Spotted for sale in California is a Lotus Eclat Electric for $7,000
1980 Lotus Eclat
condition: good
cylinders: other
drive: rwd
fuel: electric
odometer: 45558
paint color: yellow
size: mid-size
title status: clean
transmission: manual
type: coupe
This 1980 Lotus was converted to Electric in 2012, driven to the California DMV and was given a Referee Certificate as a Pure Electric Vehicle (EV) with an odometer reading of 40558 mi. I drove it for another 5000 miles, made a few improvements and modifications until her 10 older Optima batteries slowly reduced my range to about 20 miles. This was the time that EV technology was evolving into the current technology of using AC motors with re-gen braking as the right way to go. So I parked the car and started making plans to upgrade the EV by installing an AC motor kit and lithium ion batteries. but my plans have changed and I’d like to pass this project onto another Lotus EV aficionado. There are several ways to get this car back on the road, Here are a few:
The DC motor fix: The old Optimas are dead and can be simply replaced and the car operated using the existing motor, controller and charger. Lithium ion batteries would be a much better choice.
The AC motor fix: There’s an electric conversion company in San Marcos California that sells kits for $7598 which has everything you need not including batteries. Lithium ion batteries will add another $3000 to $6000. This was the direction I was planning on pursuing.
The recycled EV fix: Some EV converters have used the running gear and batteries from recycled EVs such as Fiat 500E or Teslas. This could be a cost efficient direction to go.
The Lotus currently has:
10” Mars Series wound DC motor
Miata 5 speed transmission with a clutchless adapter and a custom driveline to the lotus differential
Curtis 1221C controller
Elcon 120v onboard charger
DC-DC solid state converter to charge the 12v accessory battery
10 Optima D34 yellow top batteries and 1 red top (all dead)
The vacuum assist headlight raising mechanism has been replaced with an electric motor
The tires are new, made for minimum rolling resistance mounted to 4 Enkei after market rims in good condition
The exterior is in good shape except for the bumpers (see photos), all of the glass is intact.
The interior is original leather but has a few seams that need attention, The head liner has been removed, and the dash board has been modified to receive new switches and a double height radio. There are other cosmetic parts of the interior that need attention which can be seen in the attached photos.
AI do hope someone will keep this rare version of the classic Lotus on the road with a contemporary and eco friendly drive train.
What do you think?