Lotus Esprit Turbo SE (1:25 or 1:24?, Orlik 1/2016)

[Sebastian01]

Hello,

My next model is the Lotus Esprit Turbo SE (Orlik, 1/2016).
There is one promising building report on Kartonwork.pl, but unfortunately not finished. The author in that report stated, based on measurements, that this model is not in 1:25 scale, but 1:24, which for me, for some reasons, is better.
The wheels in the model are the same front and rear (diameter), and they differ only in width. On the Internet, I found information that the tires were 195/60R15 front and 235/60R15 rear and this would match the model in terms of rims, but not the wheels as such, but there is also information that they were 215/50ZR15 front and 245/50ZR16 rear. Interestingly, you can find photos of the vehicle confirming both sources, plus many other tire sizes. I like the version with larger rear wheels better, and I designed them as well, because I traditionally make wheels in my own way. Tire treads that can be seen in sports cars, I would not make, so I made more traditional treads, based on a pattern found on the Internet.
In addition, I will make quite significant changes in this model. The first is to move the steering wheel to the "right" side, because the design shows the British version . The second change is the open door, which will be difficult as the project does not provide for this at all and actually makes it quite difficult. We'll see what comes out.
Below are some photos of the work done so far. Wheels (tires still unpainted - weekend was too short) and some parts of engine.

[Michael Mash]

It will be fun watching you build and improvise this Lotus.
Already, the wheels and engine look good.

[Siwi]

Does the kit also come with parts for an RAC breakdown truck? That is usually where a Lotus and other British sports cars can be found

[Sebastian01]

No, it doesn't. Can it be that bad? I've always loved this car. Please don't destroy my Lotus Esprit dreams

[SteveB]

The thing with Lotus' (Loti??) is that they were built very light - one of the reasons for their great performance. However, it could lead to 'problems', especially with things like interior trim, apparently.

Build quality was sometimes an issue too. I once knew a chap who drove all the way from Durham down to London in his Esprit for a friends wedding. He got there no problem, but driving around London, the gear stick came out in his hand!

Years earlier a neighbour had a Lotus Europa. Apart from finding it a bit fragile, he carried a bag of sand in the boot (at the front) to stop the front end from lifting at speed.

Nice job on those wheels by the way - they look great.

[MacSongLi]

Great start on the rims and tires. The raised white letters on the tired look fantastic. Good luck with the rest of the project.

Well done!


Gary

[Sebastian01]

Michael, thank you.

SteveB, thanks for this interesting information. It's a bit scary

Gary, thank you. I considered white letters because I like how they look, but for some reason they can't be white. Anyway, if they were to be white, I would stick them on already painted tires.

[modelperry]

I built this one. Mini report here: Orlik Lotus Esprit

I'll be following your progress.

Greg

[Sebastian01]

Greg, thank you very much. A lot of photos in your report. I will be looking into it while building my Lotus.

[Sebastian01]

I painted the tires and put the wheels together.