Kent J. Miller wrote:
>
> Even when they were new their parts were expensive and hard to find!! I'm
> not sure about the Elite but if it has the same IRS as the Elan, the rubber
> donuts on the half axles are always shot. They are cute cars though.
>
> Kent
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Adrian Barnes <adrian@workgroup.net>
> To: Spridgets (E-mail) <spridgets@autox.team.net>
> Sent: Saturday, July 01, 2000 6:27 PM
> Subject: Lotus Elite Question
>
> > A friend of mine's father has a '76 or '77 Lotus Elite that has been
> sitting
> > for years. The windshield is said to leak, the engine is said to be same
> as
> > Jensen-Healey, tranny to be Lotus. Does anybody know anything about these
> > cars? Availability of parts? Swapability of parts from other sources,
> etc
> > etc? He and I are both intrigued, but want to know a little more about
> it.
> >
> >
I think you are mixing up the first generation Elite with the second
generation Elite sold in the mid-seventies. No comparison. Certainly not
cute.
These cars are a lot more trouble than they will ever be worth. All the
trim and non-critical items are low quality. Parts are expensive, the
cars are unreliable in the extreme, and they are just about impossible
to sell if you change your mind.
Most popular swap is to transplant the Rover/Buick V-8 into it. Road and
Track tested one like this in (I think) '76. The very same car belongs
to a friend of mine. I've also seen V-6 swaps.
Unless it is an absolutely perfect car at a give-away price, pass!
Daniel
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