1976 Lotus Eclat 'Sprint'
Details—
Previous ownership from February 12, 1987 to April 16, 2022
Work completed February 14, 2013, at 28,895 miles, totaling $7,903.91—
The current owner purchased the vehicle from the previous owner’s estate on April 16, 2022.
Work completed by current owner between October 10, 2022 and September 23, 2024—
Parts included with purchase that have not been installed on the vehicle—
Notes by the owner on current condition or work known to be in need—
All of the above-noted vehicle history and parts receipts from the current ownership period have been organized into a binder, which is included in the sale. All original parts removed from the vehicle during current ownership have been bagged and labeled, and are included with the car upon purchase (see blue bins in picture gallery). Purchase of this vehicle also includes a Certificate of Provenance from Lotus Cars.
Please view all 150+ images for additional information about this Eclat, which are linked here: 1976 Lotus Eclat Sprint 520 - Google Drive
The current owner is selling because they no longer have the time available that is needed to continue restoring this car. The asking price represents the dollar amount invested in this vehicle during its current ownership in parts alone, and does not account for the several hundred hours of labor the current owner has spent restoring the car. The price may be negotiable, and all serious offers will be considered. Please send me a direct/private message if you have further questions or are interested in purchasing this unique piece of motoring history.
Thank you for looking!
Details—
- VIN: 76/030115E
- 520 trim: 2.0-liter Lotus 907 engine, Ford 4-speed manual transmission, without A/C and power steering
- Self-coloured White (later Monaco White) over Sable Vinyl and Oatmeal Cloth
- 16th of 298 Eclat ever produced in “Federal” specification, of which only a small percentage still exist today!
- Lotus produced fewer than 1,500 Eclat for the world market from 1975 to 1982
- Numbers-matching example
- 29,603 actual mileage
- Clean, lien-free Indiana title in hand
Previous ownership from February 12, 1987 to April 16, 2022
Work completed February 14, 2013, at 28,895 miles, totaling $7,903.91—
- Body removed and reinstalled on frame
- Cylinder head removed, machined, rebuilt, and reinstalled
- Carburetors rebuilt
- Timing belt and tensioner pulley replaced
- Water pump rebuilt, thermostat and coolant hoses replaced
- Spark plugs, ignition coil, ignition wires, and distributor were serviced
- Fuel pump and fuel filter replaced
- Front suspension bushings replaced
- Drive belts replaced
- Battery replaced
- Front brake rotors machined
The current owner purchased the vehicle from the previous owner’s estate on April 16, 2022.
Work completed by current owner between October 10, 2022 and September 23, 2024—
- Cam covers removed, camshafts inspected, and cam covers reinstalled with new gaskets and sealant
- Timing belt (Gates blue) and tensioner pulley replaced
- Water pump rebuilt and thermostat, coolant header tank (aluminum upgrade), radiator cap, and coolant temperature sensor replaced
- All drive belts replaced
- The engine oil and filter were serviced with a new drain plug
- Intake manifold gasket replaced
- Zenith-Stromberg carburetors rebuilt by Union Jack Exotics in Maryland, USA, and reinstalled with new gaskets and o-rings
- Fuel tank removed, drained, and inspected. Exterior treated with POR-15 rust neutralizer/preventative, then painted satin black, and the tank interior cleaned with metal prep, followed by coating with POR-15 fuel tank sealer.
- Fuel level sensor, fuel filter, fuel pump mounting bracket, and fuel filler cap gasket replaced
- The alternator and the adjusting strap were replaced
- Ignition coil, condenser, and distributor cap replaced
- All wiring in the engine bay and trunk was inspected and repaired or replaced if needed
- All rubber fuel, vacuum, and coolant hoses replaced as found needed
- Water pump pulley, crankshaft pulley, alternator pulley/fan, firewall-mounted coolant pipe, battery brackets, and throttle cable bracket sand blasted and powder coated semi-gloss black
- Almost all hardware removed was replaced with grade-compatible stainless steel hardware, including nuts, bolts, washers, hose clamps, and p-clamps
- Engine timing components were color-marked/clearcoated according to the service manual’s specification
Parts included with purchase that have not been installed on the vehicle—
- Brake master cylinder sleeved, rebuilt, and zinc-plated by White Post Restorations in Virginia, USA, with a new ‘old stock’ brake fluid reservoir purchased from eBay Australia
- Brake servo rebuilt and powder coated by Karps Power Brake Service in California, USA, with a new non-return valve and stainless steel hardware
- Brake cylinders for both rear brake drums
- Halogen headlamp conversion kit with new backing bowls
- Brand new Lotus OE front lower radiator air scoop/spoiler, sourced from JAE Parts
- European bumper kit for USA cars sourced from SJ Sportscars in the UK, includes front and rear fiberglass bumpers, mesh front grille, and mounting hardware and gaskets ($1,000 parts value)
- Aluminum radiator coolant pipe with new cooling fan switch/wiring loom
- Cooling system hose set
- Brake servo feed hose
- Master cylinder seal kit
- Intake manifold gasket
- Replacement/alternate-style distributor bracket
- Throttle cable, idle screw springs, and spare mounting gaskets for Stromberg carbs
- Miscellaneous fluids
Notes by the owner on current condition or work known to be in need—
- Very close to running! I speculate that the engine is not getting enough fuel, too much fuel, or the ignition timing (not cam or crank) is slightly off. I’ve spent many hours checking the carb bowls/floats, adjusting fuel/air ratio of the carbs (with the service tool needed, from Moss Motors), adjusting idle screws, throttle lever position, etc., and every time I make progress, it seems to disappear when I make the subsequent minor adjustment. It has started and run briefly under cold start, then it becomes more challenging to keep running as the engine gets warmer.
- The car started and ran briefly after I purchased it and unclogged/cleaned the fuel system, before I began the full mechanical refresh. I did not run it long, as the old timing belt was still installed, and I did not want to risk any engine damage. I have a video of the engine running and the car moving forward in first gear and backwards in reverse. I did not drive it in any other gear or on the street, as the brakes were inoperable due to a brake fluid leak at the master cylinder and rear brake drum cylinders.
- The body is solid, with no significant damage and no cracks in the fiberglass observed, and appears to just need the surface prepped and repainted.
- According to the previous service history, the body was removed from the frame before significant restorative mechanical repairs were made in 2013. It is presumed that the frame was in good, functional condition when this occurred. It was garaged since, and there is minor surface rust, but nothing that would cause concern for the frame being compromised by rust. I, too, have spent a significant amount of time and money on reconditioning this vehicle because I do not have concerns about the integrity of the frame, but I have not removed the body from the frame to inspect it. It would be best to sand, prime, and paint the frame to protect the vehicle's longevity.
- As you can see in the pictures, the interior will need to be reupholstered. I’ve thoroughly cleaned the interior and removed the interior upholstery from the roof and other areas, as it was deteriorated and in need of replacement.
- I have been through just about everything in the engine bay and trunk, which covers most mechanical items on the vehicle. I have not removed the dashboard or door panels to know what needs may be present in those areas.
- The power windows and clock on the dashboard work.
- The radiator has not been removed or inspected and will likely need to be re-cored. The cooling fans run at all times when the ignition is on because the fan switch is not connected.
- The tires show manufacture date codes from 2011 to 2012. The spare tire appears to be original to the car.
All of the above-noted vehicle history and parts receipts from the current ownership period have been organized into a binder, which is included in the sale. All original parts removed from the vehicle during current ownership have been bagged and labeled, and are included with the car upon purchase (see blue bins in picture gallery). Purchase of this vehicle also includes a Certificate of Provenance from Lotus Cars.
Please view all 150+ images for additional information about this Eclat, which are linked here: 1976 Lotus Eclat Sprint 520 - Google Drive
The current owner is selling because they no longer have the time available that is needed to continue restoring this car. The asking price represents the dollar amount invested in this vehicle during its current ownership in parts alone, and does not account for the several hundred hours of labor the current owner has spent restoring the car. The price may be negotiable, and all serious offers will be considered. Please send me a direct/private message if you have further questions or are interested in purchasing this unique piece of motoring history.
Thank you for looking!
