1976 Lotus Eclat 'Supercharged'

Registration No: 22 ECL
Chassis No: 76/070249D
MOT: Exempt

• Purchased into current ownership in 2005 as a ‘garage find’
• Extensively restored and upgraded thereafter with Rotrex Supercharger with Intercooler, Power Steering, Limited Slip Differential, and more!
• Just 58,000 miles from new
• 1 of only 32 UK-market S1 Eclat’s finished in Yellow
• Rated as ‘excellent’ throughout by the vendor

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.

Chassis number ‘76/070249D’ was manufactured on the 15^th of July 1976, being supplied new by dealers Goldblatt & Webb. Finished from the factory in Lemon Yellow (one of just 32 UK-market S1 Eclat’s finished in Yellow), the Lotus featured Sable cloth interior upholstery. Thereafter sold by a dealer in 1979, having covered some 34,836 miles, the Lotus was laid up in a garage approximately a year later, remaining there for the subsequent twenty-one years. Unearthed by the previous keeper as a garage find in 2002, there was no progress on the Lotus until it was acquired by the vendor in 2005, still in garage find condition.

Subject to a comprehensive restoration over the following three years, the restoration incorporated many upgrades, including a totally overhauled later 912 engine (1987) to 8.5:1 with GT3 pistons by Phil Davison, Rotrex supercharger with intercooler, ported and gas flowed head, and bespoke exhaust and manifold, the engine is producing some 290bhp. Further enhanced with a galvanized chassis, power steering, electric pop-up head lights, limited slip differential, five-speed gearbox, fuel injection, engine oil cooler, upgraded cooling, front brakes with 4-pot calipers, adjustable shocks all round, polybushing all round, alarm and immobilizer, and central locking on both doors.

In current ownership for twenty years, the Lotus has covered a subsequent 14,000 miles during this time, to have now covered a total of just 58,000 miles from new. Rated by the vendor as being ‘excellent’ throughout (regarding bodywork, paintwork, engine, gearbox, electricals, and interior trim), the Lotus is accompanied to sale by the apt registration number ’22 ECL’, as well as a collection of MOT certificates, invoices, previous sales invoices, and Lotus Certificate of Vehicle Provenance.

For more information, please contact:
Paul Cheetham
paul.cheetham@handh.co.uk
07538 667452