Uncle Al

Thanks for the info! If I’m brave I’m hoping to attend the Castle Combe event, the weather looks a little ‘touch and go’ but it’s the 50th - it’s not going to happen again anytime soon is it 😂. It will also be a circa 300mile round trip for the 50 year old girl…what could go wrong!?! Any idea of how many Elites looking to attend?👍

Hi All, is there going to be an event to celebrate 50 years of the Elite? I attended the NEC back in March and I believe there was talk of getting as many Wedges together as possible to celebrate this milestone occasion? Sorry if I’m slow on the uptake or missed anything, both myself and our Elite are 50 very soon and I’m looking for the perfect excuse for a party!

Just out of interest will this event incorporate the 50th Anniversary of the ‘Wedge’? I know this was covered at the NEC back in March but I heard that a track day was being organised to get as many Elites/Eclat’s/Excels/Esprit’s as possible - but I could be wrong?

Hi All, For anyone missing their original carpets and confused on the fitting of the Coverdale carpet set kit - the below link was absolute gold - so a big thanks to the original poster! In the kit you receive what initially looked like some odd shaped parts that you think OMG! I tripped over the below link over the festive season and having shied away from the fitting this spurred me into action! 🙂. Time wise including fitting/securing the underlay each side took approx. 5hrs, this included all prep, seat removal (reinstall), lots of coffee and then standing back to admire etc, you could do both sides in a day if you were keen. Some trimming/cutting is needed but just measure twice/three times then cut and you'll be fine. Then you will also need to make the holes for the seatbelt anchorage points and seat bolts, again just check two or three times before cutting. Have also attached a couple of pics that without the help on here would not have been possible! https://forums.thelotusforums.com/topic/82457-eliteeclat-s1-carpet-pieces-fitment/

Hi, I thought I’d share something that maybe of interest or help. For some time the consistency of the earth switching for the interior light has been somewhat hit and miss and I found this on eBay. All fitted and working with no modifications the switch pops in and is held tight and snug in the original hole. That’s the drivers side done, just the passenger one now and very pleased with the fit and forget solution. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/203786943802?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0&ssspo=HPjIXjdfS_S&sssrc=4429486&ssuid=NyuLgkBeRuS&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Thanks for the love of the brown. From 2016 until 2022 it was seven shades of black - my uncle wanted to make a JPS Elite and there was even a full size JPS sticker/print (self adhesive) that was rolled up in the boot and now hangs on the garage wall. TBH, I'm not keen on Sable Brown but I wanted the original colour. I think you can make subtle changes and enhancements but personally I feel the colour should be as it left the factory - odd I know! Although I have started to warm to it, I'm really envious of the purples, the greens and the silvers. Even black does look good, actually all colours look good just not brown! Although I mentioned this on my first post back in 2016, the car was registered less than 3 wks after I was born in 1974, and the engine was built in July 74 - it was being made I was being made.....it makes for a very strange connection of sorts. To note, I've also gone down a very unusual track of recommissioning and have followed my senses with certain choices. For example the engine was built by a Rover V8 specialist and the mechanical commissioning works completed by a Norfolk TVR specialist, I was on a budget and it has seemed to have worked so far. Loving all of the cars posted - nothing like a wedge 🙂.

Just a few pics of my project which started after my late uncles passing in 2016….it’s been a journey - one that started in 1978 when I first saw it! Just the interior to do now…

I’m not sure if it’s the same for the series 2, but the radiator fans on my 74 502 will run continuously if the AC is on…

Hi, I have a pair of non air con Elite S1 front springs, less than 12 months old and only 300 miles use. I’m running a 502 with air con and as you all know the spring rate is different causing a little too low stance at the front. I’ve now swapped to the correct ones and these are redundant - any takers for these nearly new springs at £40 the pair?

Hi Tony, I’ve used the standard Excel seat runners, or to put it simply: the seats came out of the Excel and bolted straight into the Elite, no mods no brackets - away you go. I must admit I was totally surprised, so if anyone is any doubt; there is no doubt the holes aligned mm perfect.😀. The rear seats though might be a totally different story, I can update shortly as I have the Excel ones too.

Thanks Pete, it’s just the colour which is a shame but I’ll look to re-cover accordingly when time/funds permit. I’ve a new carpet set to go in too (correct brown colour) but the seats are a big thing as I’m just trying to get some miles under its belt from an engine rebuild and the position is so much nicer. Re:original seats, I was adamant to reuse the old ones for sentimental reasons but after new sponge, new covers etc, it will only be the original frame left, so I’m pondering to keep the excel ones now, decisions-decisions!

Hi all, a question came up a little while ago regarding the compatibility of the excel seats into an elite/eclat. I recently purchased a pair of low mileage seats from a donor excel to temporarily replace my original 74 Elites and they fit perfectly with no mods required. All dimensions of the seat mounting frame are identical allowing for a quick and easy swap out. Although the wrong colour I’m pleased that my rear is now not on the floor vastly improving the driving position. Hope this helps, Matthew.

In fairness that doesn’t sound too bad and as you say you will have a new 1975 car, what’s not to like? Best of all we need Lotusbits, SJS, Spyder Eng etc, etc to be around for another 20+ years especially with the advent of the recent interest in the 70’s wedges. If we lose these cottage industry businesses who else is going to support them?

If you paid £3.5k you did very well, look what this recently went for. 10 years ago that would be one tenth of that or unfortunately scrap. From the pictures of yours I would have thought a ‘recommission’ was needed rather than a restoration? Could you not put it in for an MoT and see what it fails on and go from there? I wouldn’t be surprised if you could make change from £20k if you were sensible….very sensible.😂

That is a good shout….watch this space.👍