The Lotus Grand Tourers

https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outl ... reserved=0

Looks an interesting proposition for someone looking for what may be a usable Elite with opportunity for continuous improvement through ownershi.
Tony

Yes - that looks like a great starting point!

Pete

Says it has a Lotus engine instead of Renault and webber carbs?

Nice colour .. And car ..

It does look nice in the photos. I guess the remark about a Renault engine refers to Europas but I don't know.

Trevor, I thought the same on the Renault comment. Someone who's knows a little about Europa's, but nothing about the later cars.
I suspect if you actually saw it, it's a bit ropey around the edges, but could well be a good canvass for improvement.
Strange looking Lotus badge on the driver seat which is barely hiding the trouble beneath. And steering wheel looking very tired. Then there's red bumpers, although I fully understand that on car restored 30 years ago - it was my plan for my Elite back then.
I'd kill for that chrome trim around the centre switches though. Mine never had one .

presumably back in 74 they would not have a galvanized sub frame?

So that turns into a body off job.

@ £8k plus getting it back if its not a reliable runner looks a bit of a risk to me.

Defo not galvanised in '74.

Pete

Advert says it had a new "lotus supplied" chassis back in 1990 when restored. Inference is its not done many miles since and currently owned as part of a collection, so good chance its been predominantly dry use / stored.
By 1990, I'm sure lotus would have only supplied a galvanised chassis as replacement, but agreed it would be something to be checked by any potential buyer, just like the other usual rot spots like door beams and window frames.

MetBlue wrote: Sun Jan 17, 2021 09:33 I suspect if you actually saw it, it's a bit ropey around the edges, but could well be a good canvass for improvement.
Strange looking Lotus badge on the driver seat which is barely hiding the trouble beneath. And steering wheel looking very tired. Then there's red bumpers, although I fully understand that on car restored 30 years ago - it was my plan for my Elite back then.
I'd kill for that chrome trim around the centre switches though. Mine never had one .

They always seem to look worse in real life than in the photos. The camera does lie or, at least, flatter.

I assumed the patch on the driver's seat was covering a hole but body-coloured bumpers are not uncommon as, like you said, it was the fashion.

While I suppose they don't need to salt the roads in the Channel Islands I would be worried if it were kept near the coast with plenty of salt in the air.

I don't know whether Lotus supplied only galvanised chassis in the 90's but it would be a plus if they had.