Someone Started Restoring a 1976 Lotus Eclat, $6K Later They Closed the Shop

The result wasn't necessarily the best, as the Eclat offered less headroom and luggage room, but it made more sense as part of an effort to help Lotus expand in the United States.

It didn't help much, as Lotus produced only 1,522 units of the Eclat series, whereas the Elite was still more popular with 2,531 units. Both cars used the same engine – a 2.0-liter (1,973cc) four-cylinder 16-valve engine rated at 160 horsepower. The Eclat could be had with a five-speed manual transmission, which eventually made its way to most units, an automatic Borg Warner unit, or a four-speed manual borrowed from Ford.

The 1976 Eclat you can see here is one of the most mysterious projects I've seen in a long time. It's also the most compelling, as a Lotus Eclat that seems to check most boxes for a restoration candidate is rare – I honestly can't remember the last time I came across an Eclat that looked prepared for restoration.

Posted on eBay by seller OldSchool Restorations of N.Alabama, the Eclat was this close to getting a complete restoration. Instead, it only received a partial refresh, with the seller explaining that they only got to take care of the body and the paint, as they eventually closed their shop and retired. Not before they invested $6K in this Lotus, so whoever buys the car will have to continue the project from where they left it off.

Unfortunately, we're not getting any information about what to expect from this Lotus, and they only shared two photos with it, so your only option is to contact the seller and discuss all the details. The reason why I decided to cover it is that an Eclat is rare, and it's a shame we don't get more information, such as whether the interior is still in place and if the original engine is still around. The seller says the car would be a good candidate for a V8 swap, though this doesn't say anything about what's currently under the hood.

The selling price is as mysterious as the rest of the car. The bidding begins at $1,000, but the owner also configured a reserve, meaning they won't let it go unless someone sends a bigger offer. It's unclear how high the bidding must go to unlock the reserve.

This Eclat is parked in Cullman, Alabama, and considering the auction will end in approximately two days, it's safe to assume it'll need another chance to find a new home.