Late 80s Model Question

[Sanj]

Originally Posted by sleekgt

I don't have a blind spot per se. The issue is the mirror is mounted center of the 'wing window' for symmetry (?). While the mirror looks symmetric mounted on the door, on the driver side, the black window frame is in DIRECT field of view of the mirror. On my 88, there is no way to adjust the mirror to avoid the window frame.

I noticed the later year Esprits - some have the mirror mounted 2-3" more forward, removing the black window frame out of the mirror's field of view.

Seemed like a oversight error on the factory's part for the early 88s.

My '90 SE has the same issue, at least for me -- I sit fairly far forward, however.

[carbuff]

The outside mirrors were mounted in different locations on the doors for North American and ROW (rest of world) applications. I was told by someone at LCU (Lotus Cars USA) it was a result of some US regulation.

My '88 actually had holes drilled for the ROW mirrors...you can JUST see the filled dimples in the paint if you look really closely.




And yeah....I'm proud that my Esprit is without a rear wing. I think it looks a lot "cleaner" than later examples. The contrasting rockers and valences make the early Stevens cars look sleeker too. (Right Eddie?)

[sleekgt]

Originally Posted by carbuff

[snip]
And yeah....I'm proud that my Esprit is without a rear wing. I think it looks a lot "cleaner" than later examples. The contrasting rockers and valences make the early Stevens cars look sleeker too. (Right Eddie?)

I worship at Atwell's Church of the Wingless (tm)

This is the only kind of wing I like near my car:

[sleekgt]

Originally Posted by carbuff

The outside mirrors were mounted in different locations on the doors for North American and ROW (rest of world) applications. I was told by someone at LCU (Lotus Cars USA) it was a result of some US regulation.
[snip]

It seems odd that an obscured mirror is 'legal' configuration. Here's the driver view (Left Hand Drive to be precise) on my 88 Esprit:



I don't want to relocate the mirror but reality is that appears to be the only way to get in the clear (or maybe Citroen CX mirrors, but that looks iffy).

[lotusespritse]

Probably was legal at the time and not when they switched locations.


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[carbuff]

After a while the human mind blocks out the mirror obstruction...it becomes a non-issue.



I think the A-pillars on the Esprit take some getting used to, as well.

Unless you have ever had the misfortune of driving one of THESE:

[WayneB]

I totally disagree that the louvres on the Giugiaro Turbo Esprits look "cheesey", this is the first time I have ever heard someone express they dont like them.

Miura started a styling trend for louvres that lead to the Urraco, BMW M1, Delorean and of course the Esprit using them.

Lots of muscle cars also had them, Mustang, Cuda , AMC AMX 3 etc.

The Ferrari F40 also had clear louvres that were moulded into the plexglass rear screen.

Lots of now sought after and high end good looking cars used them (Miura SV's are worth a million $)

So not cheesey IMO, just not 90's.