Lotus created several compelling cars, nearly all of which – when in good fettle – are exciting to own and drive. If there’s a fly in the ointment, it’s the dastardly condition of so many examples today. The quality of a Lotus on the showroom floor was barely adequate; the cars were not designed to persist for so many decades while passing through the hands of unsympathetic owners. After a dalliance with a Europa – which lasted longer than it should have – I’ve had a hankering for one of Lotus’ more upscale offerings – an Elan +2, or, because I love oddballs, the Eclat. But among the models most punished by neglect, the Eclat is head and shoulders above the rest: in all the years I have been messing around with cars, I’ve managed to find only one or two in decent condition. Today’s example has fewer flaws than most, but like legions of its peers, it doesn’t run. The good news is the price: this car is listed on facebook Marketplace for only $5500. It’s located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Sam61 spotted this one for us – thanks!
A type 907 2.0-liter twin-cam four-cylinder occupies the engine bay, decked with two Zenith-Strombergs. Since this is an early 520, it is equipped with a Ford four-speed manual. Considerable mechanical work has been performed, including rebuild work on the cylinder head, water pump, and carburetors, and replacement suspension and fuel system components. The timing belt was changed, but that was in 2013. In fact, it looks like some work was repeated recently due to the passage of time and the shift to a new owner in 2022, such as the fuel system refresh – executed twice. And now, I’m not sure I’d trust that >10-year-old timing belt on this interference engine, nor the twelve-year-old tires. Meanwhile, after thousands have been spent and time has passed, the engine will run only briefly, and while brake parts are included with the sale, the car cannot be driven even when the engine is fixed, due to lack of whoa.
The interior didn’t receive attention during this interval. The upholstery is peeling off its substrates (seats, door cards). The electric windows do work, as does the clock – a most unlikely circumstance! No word on the gauges. Several parts are included with the sale, including a Euro-bumper conversion kit, those brake parts, and miscellaneous spares. In fact, the ecosystem of club support and parts availability is comforting to anyone willing to accept the challenges of most Lotuses, this one included.
The Eclat was a larger car than Lotus had typically produced. Its stablemate, the Elite, was similarly aimed at luxury buyers. It’s an irony that these two models – the company’s most expensive offerings to that date – have weathered time so poorly. Meanwhile, thanks to a single sale of a high-quality Eclat in the last few years, we can say that top-end values are somewhere in the $20k to $30k area. Despite the gaps in its mechanical restoration, this Lotus offers considerable potential for reward. Any takers in the Barn Finds universe?
Yes i had a red 77 Elite, yes i know. And this baby is Sold.
After having 5 Elans in the 70’s, I have an affinity for Lotuses. The have their quirks but are not hard to work on. I recently picked up an 83 RHD Eclat with 18K on the clock and is in very good condition as the previous owner stored it properly. He was a Lotus guy but just didn’t get around to getting this car on the road due to his age. It has Dellorto carbs which are a plus and the engine turns well. My main issue is freeing up the inboard rear brakes of which one is frozen. Frame is good along with a nice original interior. I don’t like the looks of the Eilte but the Eclat is much more period. I may be putting it up for sale in spring in the $8K range. anyone interested? I can post a picture later
List it here-I’ll bet you get some outstanding returns!
When I ran my import shop I took in a silver Elan+2 wouldn’t start,Was timing belt, quoted price for work, customer agreed gave partial payment for parts, long story short never returned for car, applied for title under mech lien process, got title drove car for a month got offer over and above what I had in it, so sold it.2weeks later a Eclat came in same problem timing belt, except this time head was cracked also.Located head in UK, and buddy who worked for cargo airline picked up and brought home in company equipment belly pit, no duty.Finished car no response from owner so same process as Elan
Drove that one almost year, wife loved to get Corvettes to road race her this on one really twisty road outside town 90% of time she won. Had to sell before she lost her license for too many tickets.Only 2 Lotus I’ve had experience with except time I tried to squeeze myself into Europa wasn’t going to happen .HaHa now couldn’t get any one of them.
When I ran my import shop I took in a silver Elan+2 wouldn’t start,Was timing belt, quoted price for work, customer agreed gave partial payment for parts, long story short never returned for car, applied for title umder mech lien process, got title drove car for a month got offer over and above what I had in it, so sold it.2weeks later a Eclat came in same problem timing belt, except this time head was cracked also.Located head in UK, and buddy who worked for cargo airline picked up and brought home in company equipment belly pit, no duty.Finished car no response from owner so same process as Elan
Drove that one almost year, wife loved to get Corvettes to road race her on this one really twisty road outside town 90% of time she won. No long straights Had to sell before she lost her license for too many tickets.Only 2 Lotus I’ve had experience with except time I tried to squeeze myself into Europa wasn’t going to happen .HaHa now couldn’t get any one of them.
Michelle, you mention a Europa and an Elan+2 so I want to call your attention, and anyone else’s, to automotive writer and musician Rob Siegel. His latest FB post has a photo of the +2 engine and great write-up of the..challenges in the ownership of these cars, along a “few” BMWs, of course. Scrolling back to get more of the +2 story and rodent wars is entertaining for those of us that don’t have to stick our noses in the nests.
I read Rob Siegel regularly. He’s great, and I loved his wayward stray to the Lotus from his usual BMW fare.
Aren’t all Lotuses close to running?
Not all. I know mine sure to heck isn’t!
Not sure why the 2 Strombergs have their tops rotated 90 degrees from where they are supposed to be?
Good to see that the owner has the better “blue” timing belt on as the older “black” ones would stretch over time and would need retensioning so one wouldn’t “jump” a tooth , normally on the intake cam sprocket.
Hello RedRacer,
Do you know if the better blue timing belts thar you mentioned are available for the mid 80s Esprits as well? Thanks!
It is used on the Lotus 907 engines; here’s is the part # from rockauto:
I do not know if it will fit later engines. Tin Engel is the most knowledgeable on this and should be on Lotus websites
Go to RockAuto Home Page 1986 Nissan Maxima; high performance belt
GATES T104RB around $80, but well worth it
I looked at one of these – a ’77, I think – many decades ago when I lived in Los Angeles. It was burgundy and looked pretty sweet from about 25 feet. A peek inside revealed that, even though it was only 5 years old, the interior was already in the beginning stages of decomposition – like the feature car. I took a pass and bough a ’72 BMW 3.0cs instead for less than $3k more. Good call!
All Lotuses are almost ready to start