Elite/Eclat/Excel video & picture thread!

[Loose Cannon]

A great snapshot of a time gone by, quite literally. Love that white turbo with the chocolate interior!

I notice the Euro spec Elite of the time had Elan (or that should be Alfa Romeo) rear lights. I wonder why? Was there somthing unsuitable about the Jensen Healey units?

[Testdriver]

what's this? Radio and Equalizer? 

[phoenix]

Many thanks for the pics . You have a lovely car.

The overhead panel is a stereo equaliser inspired by Jetranger helicopter overhead panels. I figure Chapman being a pilot thought it complemented the exotic styling. Lotus put them in the first Essex turbos and I guess this one found its way into this car. It was made back in the day by Panasonic and sold as an aftermarket system. Someone told me that in order to make them fit, Lotus had to cut something like an inch or so from the rear end. If you are lucky enough to find one of these stereos these days, they are not cheap.

[Loose Cannon]

Weren't the Panasonic consoles intended for boats originally? If so Chapman may have come across them as he also owned Moonraker Marine.

[phoenix]

Maybe but they were marketed for cars.

We are going back to a technotronic era when everyone was turned on by fitting flashing LED's with knobs and square buttons and nonsense equalisers as aftermarket enhancements. They did look cool though.....

[Loose Cannon]

Awesome, not seen that advert before.

[Testdriver]

really cool, thanks for sharing!

[Loose Cannon]

What does the bit at the back do? (thats cut off for the Esprit). Is that a grille or a diffuser? An interior light maybe.

[phoenix]

11 minutes ago, Loose Cannon said:

What does the bit at the back do? (thats cut off for the Esprit). Is that a grille or a diffuser? An interior light maybe.

That is the cockpit dome light. It appears to have two forward facing spots as found on the elite/éclat which shone onto non illuminated Lucas switchgear. I am assuming that this lighting was removed on early esprit Turbos which would make it more than an inch but maybe an Essex owner can shed more light on it (forgive the pun).

[oilmagnet477]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RARE-OVERHEAD-COCKPIT-RM610E-PANASONIC-CAR-STEREO-/171955523553?nma=true&si=p4KJ2HJhRpLUnW7NKQEsTkKtGEo%3D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

Ended item but some really funky photos giving clearer detail.

Dare I say 'I want one'!!

Really cool way to hold up a sagging headlining!

[Don.Hasi]

16 hours ago, Loose Cannon said:

I notice the Euro spec Elite of the time had Elan (or that should be Alfa Romeo) rear lights

It was not for the Euro just for Switzerland afaik. There were more like this delivered with these rear lights.

[mikeeech]

There was one for sale in the UK recently for £100 on ebay. I was sorely tempted for my elite but thought better of it. A bit too bling

[nello]

IIRC the Panasonic 'Cockpit' stereo was actually specc'ed by David Thieme of Essex Petroleum. At the time they were almost certainly the 'blingiest' and most flash thing you could have in your car . It most certainly matched his style - he only wanted the best along with SunDym glass and wilton carpets. No wonder the Essex was so expensive when launched. Post Essex production they were something like a £1500 option to have installed - and this is is in 1981!!! - probably about £6k in todays money so that was some sound system. IMO they still look great though - even now....

Edited October 18, 2016 by nello

[Loose Cannon]

Six......grand.

 

[nello]

In 1981 these bad boys were the worlds first 'laptops'' and were a stonking $1800 quid - about the same price as the Cockpit Stereo - with a whole 64 k of RAM!!

 

I'd have taken the Panasonic anyday! 

 

Edited October 18, 2016 by nello

[Tocus]

yesss i have one inside my esprit!

 

its the first turbo esprit ever made after the essex run, thats why it has a RM610

[Testdriver]

nice one! Does it work?

[Loose Cannon]

MMmmm you can almost smell the Hamlet cigars in there!

[Dunc]

Roy of the Rovers upgraded to a Lotus.

[phoenix]

Love it...... 

I am always amazed as to how the elites are still so relatively undervalued today despite how much publicity they got back in the day considering the small numbers made. 

[Tocus]

On 19-10-2016 at 10:12, Testdriver said:

nice one! Does it work?

yess mine roof radio works perfect! also eqaulizer!

[Loose Cannon]

23 hours ago, phoenix said:

Love it...... 

I am always amazed as to how the elites are still so relatively undervalued today despite how much publicity they got back in the day considering the small numbers made. 

From memory the Elite seemed to fall out of favour very quickly. It wasn't as bad as something like the Renault Fuego, which was trendy for about half an hour then a joke for 20 years, but not far off.

When a neighbour bought a new Elite in 1982 it was considered distinctly old hat; a beardy enthusiasts choice only, when the punters who just looked at performance figures and prices would have plumped for a cheaper 3 litre Capri or a 635.

[Hawaiis0]

 

First Drive Out of the year.  Raining so no other Lotus' out 

 

[Testdriver]

Beauty ??

[Iome]

This is already a month old photo. And just a every day life photo from a shopping mall parking lot. But I like it how Elite stands next to more ordinary cars like Mondeo or Leon here.  Happy new year everybody!