pfallon

Hi Filip, there's a S1 504 being auctioned on the 12th March at Brooklands. No reserve and it seems to have had some money spent on it. http://www.historics.co.uk/buying/auctions/2016-03-12/cars/ref-18-1979-lotus-elite.aspx?p=

One of those really expensive Elites!

"Because she's worth it". As someone who know's zilch about what goes on underneath I really have to use the services of a specialist garage, at least to get her recommissioned after 25 years laid up. I feel very fortunate to have found as company called Maidstone Sports Cars who have done an amazing job. New parts cost what they do and high quality labour can't be bought cheaply. I don't view my car as a cheap classic but as an equal to any contemporary 70's Ferrari or Porsche. On the run home she was happy to go easily too 100 and knowing that the owner of the garage had already done a 30mile test drive on different roads types I felt very confident in the car and the work carried out. Having been looking on and off these past four years I haven't seen any minters for 5k just lot of sad and neglected cars. When my one became available I knew it was the right one. The term "time warp condition" would very easily apply as its only effectively been on the road for 10 years of it life. The guy that over saw the recommission believed she'd been maintained "money no object" whistle in use so I'm kind of continuing in that tradition. I do envy those that can diagnose a problem and fix it with confidence them selfs, I can't. As far as removing a fuel tank to replace a sender and fit a new fuel pump it might as well be a space shuttle for all I know so I'm happy to let someone who restores classic F1 cars for a living lose on my car. Sorry this is a bit long and I don't mean to sermonise but she really is worth it, and I do think Elite's are the equal of any of their contemporaries. If people started to believe this then fewer might end up broken and scraped.

Hi Gavin, I spent forever umming and ahhing, waiting for a perfect 2.2 to come along and none did. All there seemed to be were series 1 basket cases. I finally took the plunge on a 1979 504 at a classic auction three months ago. It was billed as a car that had been kept sorn for 25 years as part of a collection but had been maintained and would be sold serviced and mot'd, it was also a nice colour and seemed from the pics to be in fairly good condition. At the auction it turned out it had failed the mot (hand brake, indicators and front suspension bits). The auction chap guesstimated £300 to sort it. I decided to bid for it and had a cut off of around £9,000 with a view that another £3000 for recommissioning would take me up to my limit. I won the auction and the price with fees came just under 9k. It then cost £300 to get it trailered to a specialist Lotus garage, £300 for new tyres and £2000 to sort the mot fails. £650 for new fuel pump and sender inc labour, £350 for some rear belts and a bit more for other fettling. I was very lucky that that original chassis was in perfect condition without rust and so I got it waxoiled (£300) There's still the windscreen to replace due to a micro crack and I'll get the headlining sorted at the same time (maybe another £1000?) All in, if nothing else fails mechanically or electrically, buying it (inc auction fees) and recommisiong it will have come to just under £14,500. I think this is a resonable price to pay for a seldom seem motor car and fair compared to todays prices for contemporary cars of its ilk. I think if you pay the asking price and factor in you lack of diy skills (like me) then another £12,000 might see you with a fantasic looking and performing Elite 502, in you're choice of (original) colour with a brand new interior and sorted mechanics and to my mind worth the cost. If the chassis proves to be ok then I believe that would be realistic price to save another Elite form the scrap heap. It sounds scary but it is just money after all. Once you've signed the direct debit form you can forget about the cost. If you decided to go ahead though, make sure you've got a first rate sepicalist garage who know Lotus' and classic cars in general because they're going to become your new BFF's. Good luck.

Thanks to everyone for the replies and encouragement. Having dragged my wife and daughter to the Pageant on and off these past few years now we have our very own classic my daughters very keen to show her off and bask in the motor show "glamour". I'll have to comply with her wishes and fork out the fiver entry fee and plan some kind of seventies themed picnic. That's all good fun and I'll have to play my part and learn some Lotus facts should anyone ask questions, but I'm also hoping to learn as much as I can from the day. Why the right indicator blinks but the left doesn't? what's that funny sound? should that really do that? etc. So really looking forward to meeting other owners and even maybe learn how to "fix" things or a least discover what to worry about and what not to. I'm also very proud of our new car and also looking forward to doing a bit of basking. It's been 40 years since my dad told me we'd be getting a Vauxhall Chevette and not a Lotus. I've finally been able to put that shame behind me. I wonder how old my daughter will be when she gets her blue 74 Countach? Hopefully there will be some other examples of seventies Norfolk wedgyness this June. Come and say hello. Mines the Gold one.

Hello to everyone, I haven't been very active since joining some months ago because I've not had much to talk about, but now I have. I'am now the very proud owner of a Gold Elite 504 (CYH 803V) People might remember one for sale in March at the Historics auction? Well I decided that it would be mine and finally it is. I collected it this Saturday from Maidstone Sports Cars after quite a period of recommissioning. It turns out the hammer price was just the "first instalment". But with new rear brakes, fuel pump, fuel sender, anti roll bar and all manner of other bits and bobs along with some rear seat belts and a little bit of paint and some oil it's ready to meet the world. So is was thinking of entering it in the Bromley Pageant next month and wondered if any other Elite/Eclat owners would be there? it's my first foray into classic ownership and whilst I know next to nothing about what happens under the bonnet I would like to find out more. From looking round the forum there does seem to be a small but thriving South London Lotus scene. It'd be great to hear from anyone thinking of going. So hopfully.... cheers everyone Paul

Thanks for the welcome Duncan. I've been watching the sales over the past few years and agree its a bit of a waiting game. I don't think i want to compromise though so it's S2 all the way. best Paul

Hello to everyone. I'm looking for a car in good mechanical order with reasonable service record. I don't mind if it's a bit tatty or in need of a respray. I'm in Bromley so anywhere in London or SE. Thanks Paul