Ep 3. Lotus Esprit S3 (1)

In Wheeler Dealers season 5 episode 3, Mike Brewer and Edd China are on a mission to restore a rare sports car from the 1980s, the Lotus Esprit S3. The Lotus Esprit S3 is an iconic vehicle that has been featured in movies like James Bond's "The Spy Who Loved Me". The exact car that the Wheeler Dealers team are working on has been sitting in a garage for almost a decade and is in need of some serious TLC.

Mike Brewer starts off by buying the car for a good price, which is justified considering the extensive work that needs to be done on it. The car's engine hasn't been started in years, and the bodywork needs some serious attention. As with other Wheeler Dealers episodes, buying the car is just the beginning of the process.

The first task for the guys is to get the engine running. Edd China inventively uses a hairdryer to try and dry out the wet distributor cap, which is causing issues with starting the car. Once the engine is running, the guys take the Lotus Esprit S3 to the garage to start stripping it down to assess the level of work required.

The strip-down reveals that the body has a fair amount of damage which needs repairing. Edd China gets to work on the fiberglass bodywork, sanding down the damaged areas and applying filler where needed. The rest of the car requires serious repairs too, such as replacing the front shocks and reconditioning the brakes.

Despite the amount of work that needs to be done, the guys are making great progress. The bodywork is repaired, and the engine is running smoothly. The focus then shifts to the car's tires, which are in need of replacement. The original Lotus Esprit S3 wheels are rare, so the guys decide to refurbish them rather than replace them. Once they have been stripped, they are sandblasted and repainted.

The final stage of the restoration process is making sure the car looks as good as it runs. The wheels are put back on the refurbished car, the windows are replaced, and the interior is cleaned. The Lotus Esprit S3 is then taken for a test drive, showing off its sleek design and impressive power on the road.

Overall, the Wheeler Dealers team have done an excellent job of restoring the Lotus Esprit S3 to its former glory. The final result is a carefully restored classic car that looks, sounds, and drives like it did back in the 1980s. As always, Mike Brewer and Edd China have done an excellent job of bringing a classic car back to life. Fans of classic cars and restoration shows won't be disappointed with this episode.