Newbie Lotus fan!

[Patricklee]

ks. A newbie here. I’m Patrick and I live on the South Coast in Portsmouth UK. Always been a classic car fan and currently own two Sunbeams, a 63’ Alpine and a 71’ Rapier Fastback. Previously owned MGs, Porsches and Triumphs. A mate had an Excel in the past and I’ve always been a fan of this range and aspired to own one! So I’m in the market for a good condition Elite. Really nice to introduce myself to you all and getting your advice on buying and running a classic Lotus. Have a great weekend!

[Hawaiis0]

Welcome Patrick.

The answers are all here - somewhere. Everyone will be happy to support you on your journey of choice.

The NEC is coming up next month, but will be featuring the booted Elite (Eclat) on its 50th Anniversary year. Worth a long day out or a weekend away.

Stu

[Patricklee]

Thanks Stu. Will definitely head up to the NEC at least for a day trip! Love the Eclats too!

[rbgosling]

Welcome Patrick!

I've noticed rather more Elites come up for sale in the last year or so than previously. Maybe now the appreciation is growing, more people are pulling out their barn-stored cars or restoration projects...

What are you after? A project to work on, a car you can just drive around in anything from shabby to nice condition, or a showstopper? What sort of budget are you thinking to throw at it? There are cars at every level with a W I D E range of prices!

Many of the more experienced hands here would be happy to let you know what to look for on a particular potential purchase, depending on where it is someone might even be able to come along and take a look at it.

Or, if you want to take a punt, the YouTube channel Tasty Classics is trying to get a lovely yellow one back to roadworthy condition (and had a couple of epic battles on the way...) and it will then be raffled off - tickets on sale now!

Yes, a good suggestion of Stu's to come along to the NEC show, a good opportunity to look around some cars so we can show you what to look out for.

[AndrewWebber]

I'm happy to help (I live in the SE, but work occasionally in Stafford) and have what might be called a 'running, fairly regularly used' Elite in reasonable unrestored order. I did look at a few for / with a gentleman who approached us at an NEC show a few years back and in the end he couldn't find what he wanted for his budget, as Richard says defining your must haves / nice to haves etc will narrow down the likely candidates out there...

Good luck and it would be great to have another in the fold..

Andy