Fun game - ID Sputnik's new Lemons project (Page 1 of 2)

Correct! We paid more. Way more.

But!

We already have enough offers for the very charred drivetrain to sink the price balance below zero, and we didn't even check if any of the interior or computers are salvageable.

But, yeah. It is now finally past customs, 40 hours of driving later. I have it. It is very nice.

Always wanted to race one when I was a kid.

I have a prediction. From the sounds of the words you speak, I hope I'm right and I'm hoping for some crazy sputnik drivetrain swap.

Saab V4 mounted in the rear? SHOV8? Sasha on a bicycle towing it?

It looks like a bad idea and you didn't go to jail...
so there is a plus.

Also this is the shadiest, most complicated purchase I have ever been a part of.

... The customs official was using his smartass voice when he informed me that the car is a chop job, because [manufacturer] does not use pop rivets. He then proceeded to point me at the location where the body panel was supposedly "welded on".

... The dealer informed me that there is an actual part number for a roll of conventional silver duct tape.

Oh myyy... some Jimmies are going to get rustled...

...and that's great.

I guess you won't be chopping the roof off this one.

Actually, I'm curious how you're supposed to cage a fiberglass car with a backbone chassis... build outriggers from the central frame?

Esprit has a backbone. The plan is to weld spreader plates onto the central steel backbone, add a pair of U-shaped (and well-gusseted) extentions going around the driver and passenger floors respectively, and then weld the actual cage to those tubes. Additional two bars will go from outside of the floor U-things to the backbone on each side, and seats will mount directly to them. Rear main stays go into the engine cradle/suspension carrier tubes, which are of a similar size and gauge as the actual cage. Seems like the factory approved method that's been race-crash-tested many a time, and there are pictures all over the web of naked Esprit cages.

Also, factory firewall is spectacular. Everything plastic on the engine itself melted and burned off, and fiberglass behind the firewall is still nice and fresh. Like a true supercar, it is well-prepared to spontaneous combustion.

There is no fail in this plan!

One of my favorite (I'll get one someday......) Cars
Just make sure its done well!
I want to see this work.
And if you need a Driver? Hint. hint.

Manny.

My favorite racing game growing up was Lotus: The Ultimate Challenge. I loved the music, I loved the dynamic track generator, and I loved the wedgy-looking car. Has been my dream car ever since, and started my obsession with the philosophy of light weight.

Never thought I'd get to actually race one in wheel-to-wheel race. Whadduyaknow, dream hard and keep checking Ebay.

Now, if only burned-down Testarossas would be less than 20K...

It was fun sitting in customs for hours.. and having the car and my trailer impounded for a day.  I opted to skip the second 24 hour road trip to pick the car up.