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John's
Online
LOTUS
Museum
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ECLAT
TYPE
76
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.TYPE
76 - Elite
1975 to 1982
Production GT
Coupe
Engine: Lotus
907 1973cc-140
bhp------------------------------
Lotus 912 2174
cc 160 bhp (1980)-------
Gearbox: Lotus
5-speed-----------------------------------------------
Chassis: Central
box-section steel backbone---------------
Front Suspension:
unequal-length double wishbones,
& coil spring
/ damper units.-----------------------------------------
Rear Suspension:
Strut-type, with tubular lower -----------
wishbones,-&
coil spring / damper units.-----------------------
Wheelbase: 8
ft. 1.8 in.--------------------------------------------------
Front Track:
4 ft. 10.5 in.----------------------------------------------
Rear Track: 4
ft. 11 in.--------------------------------------------------
Length: 14 ft.
7.5 in.-----------------------------------------------------
Weight: 2350
lbs.--------------------------------------------------------
The Lotus Eclat
was a fastback version of the new Elite,
in which the
rear roof line was sloped down into a -------
sporty
fastback.------------------------------------------------------------
Replacing the
glassback of the Elite was a trunk lid that
opened to a generously sized and practical boot.----------------
The body was
the same from the B-pillar forward.----------
It was mechanically
identical.---------------------------------------
It was originally
powered by Lotus 907engine, then in--
1980 it received
the 2.2 liter Lotus 912 engine.--------------
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Whimsey
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Lotus Eclair - Too
Fat To Race
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Most Lotus enthusiasts
are aware that the 1970's Elite took its name from the original Elite of
the late 1950's, but not many realise that the Eclat derives it's name
from a much earlier model - the Lotus Eclair. The exact origin of this
tasteful little sports racer is unknown.
Thought to originate
from the Betty Crocker design school, several rather advanced features
were included:
The yeast- west
mounted engine, rack and rolling- pin steering and coil- over choc absorbers
made the Eclair a very popular little number in its day.
The road version
of the car had a beautifully flexible little ohc (over- head cream) 600
mil engine developing a whopping 215 calories, while the works race version
had double overhead cream and an even greater 250 calories (one problem
being that it tended to run a bit rich.)
One particularly
notable example was quite successfully raced by the great Gordon Bleu.
He put alcohol
in the mixture for an even more potent result, but it also made the vehicle
less predictable.
(A large squirt
away from the line and the wee Lotus simply did donuts.)
Bleu's first
attempt at racing was abysmal - well into the race he overcooked it and
had a massive melt-down.
He was lucky
to escape with only burnt fingers.
The second time
out, however, things began to go right.
It was the Meal
Miglia and weather conditions were not favourable (the Lotus may have been
superb in the dry, but in the rain it handled like a wet sponge), but in
spite of severe icing Bleu fought on and successfully creamed the opposition.
Unfortunately
from there it was all down- hill.
Gordon desserted
Team Lotus and claimed he could privately eat anything that would care
to take him on.
This he did,
and was several times disqualified for breaking weight restrictions.
With the demise
of Gordon Bleu's racing career the little Eclair, sadly, was doomed and
the model that we photographed is thought to be the only one left.
(The rest having
decayed or been eaten away.)
Restoration is
not really a practical proposition, so the only hope is that another well
preserved specimen may surface.
Until then we
are very grateful that we were able to get a taste of such a car, magnificent
with its cream stripe and real chocolate upholstery.
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Technical Data:
Make: Lotus
Price: $3.95
Model: Eclair
Engine: SOHC
600 mil
Body type: Choux
Monocoque
Output: 215 calories
Steering: Rack
& Rolling Pin
Suspension: Gas
Shocks at rear (caused by too much alcohol)
Max Speed: Over
200 mph (Air New Zealand in flight catering)
Standing 1/4:
1 min 15 secs (with fruit & causing indigestion)
Sitting 1/4:
2 min 45 secs (Ahh - much more comfortable, thanks)
0-60 mph: 6.7
secs (Balanced on lap whilst driving a Europa)
----------------------------------------------------------------------Phil
Quagg
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Donated by
Phil Quagg for the library of:
The Banana Republic
BBS & El Presidente (Sysop)... Thanks Phil!
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