New Engine and Accessories - US location $5k

[TorqueHorse]

Not mine, and it's ebay, so buyer beware, but the photos look neat at least.
https://ebay.us/m/GeFDsK

[dapinky]

I have 2 thoughts, with absolutely no reliable data from which to extrapolate them!!!!

1) The only other item that the seller has previously sold (or, at least, got feedback from) was listed as a 17" OE Elan wheel...... and they never existed.

2) The condition of the engine (from the photos) and the fact that it is on a pallet suggests that it has been stored well - the geographical location of the (fairly new to Ebay) seller makes me wonder if it came from JC's collection.

[steve matthews]

I have 2 thoughts, with absolutely no reliable data from which to extrapolate them!!!!

1) The only other item that the seller has previously sold (or, at least, got feedback from) was listed as a 17" OE Elan wheel...... and they never existed.

2) The condition of the engine (from the photos) and the fact that it is on a pallet suggests that it has been stored well - the geographical location of the (fairly new to Ebay) seller makes me wonder if it came from JC's collection.

Bingo!

[robinlarry]

I can't get the seller to respond. He offered to sell it at $4000 but no response now.

[TorqueHorse]

Oh dang, that stinks. Considering you are getting a brand new turbo, bearings, cams, lifters, valves, pistons, and crankshaft (many of which are hard to source now) that starts to sound like a good price! Hope the seller responds

[KenS]

Just a word of caution, a year ago I purchased a near identical factory fresh paletted plug and play M100 engine complete with starter motor, turbo etc, with parts on it dated 1991. Cosmetically it still looks near brand new, but on changing the timing belt, hoses and water pump I found quite severe internal corrosion that require extensive cleaning, the sludge and corrosion was still wet! I didn't change the core plugs and am still a bit woried about those although I have completed quite a few miles subsequently without problems. So it looks like the Lotus factory test ran these new engines back in 1991-1994 and then failed to fully drain the cooling system, which may have been plain water, the remenants of that water has remained active in the waterways for 30+ years.
I know of one other 'new' crated M100 engine which also has the same severe internal corrosion, so mine is not an isolated case. These engines are still definitely worth aquiring, but be aware of this potential issue.