Here is a rarity!

[Martin]

80 Eclat for sale with Rover V8.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Lotus-1980-Lotus-Eclat-Rover-3-9-V8-Tremec-TKO-600_W0QQitemZ190266669963QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Car s_Trucks?hash=item190266669963&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245&_trkparms=72%3A727%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

http://i18.ebayimg.com/08/i/001/1a/10/11d6_12.JPG

[WayneB]

Canadian racing driver John Todds in Montreal, Quebec used to convert Elites (and Esprits) to Buick 215 (Rover) V8 powerplants back in the 70's.

Seemed to suit the car quite well.

I will post the article If anyone wants to read it.

[Dan]

I'd like to read that, thanks.

[WayneB]

Here it is Dan.:)

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f355/WayneBarr/EliteV81.jpg?t=1226804049

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f355/WayneBarr/EliteV82.jpg?t=1226804166

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f355/WayneBarr/EliteV83.jpg?t=1226804269

[Mark Blanchard]

Would have been interesting if Lotus had offered the V8 engine as an option.

That Eclat looks a great buy :).

[WayneB]

Lotus originally were going to offer the 909 V8 as an option in the Elite, but of course that never happened, but I was told they were seriously going to use the 910 Turbo in the Excel (and had a couple of cars running around with that powertrain.)

[Dan]

Thanks Wayne, that is interesting. 12lbs lighter than the original too.

Did they ever get the Esprit V8 kits to the market?

[RoadDad]

I've been watching that car over the past 2 times it's been up for sale. Hmmm...