Unlikely EV Conversion: 1980 Lotus Eclat

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This 1980 Lotus Eclat is either a let-down or a seriously captivating project depending on your view of classics being converted to electric vehicles. But no matter your preference, this one is like all other old Lotuses in that it doesn’t run. In a sweet twist of irony, just like the original gasoline powerplant likely would have had numerous issues by now, the batteries are junk in this pretty Eclat that rides on period-correct Enkei wheels. It’s listed here on craigslist with a $6,500 asking price price in the San Francisco Bay area, and thanks to Barn Finds reader Pat L. for flagging this. 

I remain somewhat conflicted on the conversion of vintage cars and trucks to EV status. It’s not that I’m against hybrid or electric vehicles – hardly – but more I fail to see the point of keeping an older car or truck if it doesn’t have the original drivetrain configuration still in place. The experience of driving an older performance car (for me, at least) hinges on the smells and sounds that the engine makes, especially if it’s a memorable noise like that of an air-cooled Porsche or a flat-plane crank Corvette. Take that away and you may still have an attractive car, but one without its original weight distribution, which was calibrated in such a way to ensure the drivetrain complemented the suspension.

The Eclat was never exactly a home run for Lotus, so at least the EV conversion in this instance kept a car on the road that may have otherwise been forgotten and left for dead. The interior is a mixed bag, with decent seats front and rear but a marginal console and some missing components from the center stack. The rear headrests are sun-damaged and the wood trim is pretty well faded. Overall, for a vintage Lotus, it’s not bad inside, and it will look quite nice with a vintage radio plugged in, or better yet, the original center panel with controls for the heat and air conditioning instead of the homemade piece of wood that currently occupies the space.

The Lotus was converted in 2012 to EV use with Optima batteries, and the seller notes he drove it 5,000 miles before they died. I honestly don’t know enough about battery-powered cars to know whether this is typical or if he forgot some critical part of battery maintenance. The listing indicates he is including a pack of lithium-ion batteries that her personally recycled from an EV that had just two years of use. The batteries are 100Ah are will match the 120V Elcon charger. Of course, I would much prefer this Eclat retained its original powertrain while everything else stayed the same – the paint and the wheels, particularly – but what about you? Do you appreciate the scale of the work done so far, and would you drive it as an EV?

Auctions Ending Soon

Comments

  1. Skorzeny

    I’d rip that electric BS out of there faster than you could say Colin Chapman.

    Like 20
    • Mikefromthehammer

      Colin Chapman was famous for “adding lightness”. This monstrosity is the antithesis of that, to wit “adding heaviness”. This is an abomination to everything Chapman stood for.

      Like 11
  2. Derek

    See, I think this is a good idea. We’re encouraged to get rid of i/c cars and buy electric ones – but that disregards the energy that’s already been expended in creating the existing car. The most environmentally friendly way of creating an electric car is as shown. There isn’t enough lithium available to replace every i/c powerplant with modern batteries, so lead’s a plentiful alternative. Lacks range and speed, but you’ll only be using it locally; take the train to travel farther afield.

    Or you could use yer pushbike..!

    Like 4
  3. CJinSD

    This green conversion went 5,000 miles on a set of batteries. Not on a charge, but on a set of batteries. The earth might not survive the EV revolution.

    Like 8
  4. George

    Optima batteries are supposedly a better choice than lead acid. 5000 seems really low.

    Like 3
  5. Geoff C

    I can see doing this conversion to a common production car…. but a Lotus?

    Like 0
  6. John

    I See LS Swap all over this

    Like 1
  7. PRA4SNW

    This may be a common idea in the SF Bay Area. Here in NH, people would look at you like you have 2 heads – an Electric / Lotus? WTF!

    Like 1
  8. Howie Mueler

    Years ago i had a 77 Elite, this is not too bad, depends on what you want to do with it, yes the interior is a bit rough. I hope it sells and is back on the road someday.

    Like 2
  9. Peter k

    If it were mine I would have taken the crap boat anchor motor out and installed something from Honda or Toyota .

    Like 1
  10. BIMMERBILL

    First I agree with everyone, in that this is a looser of a car, but I would love to have the car and the owner can keep all of his mistakes he installed in this car. Lets face it, the car deserves much better and with all the modern power plants out there anything would be an improvement. And if you don’t want to fool with all the electronics on the new engines you could go with something older. I remember an article in Road and Track years ago when an owner wanted more power but did not want his handling changed. An aluminum V8 out of a ’61 Buick Skylark was installed without changing the weight so his handling remained the same and this engine could be built into a 307 from the original 215. You could do a lot of other mods also. But time has gotten away from us and where would you find one now.

    Like 2
    • John

      The old aluminum buick 215 V8 was sold to Rover, they still make the Rover V8 , buick had problems as the with there cast aluminum blocks and had too many rejected blocks so they sold it to Rover who perfected it by injection moulding process, would be a perfect choice and keeping it still all British

      Like 3

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