silver or white car”. I’m going to try and thread the needle
Love the video. Will go back over your past vids to see progress. Is it ready bad of me to think that the Lotus would look stunning with Lambo door hinges. Not for the true lovers of originality but it would be fantastically different. Keep it up.
💪🏼 (Lambo hinges sound heavy)
A larger turbo charger should overcome any extra weight. But keeping it original would be fantastic. Loving your attention to detail and I totally understand how much of a pain it is, but do it properly, do it once. I'm looking forward to seeing the finished car. No rush.
I remember these coming out. My step dad has the 2+2. A sexy 4 seater.
Painted in a modern colour lambo doors would look fantastic on the Louts.
But would be heavy.
..
We have to remember.
Chapman designed the Lotus with one thing in mind.
Driving and handling characteristics.
..
Every component was carefully considered for size and weight to maximise lightness...
Beautiful.