The Lotus Grand Tourers

This looks like a very interesting éclat

https://www.handh.co.uk/auction/lot/103 ... ?lot=62293

See my post below - don’t see how this can be sold as the first production éclat.

What do others think?

Would fit in well with your growing stable

Andy

4-speed with steel wheels? That was Tony Dude's favourite by all accounts because its handling was so accessible.

Lovely - and not expensive.

So - is that when the waist line trim changed from the stick-on type?

Pete

Just properly read the description and appears it’s had a replacement sub frame (chassis) BUT, and this is a BIG BUT it has had the body replaced!!! So, as the VIN goes with the body, I guess this can be best described as a cloned car!

So you’re buying the VIN plate and possibly some mechanicals from the original car.

This car featured in Absolute Lotus, issue 41 late last year. The auction site has gone dyslexic, stating the reg as 545, but it is actually 454 as the reg plate shows.
Being such an early car, it's a shame the interior trim isn't replaced with the original cord trim, but replacing with something more durable is easy to understand.
I'd also say it is technically the second production car. Lotus declare 0100D as the first.
I also have record of 099D in the register, which I guess would be considered a pre production car. I think this car is ( or was) owned by a regular contributor to this site from a few years back (Ian).
However you view it though, it looks a very sound example of a very early car.

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.

Interesting to read in the advert that the first 15 cars had different rear bulkhead. - What does the term "unmodified" in the quote below actually mean? Does it still have the larger boot?

A second-hand, galvanised chassis was sourced, stripped and powder coated and a second hand unmodified 520 body acquired.

I'd like to see the VIN plate (unfortunately not photographed - which is unusual for auctions).
Mileage - Shame it has a "zero'ed" clock.
To my eye's there's a lot of smaller details on this car that are more consistent with later production (or at least different to my Elite, although admittedly the Elites 18 months earlier)

• Screen Washer jets - My early Elite has a jet fabricated from a small ID bent copper pipe and fixed to the plenum grill
  Air box clamps - At what stage did Lotus replace the 4 off M6 Bolts with clips ?
  Coolant header tank. - My car does not have the "through Flow" tank. I think it was fairly early in production it was changed, but just how early.

I have my thoughts on the car, but as earlier post, it's still a very nice example of an early car.

My late 78 build Elite has the ‘bent and crimped copper washer jets’ and the ‘M6 air box bolts’

I’m pretty sure all éclats gained the “normal” type washer jets on the scuttle panel rather than the Elite style.

TrevorK wrote: Fri Jul 18, 2025 19:48 4-speed with steel wheels? That was Tony Rudd's favourite by all accounts because its handling was so accessible.

Should say "Tony Rudd's favourite" but auto-correct got me. - admin magic