So, my aunt was over for the holidays, and offered me my Deceased uncle's old "race bike." She's not a cyclist, and was pretty scarce on the details but here's all I know thus far:

Late 70s
Lotus
Steel frame

Did lotus actually make road bikes back then? Or is it a decent brand simply repainted? Or is it something like one of those "Jeep" or "hummer" mountain bikes they sell at sharper image?

I'll take pictures as soon as I can, but any initial impressions would be great. I'm a bit taller than my uncle was, and I think it could be a fun side project to restore. At the very worst, it won't fit me, I'll have fun tinkering with it, and I could give it to my cousin, who is pretty much exactly his Dad's size, and recently getting back into cycling after a long hiatus from the sport. (He has 4 kids and totally wouldn't have the time for a project like this on his own, but I think it could be a really nice gift)