1981 Lotus Eclat 2.2
Discussion
PlayersNo6 said:
Love these. Cousin of mine had an Elite in white in the early 90s. That switchgear looks like it's from a TR7.
Currently reading a book on Chapman. Seems he wasn't all that interested in the roadcars, they were simply a means to fund his racing activities.
BL parts bin for sure, along with the Marina door handles. The door key has the BL swirl on it.Currently reading a book on Chapman. Seems he wasn't all that interested in the roadcars, they were simply a means to fund his racing activities.
I have heard the same about Chapman, and IIRC he tended to drive Mercs himself, but he occasionally popped up to change a detail to one of the road cars. The Series 2 Elites and Eclats were the last road cars that Chapman had any involvement in.
Whatty said:
I rather like the Elite, wedgy shooting brake type looks.
How to ruin the looks with a doddgy spoiler:-http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lotus-Elite-/20119496225...
Not yet, but should be refitted next week. I will then change the cambelt, give the car a shakedown, tidy it up, and it should be ready for the NEC Stand. I have replaced the boring leather gear knob with a chrome one with a Lotus badge on it. The dash panel still looks pretty meh, but I will try to spiff it up a bit. What news of the Elite?
My mechanic has now given the car a good going over so it is starting easily and running well, with new points and condenser, dizzy cap and rotor arm, rebuilt carbs, new coil, new starter, repaired fuel pump, and the timing re set. Sadly this all happened too late to take the car to the Elite/Eclat/Excel stand at the NEC Show. The car got a bit damp sitting outside while immobile, and its electrics need a good checking. The wiper motor is a bit feeble, the interior switches aren't all illuminating, and the rear demister isn't working.
I have just realised that the registration spells out "pick up artist". This is not good.
I have just realised that the registration spells out "pick up artist". This is not good.
I may just have to tough it out until the motor gives up the ghost. I will give the oil trick a go. I was once driving a Jensen Interceptor through torrential rain on an Autostrada near Milan when the wiper motor burned out. I found that the solution was to drive faster - I kid you not, but the 20 kms or so to the next exit were pretty tense.
The Eclat is now in daily use on an eight miles each way station commute. It is starting first time in frost and in rain, and running well. It's a bit clattery at idle. The wipers are now working at two speeds (not very fast, and a bit faster) The lights are going up OK but one doesn't always fully close. The dash lighting is still erratic - standard feeble ghostly glow on the dials, centre panel mostly dark. The rear demister still doesn't work, but bags of dehumidifier in the car have helped dry it out a lot. The wiring for the tacky radio has been disturbed as it now lights up but makes no sounds. The cabin light doesn't work.
Driving observations: it's fun! By contrast with the 1990 Excel SE that I had for a while, this car seems to have a quicker throttle response, but it has got good as new carbs. I like the precise Getrag five speeder, which has a very solid feeling to the gear change action. The assisted steering seems just right. The car doesn't feel quite as bolted to the road as the Excel did, but the grip and handling are still very good and the new Falken tyres seem pretty reasonable in wet and dry. I haven't really flung the car about much, as I am still getting to know it and have been driving it mostly in the dark on wet or possibly icy roads.
These cars are actually worse for rearward visibility than a Lotus Europa is, so parking at the station can be a bit gingerish.
Forthcoming jobs for Roy will include checking the wiring behind the centre panel, fitting the little joystick that controls the door mirrors, and checking on some corroded fuse placements in the boot. Also the driver door drain holes need clearing - the door has water sloshing about in it, which is a bad thing as the steel bar inside the door is prone to rust (this is the main corrosion weakness of the galvanised chassis Elite/Eclat/Excels).
Driving observations: it's fun! By contrast with the 1990 Excel SE that I had for a while, this car seems to have a quicker throttle response, but it has got good as new carbs. I like the precise Getrag five speeder, which has a very solid feeling to the gear change action. The assisted steering seems just right. The car doesn't feel quite as bolted to the road as the Excel did, but the grip and handling are still very good and the new Falken tyres seem pretty reasonable in wet and dry. I haven't really flung the car about much, as I am still getting to know it and have been driving it mostly in the dark on wet or possibly icy roads.
These cars are actually worse for rearward visibility than a Lotus Europa is, so parking at the station can be a bit gingerish.
Forthcoming jobs for Roy will include checking the wiring behind the centre panel, fitting the little joystick that controls the door mirrors, and checking on some corroded fuse placements in the boot. Also the driver door drain holes need clearing - the door has water sloshing about in it, which is a bad thing as the steel bar inside the door is prone to rust (this is the main corrosion weakness of the galvanised chassis Elite/Eclat/Excels).
Thanks for your patronising post, Rochdale. Great contribution! So what if a dealer fitted decals? Is the ghost of Chapman going to haunt me? The sunroof is obviously after market. As for the spoiler, I care not, and I don't want to leave holes by taking it off. The tail pipes are not dissimilar in size to those seen on some Excels, and they aren't especially noisy. If they offend your delicate sensibilities, oh dear, how sad, never mind.
The Essex stuff was daubed on a few Esprits, IIRC.
The Essex stuff was daubed on a few Esprits, IIRC.
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