1975 Lotus Eclat 520
The first production example

Registration No: LPB 454P
Chassis No: 7509/0101D
MOT: June 2026

• Purchased into current ownership in 2018 as a restoration project
• Just 101 miles covered since a comprehensive restoration costing c.£20,000
• Proven as Eclat chassis number 1 with a Lotus Certificate of Provenance to corroborate
• Comprehensive history file documenting the restoration
• Offered with current V5C document

The Lotus Eclat was launched in October 1975. Designed by Oliver Winterbottom, who would go on to pen cars for TVR, the Eclat was based upon the Elite, but with a fastback body style offering more practical boot storage. Utilising a 1,973cc straight-four engine producing 160hp, later cars (from 1980 onwards) used a larger 2,174cc engine; however, because of emission regulations, modifications to the power output remained the same as the early engine, although it did produce more torque. Well received by the motoring press, the Eclat was praised for its handling and grip. Chosen as an entry level model to complement the Lotus Elite Type 75, launched in the previous year, the Lotus Eclat 520 was sold with 13-inch Cortina steel wheels with Elan rim embellishers, a four-speed gearbox and Cortina Mk3 heater box. The car would later be known as the Sprint. The body shape proved to be more popular than the Elite as did the higher specification derivatives 521, 522 and 523. Another key differentiator of the 520 was that the first 15 cars had an upright rear bulkhead allowing the fuel tank to move forward in the package enlarging the boot space. The rear seats being more suitable for smaller children.

Officially recognised as the first production Eclat, one of only 15 with the vertical rear bulkhead, larger boot and smaller rear seats, LPB 545P was sold by Bell and Covill in November 1975. Little is known about its history until it was rescued from a garden in Essex by Lotusbits in 2018 and identified by them as chassis number 1. The vendor purchased the car from Lotusbits in 2018 with the intention of restoring it to original specification. After verifying its identity with the Lotus archivist work began in April 2019. After removing the body from the chassis it was established there was evidence of poorly repaired accident damage making it uneconomic to rectify and the chassis had rot over the suspension mounts and was also beyond saving. A second-hand, galvanised chassis was sourced, stripped and powder coated and a second hand unmodified 520 body acquired.

The car was resprayed in Carnival red by Normandale of Daventry in 2020 and the differential and gearbox fully overhauled by associates of Lotusbits. Where possible the interior trim was retained and retrimmed by a former Lotus trimmer who had access to the ICI oatmeal vinyl used on the originals. The seat centres were trimmed in Alcantara - chosen because it was more durable than the nylon cloth used by Lotus. Exterior trim was either polished or replaced by new old stock items from SJSportscars including the wheel centre caps. The Elan wheel embellishers were acquired from Paul Matty Sportscars Reassembled by the vendor with guidance and technical assistance from Lotusbits, the car was MoT’d on 26th April 2024. A hundred miles have been completed since with teething troubles resolved. Approximately £20,000 has been expended making this first production Eclat 520 into the wonderful example seen today. Offered with history file documenting the work and current MoT to June 2026.

For more information, please contact:
Angus Fender
angus.fender@handh.co.uk
07958490484