Dunc

doesnt that one have an integral bellhousing to mate to the E30 engine? You would need some sort of adaptor plate. The beauty of the earlier BMW 5speeds (getrag 265) was the removable bellhousing for which there are a number of options available. I suppose your gearbox choice would probably rest with whats easy to attach to that Lexus V8?

I think a realistic probate valuation (i.e. what you could actually expect to receive in your hand rather than advertise it for) would be around £7-8K for a 521 eclat on a galvanised chassis in very good condition (condition 1). A concours (show winning) car might get a bit higher. Even at this level, it would take a while to actually sell the car, as these cars arent the most liquid market in terms of good cars and good buyers willing to pay for a good car. I disagree with Mike above in saying that the eclat is more popular than the elite (although that certainly used to be the case). The Elite commands a small premium over an equivalent eclat in the current market (and I have no idea why as Elites are hideous...) ;-). As far as the dealer quotes you have received - view them as what they are - a dealer looking to make a quick 5-6K on an estate sale. I have a part restored eclat series 1 on a galvanised chassis that has no doors and hasnt moved in 20 odd years and I wouldnt sell that for £1.5K If you want me to view it and give you an honest opinion of what I think you realistically could sell it for, post up some pictures, or email them to me at: elite-eclat-register@hotmail.com best wishes Duncan

It's been done before.... :-) There is a chap in California I think who is a member on here. Yellow elite with electrics. Personally I'd go for octane, but each to their own!

Welcome Nick - I see that you are a mate of Froggie of crazy reliant kitten fame. I am a schoolmate/general mucker of Faero (Phil) of ridiculous SAAB 9K fame.. The Toyota V8 engine will fit in the elite/eclat as it's been done before, as has the rover V8. You might find that the chassis space on an S1 is a bit tight for the 6 speed BMW box (unless the box is very small). The eclat S2 chassis and excel chassis can accomodate the toyota supra box (w57/w58?) box which was standard fit on the excel, but I believe it doesn't fit in an S1 chassis without some butchering. Whilst the diff probably would end up being the weakest part of the architecture, I have yet to break my one (running a modded 4.6 V8) and there are crown wheel and pinion options available (allbeit rare in Scimitar 3.53:1 form and expensive in custom Billy Bellinger form). A powerlok or quaife is also available for the salisbury 7HA diff which is in the back of your car. Have a look to see which variant you have - the Salisbury 7HA came in 3.73:1 and 4.1:1 variants. The 4.1 is a bit short on a V8 conversion but makes for hilarious fun. The 3.73 is an altogether more sensible option (particularly with a decent overdriven gearbox box) and easily obtainable. As far as brakes go...the 3 pot Jaguar calipers are actually pretty decent - they were good enough to stop an XJ12. It is the discs themselves that are the limiting factor. I've looked at alternatives and was pursuing a line of equiry on a PSA vented disc of very similar dimensions, which would need re-drilled. I honestly wouldnt bother uprating the calipers to something else with the standard discs asI dont think you would see much improvement. You might also want to look at front wishbone location, as the standard arrangement of controlling the fore-aft movement with little bushes off the end of the ARB is a bit meeeh... Some guys in the states were racing an elite (allbeit one with a much heavier chrysler V8) and they had issues in this department. Drive shaft UJ's will become a consumable.... Lots of fun to be had!

The modification suggested by Michael in Ireland (Blackeclat) is very worthwhile now that you've got them out. Pick a spot for a grease nipple thats accessible and drill a hole into the hubcarrier, tap it and put a nipple in. You can then pump this full of grease on a periodic basis and they shoudl never be so hard to remove again. I needed a hydraulic press to remove mine and destroyed the stud pressing it out. One small mistake I did was that I put nipples on the bottom of the hub carrier thinking that was the best spot, but if I was doing it again I would have the nipple pointing horizontally inwards to avoid it catchingon something.

Can you share the approximate cost of respray, and if you leave your cars outside in the frost? Down here, the going rate for someone good to paint a glassfibre car seems to be 5-7K, which is more than I'm willing to commit at present hence my thoughts on wrapping it. I can repair it and flatten it myself, but worry about moisture in paint if I spray it. The plastic bits on my motorbike are also bubbling 2-3 years after they were done - it lives outside in the frost..

Unless you already have one - I've heard that S2 spoilers are currently unavailable from Lotus bits. Headlinging can be done after paint, most people do. The most innovative solution I have seen is John"theNut"'s idea of using a false ceiling taken from an MPV and cutting rectangles which get held up by the cant rails. Means it will never fall down again. Paint on glassfibre is specialised. My cars currently looking a bit tired and I have some cracks that will require a repair. I'm looking at wrapping it yellow. I've been quoted £1400 for a yellow wrap.

Yes - S1 is different freom S2. From memory an S1 visor is essentially a wire frame covered in fabric/cardboard. S2 is a bit more robust and clearly a "purchased from elsewhere" part. The clip in and out plastic retainer on the S2 are often brittle and they are unobtaineoum nowdays. Somebody mused allegro as a source, but I never got that confirmed (I have a broken one).

I know who owns the bottom one.... Didnt the chap with the red Donnington also have a 4.6? His must be sorn'd.

I've seen pictures of your car Simon -it's a proper stunner. Lucky man.

I realise that I am probably in a minority of one, but I properly love what this guy has done to his eclat. Needs a yellow S2 bib on the front and a pair of seats and harnesses to complete the look. (more pics on the link below) https://gocar.be/en/classic-car/Lotus/Sonstige/Eclat-qbbyhsaz

Has the fuel pump been swapped out for another or is it on its original pump?

Do they not require the chassis number to get a replacement V5? That was the issue I had with mine - VRM was attached to the car, but the chassis plate was missing. The paper V5 eventually turned up and I sent it off. I have a set of stamps and a blank chassis plate which I can use so it wears its original identity again, but until the old V5 turned up, I had no idea what the original chasiss number was supposed to be.

I'd clean up both mating faces as well as you can to help it seal it on both sides. Whilst I agree that excess gasket sealant everywhere on the oil side of an engine isn't a good idea - I'd not be that fussed about it on the induction side downstream from the carbs. Whats the worst that can happen? If surplus hylomar gets injested it should blow down the exhaust. Slap it on I'd say - but just use one gasket.

On a 1978 series 1 - it isnt stamped on the chassis itself. It's only on the plaque on the inner wing. If that is missing, wee have a bit of an issue....

I assume you know that chapman's martini green elite (the one that went to Japan) originally had a 2.2 911 engine. It was replaced with a normal 907 engine off the line when Lotus sold it on. I always wondered how it had been fitted as I knew the sum from the 911 didnt work for an elite. It is likely that this engine is somebodies home brew project, but you never know....

I can take some pics Don, but the eclat v8 lives in a rented garage a few streets away, so it will take a while. The inertia drums went to the outside. It seemed more normal pulling the belt across from the outer side than pulling it from the centre. I bought stainless steel rear seatbelt plates from Lotus bits and fitted them. I used the inertia reel lap belt to secure a Britax Prince child seat. The Britax Prince was one of the few child seats that was certified for use with a lap belt and narrow enough to fit into the bucket seat of the eclat. I also used the lap belt to secure a maxi cosi pebble base, which allowed me to click in a baby capsule. I have been dragging my two kids to classic car shows since they were months old.

and change the pad at the rear crossmember for closed cell foam. (I realise it is galvanised, but its still better to be dry than be a wet sponge).

I bought and fitted a set from ebay. Concealling the drum behind the panel was a tight fit, but it worked. They have been fitted for 10 years. I cant remember the exact brand, but I think they were Securon. Most would fit.

I had a phone conversation this morning and can share some very exciting news! We will soon be able to buy new elite and Eclat galvanised chassis made to the original specification. As we know from the restoration threads on here, it’s been getting harder and harder to source decent second hand chassis’s, with Lotusbits unable to source used ones in sufficient quantities to meet demands of owners embarking on restorations. im absolutely delighted that someone has picked up the gauntlet and made an investment which will not only safeguard our card on the road, but also see laid up examples suddenly become viable restoration projects. Prices are expected to be in the region £2.5k +vat. contact Lotusbits directly to place orders. As always with Lotusbits, it’s best to call them with the telephone rather than email. Dunc

A rover v8 and box fits quite nicely. Lots of other optionas are also possible, but be careful of weight and engine height. The car in the pictures isnt worth £900. £450 would be closer. Windsheilds are expensive to replace. The missing chrome around the screen is also expensive to replace. Go for it.

My eclat S2 has Lucas motors from a Tr7 and my eclat excel used the same.

Love this Michael! has to be an elite/eclat thing! 🤣🤣🤣 (I did similar going to Hethel for the 70)

your location will help buyers Duncan...

to nobody's surprise I present the artwork from my little boys bedroom: