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Prestige Dura Ace

"All three Team LOTUS racing frames . . . nothing can get you to the finish line faster."
~~ Catalog Quote ~~

The Dura Ace Prestige was one of three bicycles in the 1987 Team LOTUS Racing Series. The Prestige featured top-of-the-line Japanese components featuring the complete Shimano Dura Ace group, the Elan 75 was equipped with Sugino 75 carbon fiber components and the Lotus Design Cinelli Supreme was completely hand-made in Italy and came equipped with the Campagnolo Super Record group and top-of-the-line Italian components. 
 
The "all new for 1987"  Dura Ace Lotus Prestige is not be confused with the earlier Pacific Cycles Prestige, which is a completely different class of bicycle. The Pacific Cycles Prestige was a mid-entry-level bicycle made in Taiwan. 

The 1987 Lotus Prestige was named for the tubing in the frame, the then new top-of-the-line Tange Prestige double butted chrome moly tubing "the lightest Cro/Mo tubing available".

The Dura Ace Prestige was the first Lotus bicycles to feature a 3-tone paint fade finish.  The 1987 Lotus Elan 75 featured a Black to White paint fade.  By 1988 quite a few models in the Lotus line-up utilized the popular paint fade style. 

The image below was scanned from a 1987 Lotus sales flyer, we've never seen the Lotus Prestige photographed in real life.  If you are lucky enough to have a photo you'd like to share, please contact us here.

1987 Lotus Prestige
Team LOTUS Racing Series
Frame Details Eisho investment cast lugs and bottom bracket shell, semi-wrap seat stay ends, braze on front derailleur, top tube cable guides, shift lever bosses on downtube, two sets of bottle bosses, chrome chain stay, cables under bottom bracket.
Frame Tubing Tange Prestige DB Chrome Moly Headset Shimano Dura Ace
Fork Tange Prestige Blades w/ Chrome Crown Handlebar Nitto 185-F Alloy
Colors White, Medium Blue, Electric Blue Fade Stem Shimano Dura Ace
Frame Sizes 48, 51, 54, 56, 58, 60, 63 cm Brakes Shimano Dura Ace
Crank Shimano Dura Ace 42-52 Seatpost Shimano Dura Ace
Pedals Shimano Dura Ace Saddle Selle Italia Super Turbo Black Suede
Shift Levers Shimano Dura Ace S.I.S. Rims Araya Pro Staff, Super Hard Anodized, 32 Holes
Front Derailleur Shimano Dura Ace Brazed On Hubs Shimano Dura Ace
Rear Derailleur Shimano Dura Ace S.I.S. Spokes 14-15 DB Stainless Steel
Freewheel Shimano Dura Ace 12-21 7-Speed Tires Panaracer Leger, Tubular
Chain Shimano Dura Ace Silver Weight 20.5 lbs. for 54cm
Notes Accessories: LOTUS Water Bottle, Rim Cement, Alloy Cage.
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