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LOTUS ECLAT CHASSIS CHANGE
WEEK 1
WEEK 2
WEEK 3R
WEEK 4R
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DISCLAIMER

This is a photographic record of how the chassis of a Lotus Eclat was changed by two people over a period of 4 weeks during March and April 2011. It is NOT a set of step by step instructions for you to follow to change your own chassis. Just a record of how WE did it. So if you rely on this to show you 'how it is done' and then 'cock' it up, I accept no responsibility-- so dont come crying to me!!

I have had over 15 years of owning and driving my beloved 1976 Lotus Eclat.

However this has only been possible with the help of my long suffering best mate Roger who had to do all the welding and most of the repairs to keep it going.

Due to the chassis being only powder coated, rust had inevitably appeared over the years and for the last 2 years Roger has been complaining he couldn't keep it going any longer ( I think he was running out of gas and welding wire!!!),

So for the last 2 years I have been trying to source a replacement galvanised chassis.

In February of this year (2011) one was advertised on eBay. Quite a distance from my home -- but hey -- beggers can't be choosers. I put a bid on and won.

After collecting it and looking at the original chassis for its MOT in April, it was decided to change it straight away instead of waiting until the summer as we had originally planned.

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Many years ago Roger and a few friends (me included|) dug a pit in his garage so he could work on his car underneath more easily. For our hard work, he generously offered to allow us to use the pit if we ever needed it.As far as I am concerned, I think he has regretted the offer ever since. I think we use it for my Lotus more than his car!

Anyway, it was decided to change the chassis at his garage and take advantage of getting underneath easily. This was to prove a godsend and speeded the work up no end.

Although it took us 4 weeks, it could have been done quicker. However, with the chassis removed it was too good an opportunity to examine, to replace, to repair, to paint, to renew etc etc you get the idea!

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