Just trying to finalise the price,more beer and negotiating
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rear view
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Yeah i know i know automatic,but thats the only downside.

Car is complete and running with everything original,i just gotta have a real big think about it

engine
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dash n wet carpet
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front
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Looks good, looks pretty good nick. How much?

Restoring one at the moment, iof you need any bits i know a man who has plenty and is fair priced, by the way ours was full of water up to the seats and had been stood for ten years five of those outside, and would you believe it started and drove...

I'M IN LOVE !!!!!!!!!






Paul G

Theres a lot of hard work there, good project though if youve got the room.

this is what i want next:



doesnt that look wonderful!!?!

Bob - what is there to think about, go for it.

Joel - nice motor, I learned to drive in a Herald convertible which is still in my Mums garage. if I wasn't planning to build a locost it would be in my garage being rebuilt (again).

Don't pay too much for it though - that's all. It's a typical lotus of that era - great concept, iffy execution.
If it's got the original chassis, check verrrrrrry carefully the bit above the diff. They used a bit of felt as insulation. Felt holds water particularly well as we all know

I passed my test in a herald 12/50 saloon

I like the open top vitesse, but a herald would do ....

atb

steve

Bob,

Talk to Mike Taylor at Lotusbits (Rugby)

http://www.lotuseliteparts.bravepages.com/index.html

He breaks Lotus cars for parts and rallies a Lotus Sunbeam !!!

Always got a good selection of cars in various states and access to others. He may even have a car for you that isn't and auto (why spoil lotus engine experience with an auto box IMHO)

Make sure all the glass in the Lotus is OK. Just have it in the back of my mind that I was told by an Elite/Eclat driver that it's horrifically expensive to replace.

Cheers lads

The car is all there,and i now have it running too

The water has leaked in through the bulkhead as the bonnet was left open and the car is kept under a leaking car port.

anyhow after a few beers the owner now knows i'm not prepared to pay more than 500 quid

As luck would have it the car has history and the clock reads a tad over 50K.

It is in an impressive condition and also complete,i just have to sway the wife and find another garage

I nearly bought a 79 esprit once. Had been standing in the back of a gargae for 10 years. I fell in love with the look of it and nearly handed over £1300 there and then.

Fortunatly I contacted the Lotus GB club and found out that if the lump needed a rebuild it was going to cost me the best part of £3k and that the chassis rot from the inside out so you can never tell if they are about to go. Apparently there has been a few incidents of the front cross member just folding under the car under braking. They recommended a new chassis as a matter of course.

Still sat in the garage as far as I know. Was a beautiful car. Just like the james bond underwater one but in red. Maybe the next project?

Thanks for the info lads

I'm going to have a better look the end of next week while i'm off shift,also i'm tracking a coupel of cars that are for sale just to see what happens.dont fancy being left with a garage ornament

Interesting bob, garage space and Mrs Bob are gonna be the biggest probs though I imagine (would you want to keep the beloved indy in a lockup? heaven forbid you sell it!

What are these old lotus' worth in good nick (ie when restored) I've always fancied a late esprit with the galvanised chassis...

Ned.

Bob,
Looks like a lovely project.
Remember the badge at the back:
L.O.T.U.S.
Lots Of Trouble, Usually Serious.

I hope you have a very understanding wife. If I took on a Lotus of that era it wouldn't stand for Lots Of Trouble Usually Serious it would stand for D.I.V.O.R.C.E.

True

I've been gettting my brain in gear for a change and i dont think i'll bother,i dont really like the car and its an auto which makes me like it even less

Its just that it turned up and was complete,never mind i'll have a rest and look for something interesting next year maybe.

[Edited on 2/7/04 by bob]

I met up with the owner of this elite last night,he told me if someone comes round with £1000 and a trailer to take it its theres.

Apart from the fact its and auto and has not been MOT'd for a couple of years the car seems complete.

Anybody interested i'll pass on the owners phone number by e-mail.

The car is located in ashford common middlesex about a mile from J1 M3.
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having worked on one , id never have a manual box , they have maxi internals , and the reverse breaks off dead easy Complete pain in the arse to work on , inboard rear brakes , and worth about £2.5k for a really nice one .

shame its an auto like , i believe a ZF would work in there .