Gold FFM Escape Posted February 5, 2016 Gold FFM Report Share Posted February 5, 2016 When looking for something to replace my ill-fated Esprit, I seriously considered an Elit/Eclat/Excel. After testdriving a late Excel, my mind was quickly made up and I ended up getting another Esprit. But that doesn't mean I forgot about the others. Now I'm in a position to add another classic to the collection, and so have resumed the search. The Elite we saw at Hoffmans helped in no small way. :-) I found this one online: http://www.preloved.co.uk/adverts/show/610481889/1981-lotus-eclat.html?utm_source=newsnow&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=trovitcars All the info I can find, including on TLF, indicates there never was an official JPS edition of the Elite or Eclat, only promotional cars with JPS paintwork. Which would explain the very reasonable price. And it still is a great looking car! My first encounter with Lotus was a JPS pedal car, so it does bring back memories. Unfortunately, it's just a bit to far to just pop over for a look. So if anyone has any information about this car, I'd be very grateful. Similar cars for sale are also greatly appreciated of course. I don't mind some electrical or mechanical work, but don't have any experience when it comes to bodywork. Thanks, Filip Quote I have made many mistakes in my life. Buying a multiple Lotus is not one of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunc Posted February 5, 2016 Report Share Posted February 5, 2016 I don't even think there were "promotional cars with JPS paintwork". There were black eclats and black elites that owners put gold lettering on. I think that is GerrardJPC's old car: he said it didn't run too well and suspected a carb/iginition issue I think.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
franjipane Posted February 5, 2016 Report Share Posted February 5, 2016 Very nice looking car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TAR Posted February 5, 2016 Report Share Posted February 5, 2016 I think you will find that advert was place around a year ago. That site is really bad for displaying out of date adverts. Quote It's getting there...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM Escape Posted February 5, 2016 Author Gold FFM Report Share Posted February 5, 2016 Thanks for the info Duncan! I remember that topic, just need to refresh the details. 33 minutes ago, TAR said: I think you will find that advert was place around a year ago. That site is really bad for displaying out of date adverts. Feeling quite silly now. . And a tad disappointed. I didn't see a advertising date, but it does say '234 days ago' in small print at the bottom. So the search goes on! Quote I have made many mistakes in my life. Buying a multiple Lotus is not one of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeeech Posted February 5, 2016 Report Share Posted February 5, 2016 You don't want an éclat... Get an elite. Far better looking and rarer! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeeech Posted February 5, 2016 Report Share Posted February 5, 2016 P.s. Only rarer due to the looks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM Escape Posted February 5, 2016 Author Gold FFM Report Share Posted February 5, 2016 1 hour ago, mikeeech said: You don't want an éclat... Get an elite. Far better looking and rarer! I do, I do! Only that rarety has a price, and I'm not that big on either funds or patience. ;-) Quote I have made many mistakes in my life. Buying a multiple Lotus is not one of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunc Posted February 6, 2016 Report Share Posted February 6, 2016 On 05/02/2016 at 17:40, mikeeech said: You don't want an éclat... Get an elite. Far better looking and rarer! yeah.... right..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soldave Posted February 6, 2016 Report Share Posted February 6, 2016 That looks classy in the black with gold trim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Dunc Posted February 6, 2016 Popular Post Report Share Posted February 6, 2016 4 minutes ago, soldave said: That looks classy in the black with gold trim. no, it looks classy because it's a Lotus eclat.... 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soldave Posted February 6, 2016 Report Share Posted February 6, 2016 2 minutes ago, Dunc said: no, it looks classy because it's a Lotus eclat.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeeech Posted February 6, 2016 Report Share Posted February 6, 2016 17 minutes ago, Dunc said: no, it looks classy because it's a Lotus eclat.... If only there was a "don't like" button! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM Escape Posted February 7, 2016 Author Gold FFM Report Share Posted February 7, 2016 10 hours ago, mikeeech said: If only there was a "don't like" button! What's not to like? I'd be over the moon if I could find either for a reasonable price. Quote I have made many mistakes in my life. Buying a multiple Lotus is not one of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
makkyh Posted February 7, 2016 Report Share Posted February 7, 2016 I think you have pressed it anyway Mike. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeeech Posted February 7, 2016 Report Share Posted February 7, 2016 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pfallon Posted February 29, 2016 Report Share Posted February 29, 2016 Hi Filip, there's a S1 504 being auctioned on the 12th March at Brooklands. No reserve and it seems to have had some money spent on it. http://www.historics.co.uk/buying/auctions/2016-03-12/cars/ref-18-1979-lotus-elite.aspx?p= Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oilmagnet477 Posted March 1, 2016 Report Share Posted March 1, 2016 Paul, Thanks - you've just reminded me why I have one in the shed (that I can't access at the moment!) Sorted ones of these look EPIC imo - that one certainly does One day their appeal has to become more widely appreciated......... Quote Is the price for that bit in Yen or £? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPohja Posted March 1, 2016 Report Share Posted March 1, 2016 Thats good color for Elite! Why weber's? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gold FFM johnpwalsh Posted March 1, 2016 Gold FFM Report Share Posted March 1, 2016 Eclat's, Elite's. Does it matter. The thing is they are both great in their own respect. All that matters is another saved and to be enjoyed. It's the same old adage. Buy the best you can afford and have someone who probably knows the car give you any history that's available. Me, I would have an Eclat or Riviera, or if I could find one, a late Excel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USAndretti42 Posted March 14, 2016 Report Share Posted March 14, 2016 On 1 March 2016 at 17:11, oilmagnet477 said: Paul, Thanks - you've just reminded me why I have one in the shed (that I can't access at the moment!) Sorted ones of these look EPIC imo - that one certainly does One day their appeal has to become more widely appreciated......... I went dowm to Brooklands to look at this car. It was as nice as in the pictures. I wasn't the omly one to think so as it sold for £7,500! Quote S4 Elan, Elan +2S, Federal-spec, World Championship Edition S2 Esprit #42, S1 Elise, Excel SE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeeech Posted March 14, 2016 Report Share Posted March 14, 2016 That sounds like a pretty reasonable price for a decent car. Getting a typical elite to a good standard will cost that since, typically, they have been unloved for a long period. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phil flash Posted March 17, 2016 Report Share Posted March 17, 2016 (edited) Keep talking guys. Got an Eclat Rivera surplus to my requirements but been sitting in my garage with bent valves for too many years. Bought another head years ago too. You're giving me the enthusiasm to go sort it. Looked nice when it was running but foam backing to headlining has rotted so it's dropped and dash leathercloth is curling up at the edges.. As for 'Elite v Eclat' ... When we had kids I thought about an Elan+2 but went for a Scimitar GTE SE5, then a SE5A, and then went looking for an Elite that I thought looked a flatter wider version but found it wasn't actually an 'estate car'. Looked at plenty and ended up with my Eclat Riviera. Wide enough for two boys in the back and a baby seat between hung over the centre tunnel. I wouldn't worry about body style but go for a 2.2 engine with Getrag gearbox, definitely much better than the earlier 2 litre cars with Lotus box and Austin Maxi gear clusters. Engine bhp same but torque on 2.2 starts much lower down and makes overtaking much quicker. Edited March 17, 2016 by phil flash 1 Quote Phil Leave me alone I know what to do - I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisJ Posted March 17, 2016 Report Share Posted March 17, 2016 1 hour ago, phil flash said: Wide enough for two boys in the back and a baby seat between hung over the centre tunnel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loose Cannon Posted March 17, 2016 Report Share Posted March 17, 2016 That red Riviera looks epic. Hope the world has changed cos when I was selling a very nice S2.2 3 years ago I had about 2 enquiries! That orange/yellow Elite just looks wierd - another car where the wheels don't sit centrally in the wheelarches - badly fitted replacement chassis or the wrong size tyres IMHO. Quote In the garage no-one can hear you scream Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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