Lotus Elite purchase
Discussion
Hi guys,
I'm thinking of purchasing a 1976 Lotus Elite and i would like to ask you guys some questions. Are parts easy to find? Are they expensive? And are those cars difficult to work on them? I live in Greece where basically Lotuses and assorted british sports cars of the 70's are unknown and i'm worried that if i do buy it, it would be difficult to find parts and generally keep it going. I do have a good amount of experience working on classic cars as well as a very motivated mechanic who could help with everything i can't manage, so the only problem is parts. I tried finding websites with lotus parts but i couldn't find anything interesting. So does anybody knows where i can find parts for it?
Thanks a lot
I'm thinking of purchasing a 1976 Lotus Elite and i would like to ask you guys some questions. Are parts easy to find? Are they expensive? And are those cars difficult to work on them? I live in Greece where basically Lotuses and assorted british sports cars of the 70's are unknown and i'm worried that if i do buy it, it would be difficult to find parts and generally keep it going. I do have a good amount of experience working on classic cars as well as a very motivated mechanic who could help with everything i can't manage, so the only problem is parts. I tried finding websites with lotus parts but i couldn't find anything interesting. So does anybody knows where i can find parts for it?
Thanks a lot
New parts: http://www.sjsportscars.co.uk/index.php?mod=9
Used parts: http://www.lotusbits.com/
Owners forum: http://www.thelotusforums.com/cms/
Used parts: http://www.lotusbits.com/
Owners forum: http://www.thelotusforums.com/cms/
Do bear in mind that it's the one Lotus that even classic Lotus Specialists like [urlPaul Matty Sportscars|http://www.paulmattysportscars.co.uk/home.aspx[/url] and UK Sportscars aren't prepared to sell, for fear of their reputation (and for a company with a reputation as bad as one of the above, that's really worrying!).
If you are brave enoough Paul Matty is another good source of parts, though, and some of Spyder's products might also interest you.
The good news is that you are no worse off living in Greece than anywhere else - unless you're within range of one of the specialists, pretty much all parts supply is by mail order, anyway. A fair number of the problems with the car tend to be electrical (though the drivetrain has its share of problems), so you might even find that the Greek climate is kinder than the cool, damp conditions here in Britain.
If you are brave enoough Paul Matty is another good source of parts, though, and some of Spyder's products might also interest you.
The good news is that you are no worse off living in Greece than anywhere else - unless you're within range of one of the specialists, pretty much all parts supply is by mail order, anyway. A fair number of the problems with the car tend to be electrical (though the drivetrain has its share of problems), so you might even find that the Greek climate is kinder than the cool, damp conditions here in Britain.
Other owners' forum : http://www.lotusexcel.net/
Mike Taylor at LotusBits has converted some Elites to Excel running gear over the year to give the "pure" styling with reliable mechnicals.
Mike Taylor at LotusBits has converted some Elites to Excel running gear over the year to give the "pure" styling with reliable mechnicals.
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