Chassis No. - SCC08491211105

Registration - JTU 111Y

M.O.T. - December 2021

Odometer - 37,142

The Éclat is one of Lotus’s lesser-known models, of which only around 1,500 examples were produced. Just 223 of these were Riviera versions, whose specification included a removable roof panel, air conditioning, vented bonnet and rear spoiler. ‘JTU 111Y’ is one of the 223, so a rare car by any standards. Finished in Calypso Red matched to half leather grey/black interior trim, it is said by the vendor to possess ‘very good bodywork and benefit from a refurbished driver’s seat and headlining’. The accompanying images confirm that the body was removed in order to check and wax coat the galvanised chassis, which is clearly in good order. At some stage the original 2.2-litre engine suffered valve damage and was replaced by an equivalent one of unknown mileage. However, the original unit is available, together with a range of other spares including: cylinder heads, water pumps, exhaust manifolds, springs, steering racks, window winder motors etc. First registered in August 1982, the Lotus has had seven keepers to date, who, according to the current odometer reading, have travelled just 37,142 between them – an unwarranted but credible total. Its inline four-cylinder engine drives through a five-speed manual gearbox, and the car is now available for sale complete with a current MOT certificate valid until December 21 this year. A rare opportunity.

The 2+2 Éclat model was effectively a Type 75 Elite with fastback styling and the practicality of a separate boot area, and the lower half of the fibreglass body was identical to that of its sibling. Production ran from 1975 to 1982, with the Riviera special edition version being offered for the last two only.

In summary:

• A rare breed of Lotus of which just 223 were manufactured
• Galvanised chassis recently inspected and wax coated
• Comes complete with numerous spare parts