From the May 1975 issue of Car and Driver. ... 1974 Lotus Elite Vehicle Type: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 4-passenger, 2-door hatchback. PRICE Base/As Tested: $16,300/$16,300. ENGINE ...

When Lotus brought the Elite II to the United States for the first time, ... The result was initially referred to as the Elite Coupe, but it was called the Eclat when it debuted in October 1975.

His Elite has been in storage since then – for more than 13 years. He had bought a 1973 Lotus Europa Twin Cam to go vintage racing but life beyond cars intruded.