Eclat S2.2 wanted for Classic & Sports Car test!

[Samdawson]

As the title suggests, I'm putting together a Classic & Sports Car twin-test, pitting an Eclat S2.2 up against its period rival designed by many of the same engineers - the TVR Tasmin 2+2.

We've located a Tasmin in Kent, and we now need a willing Eclat S2.2 owner to join us for a test and photoshoot somewhere in the South East depending on where you're based and where photographer Tony Baker can recommend.

If you're interested in taking part, email me on samdawson_jps72@hotmail.co.uk or give me a call on 0781 419 1880 and let me know. Then I can get in touch with Tony Baker, cross-check your availability with that of the Tasmin owner, and we'll go from there.

A Riviera model would be perfect but it's not essential - but it must be a 2.2 as opposed to a 2-litre.

Many thanks

Sam Dawson

Classic & Sports Car

[matk]

I'd have loved too, but I'm slowly working through a few gremlins on mine and wouldn't be ready for a realistic magazine road test for a couple of months.

Put it this way, I wouldn't want to enter into something like this until I can be 100% confident of showing the car in it's best light.

[Dunc]

I'd have offered mine which is a yellow eclat S2, but its got a 4.6 V8 fitted, so would probably not be what you are after.

But if you are ever running an article on modified classics, and on what a V8 transplant drives like in an eclat or elite, feel free to email me.

D

[matk]

I believe this article will be in the Sep edition with a black T reg Eclat

[eliteman]

Hi, I have an Elite S2 2.2, not sure if you would consider this? I am in Beckenham, Kent. There are pics of WNG 56X under Elite chat if you want to have a look? What mag is it for anyway? Cheers, Liam.

[Bibs]

Liam - All the info you need is in this thread. Read it again and you'll see what magazine it's for and you'll also see that the photo shoot has been completed.

I used to live and work in Beckenham, I was there for 7 years. Did you ever see any Esprits in town? Whereabouts are you?

[eliteman]

Cheers Bibs, didnt realise it was an old thread! Yes there used to be a couple of Esprit's knocking about Beckenham, a red S3 on westgate road and a blue S4 i think in a little gated development on the High street, was the blue one yours? We live on Chancery Lane but the Elite mostly lives in a garage in Shortlands.

I contacted Sam from Classic Car anyway and he is going to keep the Elite on his records, gotta promote these fine sports cars. Take care buddy!

[Bibs]

There was a silver V8 on Albermarle Road and I was just off Parish Lane, it's Esprit central! I've enjoyed a few pints in The Oakhill in my time, I used to work in Bromley Road a few doors down from the Natwest, small world!

[Dunc]

I chatted to the journo by email and suggested he contact Mike at Lotusbits, as if there are other S2 eclats in the area, he would probably know of them given we all use him for parts. I suggested they think about an S2 elite as I know of a couple of mint ones in Surrey, but as they had recently done an elite feature, the editor wanted an S2 eclat. Looks like they gave up looking for a 2.2 and went for an S1 eclat.

They wanted one with an original engine, which ruled my S2 V8 out. When I was in North Kent Lotus Group, I was the only eclat owner. I suggested he could perhaps contact John Hazell for his S2 auto, but they wanted a manual.

Looks like they gave up on an S2 local to Kent/Surrey/London and went for the black S1 instead.

http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=22318

D

[gghc87]

Article is out in the C&SC now. Bought it yesterday. They liked the Eclat

[Herc]

Yes, I saw the article too. The Eclat looked like the one on E-bay are few months ago - the one they were trying to get £10K for. There was quite a bit of debate on the forum about it at the time. Black with red leather interior, a nut and bolt restoration. V nice, if only it was an Elite

I believe it went for more like £7-8K in the end, after being relisted. A big price for an Eclat, but, let's be honest, a ridiculously low price by the standards of other classics. I paid more than that for an equivalent quality frog-eye- there is not much comparision between an A-Series and a 907. I only scanned the article, but the guy seemd to like the revvy engine, and the handling, and the general bespoke feel over the TVR.

Herc

[gghc87]

The black Eclat in the article is currently up for sale for £6,750

See here

link

[Herc]

Yes, that's the one, isn't it. Fantastic condition, just fantastic. Maybe I could graft an Elite tailgate on it, and then it would be perfect.

Herc.