Lotus Factory tour 1984, mainly Esprit

Journey back in time to Hethel, in 1984. A factory tour. Mainly on the Esprit. See how they made these great cars. This is the full version, from two parts I linked and edited the start. If only I could go back in time.

[frankpineda]

I owned 3 lotus 77 S1, esprit, Eklat and elite, I love them all, I still miss them to this day, they are the best cars ever

[TheSimonhammond]

1980's+synth music+wedge shape+pop up headlights. Yep it's all there.

[DrPittenstein]

Or maybe: 'there's only one standard - perfection.'

[spinjennies]

I actually own an 84 Esprit Turbo. This is truly fascinating. Thanks for posting!

[matthewgodwin]

Grew up watching Dianna Rigg driving an Elan in the Avengers (though it was the black leather that did it for me really) and Roger Moore as James Bond in his Esprit. Lotus has had a special place in my heart ever since.

[DrPittenstein]

My favourite line is about the wiring harnesses:

'Space age research has given them outstanding reliability.'

[airindiana]

I forgot crinkly leather was an actual thing in the 1980s. Makes the car interior look like a nasty sofa from a never ending DFS sale. Ugh.

[adamothman]

i look at lotus as a porsche killer and i like that. if someone didn't have the money for a ferrari (cost isn't just the main issue theres also maintenance and insurance) then they usually look at porsches which are radioactive vw's. I would rather have the lotus in that case

[branon]

That Lotus Elite really is a beautiful car....

[paul]

"The real test is when the new Lotus owner takes over." AKA the R&D department! I'd kill for a Giugiaro Esprit though - a timeless beauty. Still looks modern in a Gerry Anderson way ;)

[Muckyfellrunner]

Enjoyed this very much. Went on a factory tour a few years before this video. Also met Mike Kimberley a couple of times at motor shows. I was a young kid and so in awe of it all.

[klistarf]

I gotta say that i found this quite intriguing, having done a lot of work on many different Lotus' over the past nearly 20 years. It's really interesting to see where the vast majority of these vehicles where 'born'. Ok, so Lotus cars have their own unique problems/foibles, but hey, isn't it fair to say that every single marque out there does...?! Yes, i know: Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious. Lol! And yes, they have given me much stress over the years (again, as have all the different manufacturers vehicles i have worked on, and continue to work on), but i actually do have a bit of a soft spot for these little 'shits'. Ha! There really is something quite endearing about 'em... \m/ (:o)

[doorserviceofmt]

L-O-T-U-S Lots of trouble, usually serious. I fell in love with the Esprit when i saw one featured on the cover of Road & Track magazine in Jan. 1981. I bought a 93 in June of 2017 and love it!

[joebarone]

this video reminds me of my dads old porn movies Behind the green door

[johnwh]

As is the passing Austin Allegro Estate passing in virtually the end sequence, one of its handbrake cables dragging on the road beneath it!

[SachiGortchi]

LOVE the whole style, especially the nice building & entrance; would have been so smart to keep some bits & pieces alive; to display experience & tradition; regrettably all companies renew everything -- including logos & letters -- sad (and unsmart)

[lotusman]

Yeah, well how do you think I got my name? Now owned 40 years, a Lotus Elite, second gen, 4 seater with American running gear all aluminum V8 (same weight, 2250 lbs ) but much more robust and powerful.
Chapman was introduced by Dan Gurney to Ford, and fairly quickly the two together, a Ford V8 and a lotus race chassis were the fastest in the land for a good spell before C. Chapman died and it was a Ford V8, in the Lotus that really put Lotus on the map.

The winning-est F1 car, the Lotus 72 with the Ford Cosworth power, the DFV 3.0 l, ,
And the engine (Ford DFV 3.0 ) with the most wins in F1 with 155.

I am sure the Lotus factory doesn't look too much like this video with way more modern machinery, nearly 40 years later.

[cyborgbadger]

There's only one standard. perfection. cue beardy man with clipboard.

[p.istaker]

Paint drys faster than the carousel on that machining centre.

[colinsharland-brown]

Fantastic, brings back memories when I used to visit factory every couple of weeks back in 80's.I wonder if Phil and Mel still thier .Thanks factory for many rides around test track in 300 sport L Carlton, and many others.