The Lotus Grand Tourers

Spotted yesterday on the M5 northbound in Gloucestershire at around 2.30 pm - a nice looking gold Eclat with the registration HAN 91W. It looked as though it had been rescued hopefully for restoration by somebody. Initially I thought it was an S2.2 because of the W registration, but then I realised that as both headlights were up it was probably a late S1; also it was on the trailer tail first so I couldn’t see the rear to check.

Anyway it looks a nice project and the car did look great in gold.

Cheers, Richard

I've just been offered this very car from the person seen trailering it 4 years ago by Richard.

Any thoughts on it, I'm new to Lotus but have been restoring cars for 30 years.

I'm guessing rotten chassis and I've read that the engines are highly strung.

Anything else to watch out for ?

Its an auto thats had a carb fire at some point but its been in dry storage for a long time, no online MOT history.

It seem pretty complete from what I have seen in the photos.

There are 2 Eclats albeit Series 2s on eBay currently for peanuts and attracting very little interest.

Regards, Karl.

You need to watch this video....

viewtopic.php?t=13480

Essentially they are simple cars, but make sure you change the cambelt. If you have been restoring cars you shouldnt have any problem sorting a Lotus.

Bash

As an example, if I briefly summarise the 'maintenance' history on my 1978 Elite S1, that still looks and runs okay:

Gearbox rebuild / clutch at 50k miles
Chassis change (from untreated to a galvanised one) in 1990 at 90k miles, engine, diff, rear drive shafts, bearings and clutch / gearbox , brakes rebuild, exhaust at the same time. (this was the typical moment many got scrapped / stored away 'for ever'...) air con, defunct by now and disconnected
Front suspension, bushes, trunions, brakes, power steering pump, headlining at 130k miles
Third gearbox rebuild (this is weaker 'Lotus' 5 speed not Getrag), radiator at 145k miles,
Diff and rear end drive line / bearings, wheels rebuild/machined at 155k
Front and rear bumper refurb. Water pump, cam belt tensioner, later type cam sprockets / belt, front cam oil seals, set valve bucket shims at 157k miles
Mileage now 160k, still on points / mechanical advance, 'factory' electrics, original carbs. Headlining is 'held up (assisted)' with thin coloured aluminium strips a tight fit across the car spaced 100mm or so apart for an 'elegant fit and forget' solution to this ongoing issue for many!

Annual services as per book, including cam belt every 3-5 years.

I'm in the 'use them' camp. I think it helps, and even the 2 litre version of the engine in these cars, will keep pace with everyday traffic relatively easily. Unless it is really bad I'd always favour not messing with the factory paint / fibreglass...once you start it will eat money and time to get anything like a good result. (and then may well be too precious to use)

Andy

Thanks Andy.

Its a gold one like the one in your profile, I think its a nice car in that colour.

Indeed, period appropriate, 'Championship Gold' although in my case with a slightly strange choice of a brown (as opposed to black) vinyl roof!

Andy