Ruff Ryder 6, I'd say you import the Shells, and have them trimmed locally to you, so you can decide on which option, samples and colours, thread quality and colour of the thread etc, exactly. It would possibly not be a wise thing to have them retrimmed in the UK, as you cannot see and feel the specific leather that is going to be used. When I had mine done, I had to go to the upholsterer Company, and speak to the man WHO actually would do them. And then he demonstrated to me all of the qualities of leather, thickness, colourshades, and we discussed how they should be trimmed on the shoulders (I wanted original as they were), and he also explained to me the various types of dyeing the leather, breathability, wearing etc. I had to choose thread, colour of thread, stitching type, length and much more. Well worth the time to do so. Having that part of the Work done locally, you may even specify for example a tad thinner or thicker foam to support, under the leather. They just cut it as you please.
Shipping only brackets and two shells, would be a bit lighter too. As fas as I know, SJ still sell them. You may call for example PNM or some of the other retailers of parts, and ask if they have a second hand original set (Sport300 or GT3).
If you just buy empty Shells, you easily have the option of having the seat backs painted to your liking. SJ even offer an extra layer of carbon on the seatbacks. Very nice
That's what I would do in such situation.
As for the corbeau A4 seats, they are fairly different seats from the racing bucket seats that Lotus used in the Sport300 and later on the GT3 as an optional sports seat, in revised shape.
They are comfortable seats, which are reclining, right? And they don't offer good leg support on the sides (bolsters). I'd say the Recaro you have are better. The combination of seat material and bolsterwear pad material, sewn together, often do not last long, and will not suit your Esprit very well, unless retrimmed.
At least go try them out in a shop, before deciding. And if you go for them, make sure you actually have enough room inside your Esprit, in Width, length and vertically. Some seats are "fatter" so, that once installed on brackets, they take too much of the headspace.
If what you search is more support, firmly grapping your torso and legs, you should try to find an Esprit owner locally to you, WHO have the Sport300 seats (or copies) or the GT3 seats.
I've sat in the Elise seats, and they are okay, but not at all like the Sport300 and the GT3 seats. I feel they lack leg support and hip support. Instead they are made for the Elise, and that incorperates parts of the interrior as a kind of support. Just my two-pence of course. Others may have a different view on this.
These seats:
https://www.z1motorsports.com/interior/omp-trs-race-seat-p-9960.html
offer a LOT more support for hard driving, looks etc, than the A4, but I think they may be a tad too big for installation in the Esprit. And looks a bit too racy. And they Wear rather fast (the material used). I know, because I used a somewhat similar set from Recaro in a race car. Your late model 2001 Esprit offer a bit more headroom and Width on the floorpan, but still, one should be very carefull in the dimensions. Mostseats are too high and too wide for the Esprit.
All in all, I'd go for the Sport300 copy option and have them supertrimmed by a local upholsterer. Will suit your Esprit MUCH better and they fit. You can have them emboss a logo or something on the headrest as well. Or have the special sewing patern from the final edtion made as well, or something else.
Here's a Picture of a pair of Elise seats. Speaks for itself. As it may be seen on the Picture, the under leg support, simply the length of the seatbase, is very short, not offering very much support, which in turn can make the driver tired too early. But they had to be that short, and low on the bolsters, for occupants to be able to get in and out of the Elise, so a natural explanation.
Kind regards,
Redfox.