Stored in the Eighties: 1976 Lotus Elite

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Wow – this 1976 Lotus Elite has one of the thickest coatings of dust I can remember seeing on a barn find in recent memory. It’s perfect! Undisturbed, to say the least, as many cars wearing this level of dust quickly become a canvas for the bored. The Elite isn’t the world’s most desirable Lotus, but this one looks impressively clean and straight despite its years of storage. Find it here on craigslist for $2,500.

Thanks to Barn Finds reader bw for the find. It appears there’s other treasure hiding out in that garage, perhaps a Caterham or a Lotus 7? There’s more to this story for certain, especially given how it looks like all of the cars were parked and stored at about the same time. Did a relative pass away, leaving them all to sit locked out of daylight until just recently? Surely, the seller knows the story behind the pictures.

Curiously, the seller says it “…needs to be restored or just a fuel tank.” I’m assuming the intent here is to say that you could just replace the tanks and drive it, or you could properly refresh the car by going through the whole motor, suspension, and of course, the always fragile Lotus interiors.

But that’s where this Elite gets a little better: the interior isn’t trashed. In fact, it’s super solid, far better than some of the last Lotus projects we’ve featured. With the engine still turning freely and a very reasonable $2,500 asking price, this Lotus looks like a good bet for a project. It may have been stored for years, but it appears to have been done so carefully and with stablemates that indicate enthusiast ownership.

Auctions Ending Soon

Comments

  1. Nessy

    Nice car for the money. Watch out for Lucas electrical nightmares. That is body shop dust which would build up like that in a matter of months, not decades. You can just tell. Look at the clean shelves. I once went to look at an Elite model around this vintage for a low price. After watching the owner try and start it for at least 30 minutes, I decided it was not for me.

    Like 6
    • Jeff

      I think that’s a cabinet shop, not a body shop. Looks like sawdust to me. But regardless, like you said it’s months’ worth, not years’ worth.

      Like 14
  2. 71FXSuperGlide

    Yes, I’m sure a fuel tank is all it needs. :D

    Almost Pinto-ish from the rear. God awful ugly, sorry.

    Like 4
  3. wuzjeepnowsaab

    Wow, seems pretty reasonably priced for what it is

    Like 3
  4. Skip

    Whats the car to the left in the first picture?

    Like 3
    • Kevin Harper

      I think it is a series 2 or 3 Espirit

      Like 5
      • Alexander McInnes

        I’d sooner have that one.

        Like 4
  5. KO

    Delightful 70’s design. I’d rock it.

    Like 2
  6. Beatnik Bedouin

    These cars were nightmares when it came to reliability, and the work of the Prince of Darkness – Joseph Lucas – was only the start, or lack of starting.

    Still, it is reasonably priced and would make a great project for someone…

    Like 2
    • TVC15

      The Lucas Factory Moto ” Home Before Dark “

      Like 3
      • Bill McCoskey Bill McCoskeyMember

        TVC15;
        Many years ago I wrote a tongue-in-cheek article about Joseph Lucas’ life, and I began by suggesting it be read during daylight hours.

        Did you know the Lucas company was a pioneer in hiring the disabled? They began by employing color blind wiring harness assemblers!

        I’m also one of the the guys who came up with the bumper sticker “All parts falling off this car, are of the finest British workmanship!”

        And in all fairness, I’ve owned many wonderful and reliable British cars, From a Triumph Herald to a Rolls-Royce Silver Spur.

        Like 3
  7. Kevin Harper

    After looking at the Craigslist pictures I think it is safe to say that that this is owned by a fan of the cars from Hethel. I see 4 other lotus’s (loti ?) A super 7, an Espirit, a Europa and I think an Elan.
    Wonder if they are cleaning house, the 7 and Espirit would be of interest.

    Like 3
  8. Rex Kahrs Rex KahrsMember

    In that one high side shot, the front end looks like a Pontiac Fiero, and the back end looks like a Gremlin.

    Like 4
  9. angliagt angliagtMember

    WHY do people leave the air cleaners off of cars like this?
    I like these cars,but would avoid a project one.You could end up with
    a huge fortune into this,& good luck getting much out of it when you
    finally give up on this project.

    Like 0
  10. david

    Great road car, especially these later 5-speed, electronic ignition cars. Fast and comfortable. Perfect for 2 adults and maybe 1 or 2 small kids. A pain to adjust the valves every 10k miles and dizzys on the older points 4-speed cars

    Like 0
  11. h5mind

    There is no such thing as a cheap, non-maintained Lotus. This is one of those brands where buying the best one you can find will be far cheaper.in the long run.

    Like 2
    • cyclemikey

      Yes, this and every other brand.

      But that’s not the point for many of us. Hope springs eternal.

      Like 1
  12. TC

    Phew! At first I thought someone snuck in my house and took a picture of the dust under my bed…

    Like 2
  13. J.C. Halstead

    Somebody six feet tall bought it, and couldn’t get back in.

    Like 0
  14. Peter starkey

    I think its an Eclat , most certainly not an Elan gentlemen.

    Like 0

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