1996 Lotus V8

[Plastheniker]

Hi, in 1996 Lotus replaced the four-cylinder engines of both Esprit models (i. e. the normal S4S and the Sport 300) by their brand new 3.5 litre twin turbo V8 and called this new version simply Lotus V8, mostly omitting the name Esprit.

In 1996 or 1997 I wanted to build a replica of this very early V8 ( paint Norfolk yellow, interior charcoal with yellow piping, standard three-piece OZ-wheels)

At that time Monogram offered a kit of the similar Sport 300 that I used as a basis. Unfortunately this kit was a very crude update of an early Esprit, probably the S3. The photo on the box alone showed little resemblance with the real Sport 300.

Finally some effort was necessary. I remember the following:

• the unit front bumper/spoiler of the V8 was unique and had to be scratch-built
• the rear bumper of the V8 was the same as the one of the S4s and had to be scratch-built together with the wing below and the two sparate exhausts
• the kit parts below the doors with the brake vents (are they really called "rocker valance"?) looked odd and had to be scratch-built as well
• the kit interior was the interior of an older Esprit and had to be converted
• strangely the front deck lid of the kit had some kind of reversed scoop that no Esprit ever had

This was the result:

Edited February 11, 2014 by Plastheniker

[Kennyboy]

WOW! Great job on the scratchbuilt pieces.

I remember this kit being an absolute pain to put together!

Your build is wonderful considering what you were up against!

[beeRS]

That's a really nice job Jürgen. This is a project I have considered in the past. Its a lot of scratch building, but you've done a great job there. I guess you have glued the rear engine cover lid shut?

[sjordan2]

Beautiful.

[slusher]

Excellent build.

[PappyD340]

Outstanding job!!

[LokisTyro]

It's....beautiful!

[hjracing]

Exelent work on an wonderfull car!

[Davewilly]

Nice Lotus!

[S. Svendsen]

Great build.

[dino246gt]

I like it! Nice work and it's very unusual, I like that! I mean I've been to many big model shows, never saw one built, especially with the mods you did, and I probably never will, so your's is one of a kind! Cool!

[Jeremy Jon]

Nicely done Jurgen, looks great!

Have always loved the V8 version, most exotic of the Esprit line IMO, and good colour choice also!

[Dominik]

Nice to see you here Jürgen. LOVE this car! Hervorragend!

[Honda Fan]

Amazing! that is one beautiful Esprit V8!!

[Volvoman]

Very nice build, certainly looks different in Yellow. I had one of these kits years ago in my stash, I sold it to a friend who in turn sold it on when he realised how much work it needed!!!

[Plastheniker]

With some delay thanks for all comments.

I would like to confirm what has been said. The Esprit Sport 300 was the only poor kit among more than 20 Monogram kits I have built in the past.

If there should be a re-release I really would advise against building it unless there is a very strong interest in the subject.