Lotus Eclat - 40th anniversary

[anonymous-user]

That one is an Excel. Excels are classed as Eclats by DVLA (Lotus saved money on type approval), and early Excels were badged as Eclat Excels. Compared to the Eclat, the Excel has a slightly different chassis, a different gearbox and brakes, revised rear suspension, and a different exhaust system. The panel is slightly revised, and the body is different, notably at the front and at the window behind the A pillar. Later Excels have a power boost from 160 BHP to 180 BHP.

[neutral 3]

So, is the blue one that my friend is modelling with an Excel ? Has it survived ?

That white one is lovely.

[anonymous-user]

The blue one with the woman in the dodgy pants is an Excel SE, I think.

[droopsnoot]

Breadvan72 said:

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.

Interesting - a mate has an Eclat which he bought as a project, his is an X-reg but I'm not sure whether 1981 or 1982.

[anonymous-user]

Another way to spot an Excel is that it has 15 inch wheels. An Eclat has 14 inch wheels. The Eclat is more pointy and wedgy than the still wedgy but slightly more rounded Excel.

[anonymous-user]

Anyone want one?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NO-RESERVE-TIMEWARP-1978...

[wildcat45]

So how do you pronounce the name?

"Ecla"

"Eclah"

"Eycla"

"Eyclah""

I am assuming the "t" is never pronounced.

[anonymous-user]

It should by Ayclah, but people tend to say Ehclat.

[marshalla]

Breadvan72 said:

Another way to spot an Excel is that it has 15 inch wheels. An Eclat has 14 inch wheels. The Eclat is more pointy and wedgy than the still wedgy but slightly more rounded Excel.

Early Excels (1982-84) were on 14" wheels and didn't look hugely different to the Eclat.

15" appeared on the 85MY version.

This is the first Eclat Excel




and an Eclat for comparison

[anonymous-user]

Another one has popped up -

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/lotus-eclat-2ltr-twincam...

[anonymous-user]

Now a Riviera:-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/lotus-eclat-riviera-2-2-...

[Benbay001]

I bought an Excel last week.

[anonymous-user]

Fabby!

[Finlandese]

Mine just went to the paint shop. Re-spray in Pearl White before winter duties as a daily driver. Studded winter tires are the next item on the shopping list..

[interloper]

Breadvan72 said:

It should by Ayclah, but people tend to say Ehclat.

Hmm not comfortable with either of those, first too airy, the second too blunt, I think I shall stick to miss pronouncing it as an eclair, mmmmmmm tasty!

[zb]

Lotus Eclat 524 Auto

Edited by zb on Wednesday 8th October 20:41

[rallycross]

524 Elite / Eclat was a rare thing, auto with aircon and the 524 Elite my dad had also had also had the microphone/dictaphone thing ( hand held mic) that was like a mobile phone ( but that had not yet been invented!)

[marshalla]

rallycross said:

524 Elite / Eclat was a rare thing, auto with aircon and the 524 Elite my dad had also had also had the microphone/dictaphone thing ( hand held mic) that was like a mobile phone ( but that had not yet been invented!)

Elites are 501,502,503 and 504

[mark387mw]

As there are Éclat and Excel fans here, I thought here is the best place to share this with you all.

For sale in NZ


1987 Excel SE Super Charged Lexus V8

[anonymous-user]

Yuck!