Texas v8 Eclat

Matt that's a great gift! Can you adopt me?

I thought the comments were funny. Part of the reason for the pic was to see what people would say about it. Believe me I got a good laugh out of it. As far as daily driver, yes indeed this car is registered, inspected, insured and I love driving it every day to work and back. In fact, last week I took the valve covers off and sent them to the chrome shop and they said it would be two weeks before I see them again. Instead of dreading the idea that I would have to wait two weeks to drive my Eclat, I went out to the local junk yard and bought a set of temporary valve covers so I can still use my car. I must say; however, after I cleaned, sanded, and painted the temps they look better than I thought they would. I might hold off on installing the chrome covers when they do come in. For anyone out there looking for valve covers for a Buick 215 V8, try a set from a 1967 Buick Skylark. They look just like Chevy SBC valve covers when cleaned and painted properly. Cheers!

Merry Christmas from Texas!

Thanks Duncan. I realized after the fact that I should have posted this under suspension and ride handling. I'm sorry. Check out the Christmas tree I just picked up today. Happy Holidays!

I just wanted to wish all the Lotus enthusiasts out there a wonderful and merry Christmas and happy new year!

I noticed there was no step by step post on how to change the anti roll bar bushings on an Eclat S1. This will be me first attempt at posting a step by step (worked for me) guide this so please excuse me if I did something wrong. I am a Lotus enthusiast like many others on the forum and although I don't claim to be a professional mechanic; I have built many cars in the past. I enjoy working on automobiles. I am on my second Eclat and I plan to drive this until the wheels fall off. Agian I am new at this so please excuse if the pictures are not in the correct order. Step 1 Safety first! always use jack stands no matter how easy you believe the job is. If you plan to work under a vehicle always use jack stands! Below is a pic of my jack, jack stands, and newly purchased ARB bushing kit from SJ Sports Cars. Step 2 lift the front end by placing the jack under the proper lift points and securing with a jack stand. I used three jack stands for safety's sake. Remove the tires and you will be half way there. Step 3 I started with the sway bar to chassis bushings first. No special tricks or anything I just removed the bolts and the brackets, the bushings came right off. Step 4 Start at one wheel and remove the bolt that runs through the bottom of the trunnion and the lower wishbone. Gently pull the wheel assembly off the lower wishbone and this will allow to access to the nut that attaches the sway bar to the wishbone. Step 5 Remove the sway bar end nut and keep track of how the bushings and washers (common sense) were attached. Follow these steps with the other side and the sway bar is off in no time. Step 6 Replace the bushings, nuts, bolts, and washers in the order they were removed and reinstall the sway bar as well. Done! I tried to keep it short and to the the point and I hope it will come in handy to anyone planning on tackling this two hour job.

First and foremost, Happy Borthday US Marine Corps. I was wondering if anyone knows of a cross reference to the front dampers for a 1978 Eclat? I placed an order for the ARB bushing kit from SJ but since I am in the US I thought I would try to find some shocks here state side. The cost to ship larger items like shocks and struts is pretty high so I figured somebody out there might know of an alternative front shock that I can purchase at my local Napa, Autozone, Advance Auto Parts, Pep Boys, Etc.

Glad I came across this post. I am currently serving in the US Navy. I was deployed to Afghanistan from early 2011 to 2012. The proof is in the pudding. Here is a link to my holiday greeting. In the description, my branch of service is listed as US Army but I assure you I am Navy all the way. http://www.dvidshub.net/holiday/278477/petty-officer-3rd-class-rafaiel-alvarado#.UJ4P-6N5mK0 Im excited about the membership upgrade.

I finally got a few hours to my name and decided to put some time into the Eclat. I reworked the clutch cable as it was rubbing on the left side header and I also removed the rear brake drums to see the condition of the rear brakes. The brakes are good and the clutch cable is free from the undesired friction caused by rubbing against the header. I took some pictures and since I am new to the forum, I am not sure how I can upload the pics with my iPad. I hope this works! I guess it didn't work. Oh well I am still glad to be part of the forum again and thanks for the replies

No, my 1978 Eclat is yellow and I will have the pics up really soon.

I will take some pics and post them before the weekend. I just installed a new alternator last night and can't wait to take her to work in the morning.

Got my second Eclat recently and am very excited to get started with the tinkering. I owned the exact same model car back in 2005 but sold it because I had too many toys. That was the only car I ever regret selling and told myself since then, if I ever get the chance to get another one I will do it in a heartbeat. Long story short I found one! My new Eclat already has the Rover V8 conversion along with a Tremec T5 5 speed transmission. The interior is in near perfect condition and it drives very well. I am happy to be back on the forum and can't wait to read the posts.