An exciting announcement for the upcoming NEC restoration show on 21-23 March 2025. A group of Lotus Grand Tourers Members (Andy Webber, John Cornish and myself amongst others offering help and support) have worked on recovering an early Lotus elite in order to make it presentable for the upcoming show. The car is registered as GEX 128N and is unit number 74/100366A finished in Maroon Red (elan +2 colour of the period). Although not a very early car, it is special in that it was a famous press car at the time and was also the vehicle used to test the installation of a V8 power unit in the 70’s which as a project was never seen to fruition/production. The vehicle still has a bonnet blister mod as no V8 induction system at the time would sit low enough.
The car has not run for over 36 years and is currently in a poor state requiring a full nut and bolt restoration due to having been exposed to the outside elements. However on a positive note it is unmolested and original and being a car with such historical importance will be saved, with preservation and proper storage being planned.
It took a day and a half of graft to free up the car and get it rolling. This involved drum, calliper and front hub assembly removals, freeing up a seized trunnion and reattaching a loose steering rack to a corroded chassis with the clever use of ratchet straps. A set of loan wheels with new tyres have been fitted for transportation. The car is currently in a position to be loaded onto a Trailor.
The plan is to present the vehicle to the visitors in its as resting state, worts and all. I will be working on acquiring as much information and pictures as I can in order to create an interesting presentation.
I hope that the plan will succeed and as many of you as possible here will get the chance to visit and enjoy seeing it in all its glory at The Lotus Grand Tourers Stand.
Roddy Michael
NEC Restoration Show on 21-23 March 2025 special elite exhibit
Moderator: Board Moderators