Lotus Eclat - 40th anniversary

[Chris-R]

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

[Chris-R]

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.

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...

[Chris-R]

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...?