Engine Not Included: 1979 Lotus Eclat

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The seller proclaims this 1979 Lotus Eclat to be a “DOHC supercar” just before telling us the engine and transmission are not included in the sale. Apparently, it was purchased for the drivetrain, as the seller wasn’t actually interested in piloting the Eclat. Which is not surprising, given this is sort of the redheaded stepchild of the vintage Lotus family – but what a shame to separate it from the matching mill. Find the Eclat here on eBay with a $2K Buy-It-Now. 

This isn’t one of those deals, either, where the seller is just tempting us to bid sooner as if there’s a chance the engine won’t be removed. He seems pretty fixated in shanking it for another project, noting that the body will be filled with hard-to-find trim and other bits. However, the seller does note the Eclat received an engine rebuild and was then left out in the unforgiving Florida sun.

So perhaps there’s a reason for this madness. Check out the interior: it’s readily apparent the cabin has borne the brunt of outdoor storage. Lotus interiors don’t age well as it is, and the Eclat’s cabin didn’t stand a chance if left outside in the scorching humidity of a Florida summer. Plus, electronics were never Lotus’ strong suit, which may mean the rebuilt motor was the only sensible thing to salvage from this abandoned Eclat.

Unless there’s other hidden cosmetic damage, the seller is effectively providing a clean shell that needs an interior and a drivetrain. I’m not sure an Eclat is ever tempting enough to take on with the need to source those major components. Coupled with the limited number of Eclat owners that are willing to spend $2K for a shell, I do wonder if this unloved Lotus will have a shot at returning to the road anytime soon.

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Comments

  1. Coventrycat

    DOHC = Dilapidated Old Hethel Crap.

    Like 5
  2. grant

    nohc?

    Like 2
  3. JagManBill

    I know it wont fit, but someones gotta say it…

    SBC anyone? :)

    Interesting to consider what transplants might be possible. Miata maybe? Honda S2k? VTec?

    I’d be interested in it if it were down around $800 to $1k maybe…

    Like 2
    • dgrass

      215 Buick will fit under the *bonnet*.

      Like 1
    • Poppapork

      The problem with sbc or 215 is cramping it in there, cooling it, mating it to a sutable trans and ill bet the low end torque would twist the diff like a pretzel! Not to mention weight distribution….

      I would get a 2.3 4cyl ecoboost + 6speed manual out of a rolled over mustang. 310 horses should move this thing very swiftly!

      Like 4
      • Poppapork

        Damn! I just looked up the 4 cyl mustang and its 0-60 is 5.3seconds’ 13.9 in the quater mile. Curb weight approx 3600lbs. But the lotus is 2300lbs! I think it might be a bit much…
        Maybe a honda s2000 motor and trans’ 230hp NA 9000rpm. Get a totaled one and move the seats and dash as well?

        Like 0
  4. jello

    DOHC Super Car? It never was. These were capable handling cars, but not all that fast. I have an Elite (basically the same car, with a different back end treatment). This was a sporty two door that would seat 4. Designed by Colin Chapman when his family was expanding. They are light for their size, and share an engine with the S1 esprit. The elite/eclat is likely to be a money pit. They have no real fan base amongst the Lotus people, parts are not necessarily shared with other Lotus’ models other than the engine, and the early cars used the halfshafts as upper links – which put stress on them and teir bearings.

    Like 0
  5. Scott Tait

    Seller is a grade A …. (place not so nice word here) 2k for a pile of crap… bet he only paid 1500 complete or less

    Like 1
  6. Doug Edwards

    If you needed the sheet metal it would be great.

    Like 0
    • angliagt angliagtMember

      Um,it’s fiberglass,so no metal.

      Like 1
  7. Wrong Way

    I see this as something to park in your yard and put Christmas lights on it! Otherwise I see a big pile of garbage! No drive train, it’s worthless!

    Like 0

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