Newbie Lotus fan!

[Patricklee]

ks. A newbie here. I’m Patrick and I live on the South Coast in Portsmouth UK. Always been a classic car fan and currently own two Sunbeams, a 63’ Alpine and a 71’ Rapier Fastback. Previously owned MGs, Porsches and Triumphs. A mate had an Excel in the past and I’ve always been a fan of this range and aspired to own one! So I’m in the market for a good condition Elite. Really nice to introduce myself to you all and getting your advice on buying and running a classic Lotus. Have a great weekend!

[Hawaiis0]

Welcome Patrick.

The answers are all here - somewhere. Everyone will be happy to support you on your journey of choice.

The NEC is coming up next month, but will be featuring the booted Elite (Eclat) on its 50th Anniversary year. Worth a long day out or a weekend away.

Stu

[Patricklee]

Thanks Stu. Will definitely head up to the NEC at least for a day trip! Love the Eclats too!

[rbgosling]

Welcome Patrick!

I've noticed rather more Elites come up for sale in the last year or so than previously. Maybe now the appreciation is growing, more people are pulling out their barn-stored cars or restoration projects...

What are you after? A project to work on, a car you can just drive around in anything from shabby to nice condition, or a showstopper? What sort of budget are you thinking to throw at it? There are cars at every level with a W I D E range of prices!

Many of the more experienced hands here would be happy to let you know what to look for on a particular potential purchase, depending on where it is someone might even be able to come along and take a look at it.

Or, if you want to take a punt, the YouTube channel Tasty Classics is trying to get a lovely yellow one back to roadworthy condition (and had a couple of epic battles on the way...) and it will then be raffled off - tickets on sale now!

Yes, a good suggestion of Stu's to come along to the NEC show, a good opportunity to look around some cars so we can show you what to look out for.

[AndrewWebber]

I'm happy to help (I live in the SE, but work occasionally in Stafford) and have what might be called a 'running, fairly regularly used' Elite in reasonable unrestored order. I did look at a few for / with a gentleman who approached us at an NEC show a few years back and in the end he couldn't find what he wanted for his budget, as Richard says defining your must haves / nice to haves etc will narrow down the likely candidates out there...

Good luck and it would be great to have another in the fold..

Andy

[Patricklee]

Thanks chaps! Good advice re narrowing down the search.
I’m looking for a good condition Elite with a nice interior and good paint/engine. Either original or restored. Something I can take to a car show and also do some continental touring and Sunday morning b road blasts!
I have a budget up to £16K for the right car.
There seems to be quite a lot of projects around but these days I don’t have the time or energy to take a project on!!

[rbgosling]

That sounds realistic, that budget should get you a pretty nice car, if/when the right one comes up for sale. That's pretty much at the upper end of what they are advertised for, other than the very occasional dreamer/chancer who tries (and fails) to sell them for Esprit money.

A little patience may be required as there aren't that many cars out there, so you may not find a car in the right condition right away. When we happen to notice there are cars for sale we may mention it in the appropriate corner of this forum, but we may not catch 'em all!

I run the club stand at the NEC Restoration Show in March, and usually put together a brochure of cars currently for sale for the show. I'd say the three locations that tend to throw up the most cars for sale are "Car and Classic", eBay, and the Facebook group "Lotus Elite/Eclat/Excel parts and cars for sale".

[AndrewWebber]

I would say, with the exception of the headlining and vinyl roof, which are both functional as opposed to 'very good' my car would make a reasonable benchmark for you to compare others with if that would help at all. Certainly your use profile is exactly what I do with mine, with few long distance work runs thrown in on top. As Richard says you will need to wait, possibly a while, to hit that perfectly realistic sweet spot, but when the right one comes along it will reward the patience and be on budget, whereas, not only will a 'big project' car sap your time and energy, you won't complete it properly for that budget.

Happy hunting!

Andy

[Patricklee]

Thanks Andy. Whereabouts are you in the SE? I would be good to catch up and maybe see your car at some point so I can see what to look out for!

[AndrewWebber]

I live mainly in Maidstone, I do occasionally take it back to see its previous long term owner to fulfil a promise I made when I took it over a few years back, he lives near Gatwick, but I'm not adverse to driving it further in your direction, ideally before the roads get salty ....maybe you would come part way?

Andy

[Patricklee]

Absolutely happy to travel to meet up somewhere convenient for a coffee and an Elite discussion!

[AndrewWebber]

Just a thought, I'm due an evening hospital appointment at Shoreham (Sussex) in a week or so's time, just waiting on a final date / time confirmation. Are you available to be somewhere near there any afternoon in the later half of next week?


Andy

[Patricklee]

Thanks Andy. Friday would definitely work. Wednesday and Thursday are looking tricky work wise!

[AndrewWebber]

Shame, but my appointment has come through at 18.45 this coming Thursday evening, I could be there (or nearby) in the Elite, anytime from 15.30 until say 18.00, please let me know if your availability improves....if not we'll sort something else out in the future...

Thanks Andy