Sprint Decal

[richj]

Hi everyone

Looking if anyone knows where I can locate a Union Jack Sprint decal for the rear panel on my 521 Sprint, or at least have one made up? Mine is missing.

Also, as I understand it the very first sprint had painted decals and mine was the first to go vinyl, anyone know if that included the boot lid itself?

Regards

Rich

[rjwooll]

12 hours ago, richj said:

Hi everyone

Looking if anyone knows where I can locate a Union Jack Sprint decal for the rear panel on my 521 Sprint, or at least have one made up? Mine is missing.

Also, as I understand it the very first sprint had painted decals and mine was the first to go vinyl, anyone know if that included the boot lid itself?

Regards

Rich

I've used isaydingdong.co.uk before for stickers. They already have quite a good selection of Lotus Eclat stickers, but not the 'Sprint' or union jack stickers unfortunately. I don't have a colour picture of the union jack, just black & white in "The Third Generation Lotuses" by Graham Robson. They will creat custom stickers, but this will be more expensive than a normal one of course.

According to Oliver Winterbottom in "A Life in Car Design," the Sprint originated as a way of shifting 36 unsold white 4-speed Eclats. He "spent a Saturday morning 'tarting up' the cars, with black stripes and a Union Jack 'Sprint' logo on the rear." He says that all 36 sold by the following Tuesday! Graham Robson says that there were both 520 and 521 versions of the Sprint, with the 520 Sprint having a special 5.5" cast alloy road wheel in place of the Lotus Cortina steel wheels fitted to the standard 520. There is no mention of these special alloys in the parts list, however.

To confuse matters further, Eclats for the US market were all called Sprints!

Oliver Winterbottom says no more were made after the original 36, implying there wouldn't have been a crossover between paint and vinyl; however, the parts list shows all the Sprint decals and stripes so maybe only a 'prototype' was painted, and the decals produced after they'd got the orders for the 36 they needed to sell?

Good luck and keep us posted with progress,

Richard

[richj]

Hi Richard

 

Thanks for the message..

I did hear of that story, I think it was Graham Arnold who had backed that up..

According to Andy at archives the first sprint had painted decals which must of proved to be unnecessary due to time and cost, mine is the second sprint which went onto have the vinyl decals, according to the build sheet remarks..

I'm on my third 521 sprint, pure sentiment I must add.. however I have seen quite a few differences between them all..

My first car had a few options, black vinyl roof, BBS type Alloys, Rear fog lamp bumper.. Decals were slightly different, black pin stripe around the decals themselves etc

Second sprint being a Dublin car naturally didn't have a Union Jack but was standard in every way

Current sprint is standard

Pics are of my old car.. Any one who knows where I can obtain these wheels and rear bumper, please let me know!

 

Cheers

 

Rich

 

[rjwooll]

That's interesting stuff, Rich. I'm sure isaydindong could produce that Sprint flag emblem using that photo if you have the dimensions - it's the first time I've seen it in colour.

I think I might have seen one of those bumpers at Lotusbits a few years ago - worth a call. I believe it is the one listed for use in the Swiss and Italian markets under part number A075B2233Z.

By the way, what is a standard Sprint? They seem to be the stuff of mystery and legend!

Cheers, Richard

[richj]

Hi Richard

 

Sorry for the late response..

Thanks for the idea re the rear bumper.. i'll try Steve

I was really hoping someone would have a clearer shot of the decal than what was on my old car...

Anyone?

As far as I am aware, there are fewer 521 sprints than 520. The car shown above had more on it from the factory than I expected.

Over the other Sprints that I had the car was fitted with;

Full vinyl roof

Bumper with fogs

Extra stripe decal in front of the front wheels

BBS Alloys

Factory sump guard.

So I think it's a little simplistic to say they were just decaled up and shipped out

Maybe that car was meant for someone within

 

Rich