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Just bought an 1980 Elite

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Lotus Fan

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Hello To all! I am a new member and I just bought an 1980 Elite. I purchased it off of eBay and have not yet taken possession. So I don't know much about it. I do know that these cars have a chronic problem with overheating. But what else can I expect?

The car is said to be in good running order with less that 19000 miles, fantastic body condition, but with some interior issues. It has a red leather interior that is cracked and looks dried out. All of the other Elites that I have seen had cloth. Could this be the original interior?

Finally, can any body recommend an auto transport company? I need to get this from Las Vegas to North Carolina.
 
Congrats on the purchase of a "sleeper" Lotus!

Perhaps this car? - https://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2454928011&category=6312

That era of Elite isn't generally as well regarded as earlier models, but don't let that put you off, a Lotus is a Lotus and should prove to be enjoyable, I'm not sure if there are any other owners of 1970's Elite's on here but in general there is lots of advice on BCF here (just not from me), all I can really say is welcome aboard!
 
Welcome to the party Lotus Fan. Congratulations, the Elite is a very cool car.

If you haven't already you should get in touch with the folks at Dave Bean Engineering. They are the official source for vintage Lotus parts. They also have a great deal of knowledge of all things Lotus. They may have suggestions on things to look out for.

Any new owner of a 907 powered vehicle should make sure they know how many miles are on the timing belt and how recently the valves have been adjusted. If The PO can't tell you I'd seriously consider replacing the belt and checking the valve clearances.


PC.
 
Whoops, a double

[ 01-26-2004: Message edited by: Super 7 ]</p>
 
Nice. I hope you love it. I have owned a couple of those. '80 is the last US year I believe, and the best. I have a factory manual for it that I don't need, and it has all the service bullitins in it too. I have a set of new Delorrto carbs for it from Dave Bean, plus the manifold, soft mounts, fasteners, and air horns, plus the back side of the air box, which will mate up the Delorrto's to your stock air box, and a new clutch cable. I also have a set of the latest type valve cover gaskets, which PC will tell you are a common place for leaks.

The 'late model ones like yours have lots of upgrades from the early ones, and compared to the 907 engines used in the Jensen Healy.

A stronger 5 speed than the early ones, stronger interior materials, modified oil passage seals to the head to eliminate leaks, etc.

Those cars are a ball to drive, and I wish you joy of your new purchase.

Paul

PS:

If you are interested in buying any of those parts or the manual, let me know.

[ 01-27-2004: Message edited by: Super 7 ]</p>
 
 
That would be the one!

I spoke with the seller today and mentioned that I would arrange a transport. He insists that I could just drive it back to NC from Las Vegas without problems! I'm eager to get in the car and a road trip could be fun. But that long of a ride in an unknown car doesn't sound prudent. Any thoughts?
 
<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Lotus Fan:

...I'm eager to get in the car and a road trip could be fun. But that long of a ride in an unknown car doesn't sound prudent. Any thoughts?<hr></blockquote>
It does sound like fun, but prudent? Not in my opinion. Even a minor problem could be time consuming to resolve, especially if you're unfamilar with the car. And Lotii are not especially, um,robust, you know?

Re suppliers, Dave Bean has already been mentioned. Two other excellent ones are Don Tingle in Massachusetts ( www.tingleslotus.com ) and RD Enterprises (Ray) in Pennsylvania ( www.rdent.com ). Good luck with it - should be fun.
 
Congradulations on the new car! Even though some people don't like them I've always thought the Elites were neat cars.
 
Well welcome to the board. We had a jensen Healey for quite a few years and thouroughly enjoyed that motor. It was rather expensive to rebuild when we got it, but provided nothing but smiles after that.

Definately replace the belt, and don't take the sellers word for it that it was done recently.. Bit of a sales ploy, and time passes more quickly for some people than others, so the actual replacment could have been years ago! Those are a great car for sensible cruising, and still turn lots of heads even against modern sporty cars..

Have fun..
driving.gif
 
Welcome to the BCF, you have a nice car there. I would suggest that you have the original interior. If I remember correctly, the Elite came with leather, but it did have a reputation for being fragile.

Sorry I can't help with the transportation issue. There are several reputable companies out there, and some of our members have used them. Perhaps if you post a request in the Free For All board, you might get a few more responses.
 
I bought a '68 Alfa a couple years ago sight unseen, and drove it from Phoenix to Tillamook, OR.

I bought a '66 Cortina GT site unseen in Half Moon Bay and drove it to Seattle for shipment to Anchorage.

I bought my '68 Cortina GT 4 door sight unseen in Fresno, and my dad drove it to Anchorage for me.

My first Lotus Elan I bought out of a dealer in Long Beach, CA, had it shipped to Anchorage then drove it to Fairbanks (thats 360 miles).


All those without a cell phone.


Really, its kind of an adventure.

The worst that can happen isn't much different than what you are doing already. Talk to your shipper. Wherever you might get stuck in it, he could pick it up there. Home is only a credit card away on bus train or plane.

I like picking up a strange old car and driving it home, its fun.

BTY how are you planning to ship? I have found using a trucking company terminal to terminal instesd of a car hauler door to door to be about 40% cheaper, plus you don't have to wait for the truck on either end.

Take heed of the cam belt advice, they were only good for like 20,000 miles. Suposedly they are better now, but beware.

Paul
 
Congratulations on your new Lotus..what a blast..

Sounds like an exciting trip home yet it would be somewhat precarious being that you don't know the car..

would be fun but doubt I'd do it with a 24 year old car without personally checking everything out at home at first..

Good luck no matter what..

and have fun..
 
Wow..its hard to believe you can get such a great car for only 3 grand..

What a great find.

Congratulations and only 18K miles...

Is that really the mileage..?

how does some one have a 24 year old car with 18,000 miles?

Thats less than a thousand miles a year????

OMG!

Great find!

enjoy!
 
That mileage is really low.. You can usually tell through carefull inspection if it is correct or not...

And as for me, I'd drive it home as well...Just be nice and don't thrash it about on the way..
yesnod.gif
 
<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by JBsZ06:

Congratulations and only 18K miles...

Is that really the mileage..?

how does some one have a 24 year old car with 18,000 miles? <hr></blockquote>

iagree.gif
I'm sceptical as well. The seller has been persuaded that the odometer is correct. He bought it in south Florida. (which is where I grew up!) If these elites overheat as bad as I'm told, I can imagine just letting sit in a garage. Maybe I'm just dreamin' too hard! We'll see.

Thanks to all for the advice about the timing belt. I'm wondering if it is a very difficult job. And what about the electrical system? Is it going to be full of gremblins?
 
The other side of the coin is quite often there are people who just stare at their car in the garage...

Even if the odometer is off...you still can enjoy it at only 3 grand...

Are they the original tires and if so ..how do they look?

Worst case scenerio..you drop a new motor in.

Just a thought...
 
If it was my car I would have it inspected by a local mechanic or myself before driving it home. A cell phone would be great but I don't have one even though it would have come in handy many times. If you have AAA thats great but if you don't bring their phone number with you. If you need a tow call them up, sign up with a credit card and hang up. Call right back and you are a full member! I don't remember who does this or I would give them credit.

Have fun on the adventure home if you take that route.
 
<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by JBsZ06:


Are they the original tires and if so ..how do they look?

...<hr></blockquote>
 
<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by JBsZ06:


Are they the original tires and if so ..how do they look?

<hr></blockquote>

The seller told me that he put fresh rubber on it about a year and 1/2 ago.

After reviewing my schedual, I've decided to have it shipped here. Bit of a bummer, but you can only spread yourself so thin. But what's worse, I'm told it will take 10 days to get it here! Seem's like a long time. I mean, go south out of Vegas turn right on I40 and your here.
driving.gif
That's how it works right??.. well maybe not.
 
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