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PRE-RESTORATION
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The LOTUS ECLAT
The second front engined model of the new Lotus line up, the Eclat was launched in October 1975. Designated as a 2+2 seater by Lotus it was very similar to the Elite in all but its fastback rear body styling and price. The only significant mechanical difference was the fitting of a 3.73:1 diff as opposed to the 4:1:1 unit in the Elite. Initially four variants were offered, the 520, 521,522 and 523, shortly to be followed by the 524 automatic model. The 521, 522 , 523 and 534 were basically the same cars as their Elite equivalents, but with the 520 Lotus attempted to make an altogether cheaper car. The Lotus 5 speed gearbox was replaced by a heavier 4 speed unit from the Ford Granada/Capri range, whilst the attractive alloy wheels gave way to narrower pressed steel items. But although it was now possible to enjoy Lotus motoring at a lower price the penalty was less flexibility and less good roadholding, and this led to the variant not selling as well as had been anticipated.
In the USA the car had always been called the Sprint as opposed to the Eclat, and it was marketing experience in this country which led Lotus to bring out a special edition called the Eclat Sprint. This was not quicker due to any engine changes, but rather by the substitution of the 3.73:1 diff with a higher 4.1:1 ratio. These models were all finished in white and had black decals and a black flash on the bonnet and boot.
In May 1980 the Eclat 2.2 was announced with the same revisions as its sister car the Elite, and production continued until 1982.
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The secret to a good restoration.
If anyone knows the secret to a good restoration I’d love to hear it, I suspect its different for each individual. For me, this is my first, and I’ve been at it now for a year and a half. Judging by the amount of partly restored cars that come up for sale, I think a lot of people start out with the best intentions and then find its not for them. I work on my car only at weekends, on a good weekend I may get 6 hours, some weekends I don’t go out to it at all. I have two young children 4 and 6, a wife and dog, my wife believes our children will be adults by the time this car is finished. The dog shows no interest. My son regularly asks me “is it nearly finished dad” I look at it and think to myself “not quite yet” This story started back in the summer of 2000, I had raced Karts in Jersey (CI) in the early 90s I moved back home in 95 and in Christmas of 98 decided to buy a Kart and do a season in Ireland. During 99 I always seemed to be finishing 5th or 6th and it became apparent if I wanted to start fighting for wins I’d have to buy a new outfit for 2000. Due to work I missed the first 3 races, and it became apparent I had lost interest. I then decided to sell the lot and buy a car to restore. I had no idea what I wanted, but I did want something that needed to be completely stripped, I didn’t want something that was rotten with rust, or needed major mechanical work, as I didn’t intend to spend a fortune on it. The obvious choice would have been an Alfa as I have always been into them, 2 Alfa Sud ti’s, 2 Alfa Sprints, a 164, and now a 166. But then I saw an add for a Lotus Eclat, now I had no idea what an Eclat looked like but I always liked the Esprit. A search on the internet showed me what it looked like and I thought this looks interesting. I talked to the owner on the phone, and decided it was worth a look, the car was generally in good condition and was a runner so I bought it, I then decided to drive it home (5 hour drive) the car had a cracked manifold which made it sound horrible and also had electrical/fuel problems and every village I passed through the car insisted on backfiring, (very embarrassing) not a good idea in Ireland on a Sunday when a lot of the elderly go to mass, (I saw a few old ladies doing a wobblier at the fright.)
After getting it home and squeezing it into the garage I looked around and thought there’s no way I’ll be able to restore anything here, so a new garage was called for. Now you don’t mention anything about getting something built to my dad unless your really really serious, the immortal words, “I was thinking of” is enough for him to go off and organise timber, cladding, and concrete and when you come home the following evening there’s half a garage standing in your back garden, and he was 77 years old at the time! The happy ending to this chapter is a garage with loads of space, an ideal place to do a restoration. I started the strip down in January 2001and continued to strip until I finally lifted the body off the chassis. I stripped down all the suspension, stripped the paint and surface rust off the chassis, primed and painted it. I then fitted new bushings shocks and coil springs, reground the brake discs, and reconditioned the steering rack. Refitted the lot including the body to the chassis, and that brings us to the present. (amazing how you can fit a year and a half’s work into a few lines) Since I started on the bodywork progress has slowed a lot, I’m finding it harder to get stuck into it, its possibly the nature of the work. I hope to have the car repainted by the end of August. If I can achieve this, the next step will be the interior, the seats and door panels are fine but the carpets and roof cloth are rotten. I feel a few weekends will make an impact here. All and all I’d be happy if the bodywork and interior were finished by Christmas. This would leave just the engine to sort out. (the engine is fine, it only needs new gaskets to stop all the oil leaks.) On paper it looks like I may have it on the road by next Summer 2003.
Well to add to this story, it is now November 2007 a lot has happened in the last 4 years, my dad passed away, I moved house, we had another child (now 2) the Lotus sits in the garage primed ready for paint, its been waiting for paint for 4 years, I asked "whats the secret to a good restoration" I suspect the answer is "stick at it", which I have not done. I dont seem to have as much free time as I used to have, but one thing is sure I will finish it, Alan is now 11, I have seven more years before he does his Leaving cert, there is time.........................
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Have you any restoration stories you'd like to share?
If you have please Email me and I'll add them to this page.
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