Lotus Eclat - 40th anniversary
Discussion
That must be one of the best looking Éclat ( and one of the last?)
When I was a kid my dad had a run of Élan then Elite and Éclat and I always remember having to hold the bonnet up and spray easy start while he turned the key to try and get the damn things started in cold damp Scottish winter!
But an Elite would have been a more fitting replacement to the HPE V/x though?!
When I was a kid my dad had a run of Élan then Elite and Éclat and I always remember having to hold the bonnet up and spray easy start while he turned the key to try and get the damn things started in cold damp Scottish winter!
But an Elite would have been a more fitting replacement to the HPE V/x though?!
The Eclat gave way to the Excel in 1982, so this 1981 car is one of the last Eclats, and it was never a big seller.
I am off to collect the jalope shortly - fingers crossed. I am bring some fresh fuel, some tools, some tape, and my RAC card, but plan only a short trip to a valeting bay and then a gingerish test blat around the lanes. I will not hammer the car until my mech has checked it out and changed the cam belt.
I am off to collect the jalope shortly - fingers crossed. I am bring some fresh fuel, some tools, some tape, and my RAC card, but plan only a short trip to a valeting bay and then a gingerish test blat around the lanes. I will not hammer the car until my mech has checked it out and changed the cam belt.
Chapeau Mr Van.
Black is a very unforgiving colour on fibreglass - but that seems to be holding up well and the early ones do look nicer.
The Elite is the nicest-looking wedge for me - but having cut my classic teeth on big Triumphs I couldn't lavish the love on anything with four cylinders.
Black is a very unforgiving colour on fibreglass - but that seems to be holding up well and the early ones do look nicer.
The Elite is the nicest-looking wedge for me - but having cut my classic teeth on big Triumphs I couldn't lavish the love on anything with four cylinders.
I have become a fan of four pots again after flirting with eights (and still have a six as the daily heap). Black is indeed a tricky colour, and this car has its share of blemishes but overall the paint is quite fair. I once had a JPS Europa with original paint which was lovely, but hard to keep clean.
I would say that the cost and hassle factor is about average by classic car standards. There are always some niggles, but the pleasure of ownership is high. The one that was most dodgy was my Elan Plus Two, which was never quite right, having been bodged more than once by past owners.
Only this one at present. It needs a good steam clean. I have ordered some black mats with yellow binding to carry on the JPS theme. The black and grey tweed upholstery covers the dash as well as the seats and tunnel and is hard wearing stuff. One small hole in driver's seat. Bolsters pretty good.
Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 29th September 10:02
This thread brings back some great memories.
I bought a brand new ECLAT 524 way back in 76 I think.
PXd a TVR 3000M for it at The London Sports Car Center,Edgeware Rd.
Bright Red with dark brown interior. Cost about 12K as I remember, which
was a hell of a lot then.
Automatic with aircon, which suited me at the time as I worked in the West End.
Needless to say I had a few problems with it. The auto box had to replaced and the rear window had a habit of falling out.
What a great car to drive,very comfortable,fast enough and spot on steering. I still have very fond memories of it.
I kept it for about 18 months and then changed it for a new Jag XJS.
Happy days.
I bought a brand new ECLAT 524 way back in 76 I think.
PXd a TVR 3000M for it at The London Sports Car Center,Edgeware Rd.
Bright Red with dark brown interior. Cost about 12K as I remember, which
was a hell of a lot then.
Automatic with aircon, which suited me at the time as I worked in the West End.
Needless to say I had a few problems with it. The auto box had to replaced and the rear window had a habit of falling out.
What a great car to drive,very comfortable,fast enough and spot on steering. I still have very fond memories of it.
I kept it for about 18 months and then changed it for a new Jag XJS.
Happy days.
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