We’ve always been intrigued by these 70s Lotus Elite and Eclat (sometimes called the Lotus Eclair). These front-engine oddballs were large for Lotus, but still used the “just add lightness” formula and were known as excellent handlers. The Elite, with its shooting brake body type, is more the oddball, while this Eclat has a coupe roof line. To us, it seems like these cars were style leaders, as they went angular in the mid 70s, while so many others went that way around 1980-1984 (think Celica/Supra, 200SX, Corvette, Camaro/Firebird, Datsun Z, etc.).
Today’s feature is a true project, but it was recently painted and it seems that most, if not all, parts are present. Note that this is offered by the same shop that sold the Renault Dauphine we featured last week.
The seller indicates that some interior parts should be replaced or restored ad that an engine rebuilt may be a good idea. That being said, this car was driving to the shop before the restoration was started. Whether refreshed or rebuilt, the Lotus twin cam should provide a great song and this car should offer a high level of “fun to drive” once it’s put back together. We hope it finds a loving and capable owner!
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Cullman, AL, USA
$5,950 with ZERO bids and four days to go
This styling has grown on us in recent years. Sure, we’d love the shooting brake, but the name Eclat adds a few weirdness points.
One doesn’t have to worry about floor pan rust, as these are fiberglass. The worries relate to the steel frame underneath.
Here’s the trunk – again, it seems solid, but needs to be trimmed out.
Was the twin-cam was left in place for painting? Maybe not, as the white paint looks pretty fresh.
Yes, front seats are included, along with supposedly every other part removed.
Ad text:
” Happy 75th Birthday… time to sell all your cars , close the restoration shop, and enjoy some track time while you can “
after many years of restoring old race cars, family thinks it’s time to sell off all my accumulated stock of cars and parts.
So we have sold one of our shop buildings, and are preparing to sell the main shop as well.
As Usual
ALL reasonable offers to add a “Buy it Now” considered
the Lotus is for sale at the shop and elsewhere,
the listing may be ended at any time
This is a great opportunity to acquire one of the very desirable Lotus Éclat Sprints
Relisted without reserve, starting where it ended last month.
This Lotus has recently been refinished in Performance Yellow basecoat/clearcoat, and is for sale as shown just after a rinse.
It is ready to have the trim re-installed.
The interior is in fair condition, and now that the exterior is a head turner, the upholstery should be refinished also.
This is a Euro Spec car, LEFT hand drive, Euro bumpers, with dual D’llorto carburetors, and optional 14″ wheels. Not on the road for some time, the car was driven to the body shop, but after 40 years, the engine should be freshened.
Cylinders showed 160,155,160,160 psi
All trim and interior parts were carefully removed, and can be packaged and loaded inside the car, so this car can ship quickly to Europe
Many of our cars leave from Port of Savannah, and we can assist with arrangements to any of the European Ports, as well as Australia from LongBeach on the West Coast
This restoration is NOT ‘stalled’
This Sprint is one of several cars in the shop that we continue to work on ( SO PLEASE CALL BEFORE YOU BID ) , and if not sold, the price will change as work continues
Other cars , include the ex Karl Flessa ’59 Bugeye race car, a ’65 Morgan +4, a ’57 Mercury Montclair w/Tpke engine, the ex Bill Leonhardt/ Dan Gallant ’57 Volvo 444 race car (oldest Volvo race car still actively racing ), 59’LaDawri Daytona 292 T’Bird w 3 deuces, a ’60 Lotus 7 Series1, , the ex John Helms Fiat 124, spider race car, ’72 TE27 Corolla Vintage race car,a’52 BucklerMk10 TaylorAlloyBody, the original Fiberfab Factory Azteca mid-engine Corvair/Porsche 356 base , a’58 Turner 803, a PreWar Ranger 440 Aircraft engined race car, a ’29 Studebaker Lt Six Boattail speedster, several Vintage race car rolling chassis(s), bodies, and numerous other parts cars and cars for restoration..as well as a 4000 sq ft building full of Vintage parts.
This car is offered as shown… and it appears complete, with good glass, and dash.
All of the alloy trim is in good, except for a couple of rear window pieces will need straightening.
Notice that the beltline has been finished, to better enhance the lines of the car,
and the car has the desirable and hard to find Euro bumpers.
MORE PICTURES ARE AVAILABLE
We can help with arrangements to have the car shipped quickly.
Call Dave at (256) xxx xxxx, 8am – 9pm Central Time,