Writing a Book on Elite, Eclat and Excel......

[MattElan]

Hi there

I'm Matt Vale (ex Elite 504 owner and currently restoring an Elan Plus 2) - my hobby (apart from restoring cars and British bikes) is writing books - look me up on Amazon.
I am currently writing a book on the Elite, Eclat and Excel range and would like to meet up with any owners of said cars, as I like to include owners impressions (and trials and tribulations in my books. Any car does not need to be factory original or conkers (although that would be nice) I'm also interested in usable classics and any interesting modifications (such as Rover V8 versions) are of interest!
So if anyone is interested then I'd be pleased to meet up; I'm based in Fleet, in Hampshire but am happy to travel to the right car. As a bribe, anyone whose car is featured or photographed for the book gets a free copy - and I'll even sign it if you really want......I look forward to hearing from some enthusiasts!

[MrCoolA]

Welcome.

I am sure you will get lots of takers.. There are lots of variants on here as I am sure you will have seen just by searching posts, if you haven't then it may be a good place to start. Not many roverV8 conversions ( thank god) but Mr Pete Boole has a mothering V8 and several of us have uprated 912 engines. I run 253hp on a 2.2 and Kieran runs a 2.5 912....

[STELL]

If you do ever come to Sweden there are quite a few well maintained cars here. The ones sold here Were all fully equiped but only with the 160Hp Engine. The choise was what interior and exterior color the customer wanted. there is now some cars with the 180 Hp Engines. but they are either imports or rebuilds.

[Pjr]

Hi, welcome,

I have a slightly tatty July 83 eclat excel, w/o any spoilers and with the contrasting bumpers and sills if that's any interest to you. If you look at my other posts you can see the odd photo of her. Located in Gloucestershire. Good luck.

Phil

[Leigh]

I'll be happy to talk to you about my Essex Elite and its interesting history. Has anyone mentioned the name Michael Marsh to you? He wrote half a book about the Elite, then sold his car(s) and the book never made progress after that. He's a really nice guy and might be willing to share his research with you.

Leigh
Oxford

[fueltheburn]

Happy to loan out Ethel once finished after this coming month.
Always travelling down south to see family.
There is a definite story behind this one.
Slightly tweaked too

[amarshall]

Slightly ratty high mileage workhorse of an SE here. Veteran of many miles around Europe.

Why not pop in to the club stand at the NEC in November and meet some of us there ?

[tonypoll]

Matt, I'm in Yateley, all of 5 miles from you, and am often in Fleet.
Would be happy to meet up.
I've had my Excel about 12 years.

[Danny]

Hi, I have an Eclat 2.2 it was originally a road car but having got into Motorsport, I have with the help of friends converted it for circuit racing, sprints and hillclimbs, this has involved modifying allmost every part of the car and building and fitting a comprehensive roll cage. Up until about 4 years ago the car was being regularly raced, but an engine failure has meant that the car has been laid up. It has been rebuilt and just requires rolling road tuning, but this has been put on hold due to other current commitments. I'm based in bedfordshire should you wish to view the car and chat about it.
Regards Dan

[alanbell]

glad that writing books is just a hobby because you certainly will not get rich on the back of a book about our cars since the total number remaining is so small, however I wish you all the best with the project.
there are several authoritative books on the subject but they are old and there is little about how well the cars have survived, some covering mileages that rival those achieved by everyday major manufacturers cars. nor is there anything about how a few have been developed by their owners with or without the help of companies like lotus bits and gary kemp. google lotus bits to see what is possible using the original engines, gearbox and diff. unfortunately there is not many of these as it is an expensive pastime and the value of the cars remains so low at present that the cost is unlikely to be recoverable.

[don.hasi]

Brave plan

v8conversions have had their time in the late 90s. Nowadays the (potential) owners are proud of their proper Lotus engine.

Some of the best examples of the wedge owners already have answered. Listen to them carefully. And the NEC should be on your timer, definitely.

Good luck and 1 example for me please

[alanmoss]

Happy to help if I can. I will be on the Sporting Bears Dream Rides at the NEC.
Best wishes for your project.

[shaunw]

Hi and welcome,

I live in Waterlooville Hants and I'd be more than happy to help with the book. I have owned two Excels. Years ago, as a twenty something, I shunned XR3Is etc and bought a very low mileage Excel, I now own what I hope people would consider to be an excellent example 1990 SE. I've certainly got a few tails to tell (good and bad!) Not sure if your interested in photos at this stage but I'm happy to help.I'm sure a few of us could arrange to all meet up? Judging from the interest, it may end up being a big book

Regards

Shaun

[Hawaiis0]

I have a SA automatic if you need one to peruse. relatively close in oxfordshire.

[B. Swankie]

Hi Matt, I am fortunate enough to own several of these fine motors, one of which is the first prototype vehicle, chassis no. 1144 which is the first of 4 prototypes built before production started. The car has been fully restored to its former glory and is currently on loan to The Dundee Museum of Transport up here in bonnie Scotland. I have a fully documented photo record of the restoration that shows the various interesting unique parts on the car that were discovered during the refurb, that you are more that welcome to have access to, as they will I am sure be of interest to you. I also own chassis no1148 which is waiting to be restored, I am currently restoring chassis no2144 (for my wife !!!!), and there are another 2 or 3 hanging about waiting, as well as a 1990 car that is my daily runabout. If you require any more info please feel free to get in touch.
Cheers,
Brian Swankie.