Lotus Eclat - 40th anniversary
Discussion
The Eclat is 40 next year, which makes me feel pretty old! Isn't it time the model felt a little more love from the enthusiast/classic community? Prices have been on the floor for so long I couldn't resist buying one...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Bi6C79rk3s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Bi6C79rk3s
I have recently become more enthusiastic about the Eclat and am building my motivation to go and view an Eclat Sprint (white with black stripe) that is for sale in South Wales.
Having watched your you tube clip is appears my fears about the level of commitment are shared!!
I declined to view the black eclat that is advertised in the PH classifieds after the vendor told me it was a pre-JPS special edition to commemorate the death of Colin Chapman.
Have you decided to invest in your Eclat?
Having watched your you tube clip is appears my fears about the level of commitment are shared!!
I declined to view the black eclat that is advertised in the PH classifieds after the vendor told me it was a pre-JPS special edition to commemorate the death of Colin Chapman.
Have you decided to invest in your Eclat?
This one just popped up on E-Bay here in the US. Complete with eye-catching US federalised bumpers, poor thing....
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lotus-Other-2-DOOR-1978-lo...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lotus-Other-2-DOOR-1978-lo...
paulgray said:
I have recently become more enthusiastic about the Eclat and am building my motivation to go and view an Eclat Sprint (white with black stripe) that is for sale in South Wales.
Having watched your you tube clip is appears my fears about the level of commitment are shared!!
I declined to view the black eclat that is advertised in the PH classifieds after the vendor told me it was a pre-JPS special edition to commemorate the death of Colin Chapman.
Have you decided to invest in your Eclat?
Well, I did only pay £600... and bought a 'shed', so some commitment was expected! The rear chassis member (one of the Achilles heels) seems to have a bit of life left, but it's going to go at some point - especially if I'm going to keep driving it through the winter. Having watched your you tube clip is appears my fears about the level of commitment are shared!!
I declined to view the black eclat that is advertised in the PH classifieds after the vendor told me it was a pre-JPS special edition to commemorate the death of Colin Chapman.
Have you decided to invest in your Eclat?
The engine pulls like a train and seems in pretty good fettle.
I'm going to try and just keep it running while I can, and take a view on further 'investment' when something significant goes 'more wrong' I suppose...
geeman237 said:
This one just popped up on E-Bay here in the US. Complete with eye-catching US federalised bumpers, poor thing....
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lotus-Other-2-DOOR-1978-lo...
A rust-free fibreglass body can hide a multitude of sins! And federalised bumpers don't look so bad on a wedge...?http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lotus-Other-2-DOOR-1978-lo...
My mate has a mint black Eclat with a Vegantune 200hp engine. Has had it since the 80s. Did post some pics here on a thread once.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.49023899...
Nice piece of nostalgia but, styling wise, still relatively ungainly. Its time will come.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.49023899...
Nice piece of nostalgia but, styling wise, still relatively ungainly. Its time will come.
Edited by LuS1fer on Thursday 19th December 21:04
The lotus issue is a strange one, I still rather want a wedgy Eclat, Elite or Excel but they seem to have slipped under the radar.
I suppose the aspects that put people off are the perception of high parts prices and the fragility of the slant engine. Mind you I have noticed that classifieds prices of the "classic" Lotuses like the Elan are actually cheaper than the b'stard cousin the Ford Lotus Cortina, now this seems really odd to me?
I suppose the aspects that put people off are the perception of high parts prices and the fragility of the slant engine. Mind you I have noticed that classifieds prices of the "classic" Lotuses like the Elan are actually cheaper than the b'stard cousin the Ford Lotus Cortina, now this seems really odd to me?
16VJay said:
Next year will be the 40th for the Elite, launched in 1974 - the Eclat's will be 2015 as it was launched the year after.
"pre-JPS special edition to commemorate the death of Colin Chapman" - never heard of that before - doubt Lotus have either!
Wouldn't that require some time travel as I think the JPS edition cars came out in the late Seventies and Chapman died in the early Eighties?!"pre-JPS special edition to commemorate the death of Colin Chapman" - never heard of that before - doubt Lotus have either!
interloper said:
16VJay said:
Next year will be the 40th for the Elite, launched in 1974 - the Eclat's will be 2015 as it was launched the year after.
"pre-JPS special edition to commemorate the death of Colin Chapman" - never heard of that before - doubt Lotus have either!
Wouldn't that require some time travel as I think the JPS edition cars came out in the late Seventies and Chapman died in the early Eighties?!"pre-JPS special edition to commemorate the death of Colin Chapman" - never heard of that before - doubt Lotus have either!
Chris-R said:
Well, I did only pay £600... and bought a 'shed', so some commitment was expected! The rear chassis member (one of the Achilles heels) seems to have a bit of life left, but it's going to go at some point - especially if I'm going to keep driving it through the winter.
The engine pulls like a train and seems in pretty good fettle.
I'm going to try and just keep it running while I can, and take a view on further 'investment' when something significant goes 'more wrong' I suppose...
Nice video, you have done a cracking job of putting that together (finally got to see it earlier this evening).The engine pulls like a train and seems in pretty good fettle.
I'm going to try and just keep it running while I can, and take a view on further 'investment' when something significant goes 'more wrong' I suppose...
It does sound like your only getting half the Lotus experience, you have the dodgy electrics, the quirky looks/interior but are missing out on the apparently great handling, a bit of an odd deal!
I would be sorely tempted to start looking at the springs, dampers bushes and the steering. Probably leaving the body as is, it's kind of shabby chic!
That's stunning BV 
, any more details ?
I'm still in love with my Elite
Even though it's in bits at the moment waiting on a new water pump.
As mentioned great vid Chris, watched it a few times (first time i've seen this thread though), have you still got the car ?, did you get the steering sorted ?
, any more details ?I'm still in love with my Elite
Even though it's in bits at the moment waiting on a new water pump.
As mentioned great vid Chris, watched it a few times (first time i've seen this thread though), have you still got the car ?, did you get the steering sorted ?
This is a bit of a punt. I saw the car on eBay, went to see it, and won the auction by a whisker. The seller inherited the car last year. It appears to be original, and has done 101,000 miles, so a top end refurb and cam belt change will be a good idea. There is some crazing and wear on paint, but overall it is good. The interior needs a good clean, but apart from a small hole in the driver's seat is in decent condition, with recent carpets, and no smell of damp. The wing mirror adjuster stalk is missing, but all other bells and whistles seem to work.
I rather fancy an Elite, but they are even rarer than Eclats. There is a blue one up on CandC at present. Yours looks lovely.
I know that an Excel is a better car than an Eclat, but I like the shonky seventies looks of the earlier wedge. This one does at least have a 912 engine and Getrag five speed,and elctric pop ups instead of winky vacuums. The wheels have a band of gold paint on them which looks good on a JPS liveried car. The tyres are all cheapo brands, so I am looking for some new ones. Choice in 205/60 14 is limited.
I have had a Lotus shaped hole in my world for too long. Tomorrow I collect this heap and fill that gap!
I rather fancy an Elite, but they are even rarer than Eclats. There is a blue one up on CandC at present. Yours looks lovely.
I know that an Excel is a better car than an Eclat, but I like the shonky seventies looks of the earlier wedge. This one does at least have a 912 engine and Getrag five speed,and elctric pop ups instead of winky vacuums. The wheels have a band of gold paint on them which looks good on a JPS liveried car. The tyres are all cheapo brands, so I am looking for some new ones. Choice in 205/60 14 is limited.
I have had a Lotus shaped hole in my world for too long. Tomorrow I collect this heap and fill that gap!
I have the exact same view as you on the Excel, it is undeniably a better car but prefer the looks of the earlier cars despite the faults.
My car has the wonky vacuum lights, the left hand light raises if the car has sat idle for three days which looks comical, it's also a bit lazy to lift an needs help when i turn the dipped beams on, at least the pods close when the engine starts though as i cant stand the sight of these cars with the headlights up in daylight (which means the system is faulty).
Only decent tyre i've been able to find in 205/60/14 is a Falken, though BFGoodridge do a 215/60/14 which would work but is twice the price.
My car currently has ancient Good Year Eagle NCT's on the front and crappy NEXEN's on the rear so will be buying a set of Falkens soon.
Exciting stuff with the Eclat, keep us updated
My car has the wonky vacuum lights, the left hand light raises if the car has sat idle for three days which looks comical, it's also a bit lazy to lift an needs help when i turn the dipped beams on, at least the pods close when the engine starts though as i cant stand the sight of these cars with the headlights up in daylight (which means the system is faulty).
Only decent tyre i've been able to find in 205/60/14 is a Falken, though BFGoodridge do a 215/60/14 which would work but is twice the price.
My car currently has ancient Good Year Eagle NCT's on the front and crappy NEXEN's on the rear so will be buying a set of Falkens soon.
Exciting stuff with the Eclat, keep us updated
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