This 1978 Lotus Eclat Sprint shows 51k miles and is powered by its original 2.0 liter Lotus 907 inline-four paired to a 5-speed manual gearbox. The selling dealer acquired this US-market example a few months ago from its longterm second owner, who purchased the car in 1984 and has kept it in the Pacific Northwest since. It features fiberglass bodywork, a solid backbone frame, and a reupholstered interior. The original carburetors have been replaced with Dellortos and the emissions equipment has been removed, though the previous owner retained all of the parts. The car is sold by BaT regular DENWERKS with records from the previous owner and a clean Oregon title.

Because Lotus felt that the Eclat name would be unappealing to US buyers, US-bound examples were badged as Sprints. Only 1,519 Eclats were produced, with 337 going to the US and Japan. and the remainder sold in Europe. Retaining its original emblems and stripe package, the car falls near the top of the range with alloy wheels, A/C, power steering, and a 5-speed gearbox.

The bodywork is straight with good panel gaps for a low production fiberglass car. The rubberized US-market bumpers have degraded so the previous owner wrapped them in black vinyl to improve their appearance. The solution appears to have worked well, though fiberglass replacements and Euro-bumpers are both available.

The car is claimed to wear original paint, and some crazing and checking is visible in the finish when viewed up close. There are a few chips, and the level of patina is consistent overall. The vacuum operated headlights work but go up and down slowly.

The cabin was reupholstered by the previous owner and appears quite different than it would have from the factory. The dash and center console have been covered in a patterned material, and the wood is heavily varnished. The original radio has been retained, and the factory A/C is not working.

The light colored seats show well in photos and the patterns used resemble the originals.

The previous owner had the 2.0 liter twin cam inline-four rebuilt by MiniMotors in Salem, Oregon at around 47k miles. Modifications included deleting the smog equipment and a conversion to twin Dellorto carbs in place of the US-market Strombergs. A stainless exhaust is fitted with a crossover muffler in place of the catalytic converter. The carburetor choke is manually operated is said function.

Engine #M7771014251 is original as confirmed by the chassis tag pictured in the gallery below.

The previous owner retained many of the mechanical components removed from the car, including the stock intake manifold, carburetors, air box, smog pump and lines, exhaust manifold, and catalytic converter.

Series 1 Sprints were known for serious corrosion issues stemming from the use of felt gaskets between the body and the backbone frame. The underside of this example shows well in pictures with solid steel and fiberglass. The tires have good tread but are older and should be replaced.

The seller has provided a comprehensive walk-around and drive video.

Documentation includes a binder full of records from the previous owner along with a workshop manual, parts book, and period marketing materials.