Any experience with the Lotus Eclat? | FerrariChat
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Any experience with the Lotus Eclat?

Discussion in 'British' started by GrigioGuy, Dec 17, 2017.

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  1. GrigioGuy

    GrigioGuy Splenda Daddy
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    #1 GrigioGuy, Dec 17, 2017
    I'm plotting 2019 and 2020 plans. Right now we're sort of leaning between C3 vette and a DMC-12, but the idea of something British is also interesting. The Esprit is too close in mission to the 328, but the Eclat is another beast entirely. Does anyone have experience with the care and feeding of these 70s cars? They are rare here in the States.
     
  2. David Lind

    David Lind Formula 3

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    #2 David Lind, Dec 17, 2017
    Run Forest, run!
     
  3. David Lind

    David Lind Formula 3

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    #3 David Lind, Dec 20, 2017
    I had researched these cars about 15 years ago. The 2.2 litre engine is reputedly pretty robust, and I learned that you can get more power out of it than the 140 listed. The later Eclats had quite a few Toyota components, such as transmission, brakes, etc., so those parts should be reliable. Electrics, interior components and some body parts were the weak links I uncovered. But the biggest problem is that the cars have such a low market value it makes no economic sense to restore one. If you could get a great, well-maintained drive-it-now car at a price you like, then maybe it will bring you joy. If not, ...
     
  4. rdefabri

    rdefabri Three Time F1 World Champ

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    #4 rdefabri, Dec 22, 2017
    I like the Toyota component Éclat / Excel - always thought they resembled the Supra, maybe not by accident. I also like the Lotus M100 / Elan.
     
  5. David Lind

    David Lind Formula 3

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    #5 David Lind, Dec 22, 2017
    I think the Lotuses pre-date the Supra by large margins, but I could be mistaken.
     
  6. rdefabri

    rdefabri Three Time F1 World Champ

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    #6 rdefabri, Dec 22, 2017
    Yes they do - was it called the "Elite"?
     
  7. GrigioGuy

    GrigioGuy Splenda Daddy
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    #7 GrigioGuy, Dec 22, 2017
  8. David Lind

    David Lind Formula 3

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    #8 David Lind, Dec 22, 2017
    It was the Elite. The Eclat, or Sprint as it was called in the US, was a more sloped back version of the Elite. Slightly less rear seat room & slightly less weight. I vividly remember the R & T test caption of, "The Thrill Is Back; Lotus Performs" or something pretty close.
    BTW: my sources of info on the 2.2 litre engine included one-on-ones with Doc Bundy, David Murry and other principals of the Lotusport IMSA championship team. Although I saw Paul Newman race for them 2 or 3 times, I never got any info from him wrt the 2.2 powerplant. I'm sure you know that the IMSA Esprit team was powered by a turbo version of that same 2.2 engine. And the turbocharged engine for the Esprit will fit in a Sprint. (Don't know about the bellhousing matching up to the Sprint transmission, but somebody will know about that.)
    Also know that the guys at RegoRacing (Texas) still run Bundy in vintage races in a Lotus 23B and in one of Mario Andretti's - wait for it - Formula 1 championship winning Lotus 79's! There are great guys at Rego, and I would give them a call. Very friendly car nuts with those great toys.
     

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