I know your excitement at finding a Lotus because that was a machine I was longing for. Then my OSMG found one and gave it to me. It was in pretty bad shape but it cleaned up nicely. I would love to make it into a treadle but I have no room for a treadle base so I am looking to get a base made for it. I would like to turn it into a hand crank but alas, it has no motor base mount so that is out of the question. It was electrified when I got it so I will keep it that way.