Lotus Excel

[99t]

Planning on viewing an Excel later today, not sure of year at the moment but vendor thinks it's an SE.. Its been stood for a couple of years so will need some recommissioning, but it is meant to be a decent example generally.

Been doing some reading around model year changes and likely issues on forums but would welcome any comments or suggestions for things to look at..

Thanks

[niagra]

Change the cam belt and tensioner as soon as you can, unless there is a receipt to prove the work done. An engine rebuild is 3-5k.

[Stitch]

I was considering one a while ago.

General thoughts amongst the Lotus community were that it was/is a brilliant car that Lotus criminally failed to market aggressively enough when it was on sale.

There are often issues with leaks so you are likely to find sagging headlining.

Also, there is a metal beam in the door that is likely to corrode and is a PITA to replace - if there is no evidence of them having been replaced, budget for it.

[99t]

Ok thanks will check for those things..

The vendor is actually a friend who also happens to be a Lotus specialist, so i would hope he would give me a fair appraisal of the cars good and bad points!

The purchase price will include the cambelt, a good service and whatever recommissioning is needed for the mot.

Edited by 99t on Thursday 16th September 15:29

Edited by 99t on Thursday 16th September 19:57

[BMWChris]

Sounds like an excellent way to do it.

The main drawback of a Lotus of that era (probably of any era, actually) is a real or percieved lack of reliability. If you've got a local specialist that you trust as a friend then you are some way to solving the problem.

[99t]

Oh well, no Excel for me today, the car was a bit rougher than expected and standing outdoors for a couple of years had definitely done it no favours.

One door beam was completely shot - to the extent that it was starting to push through the doorskin and the door was misaligned at the front by probably an inch due to distortion. The interior was damp and a quite mouldy and the laquer was lifting on one side of the body where it had had paint previously.

It would make a decent project but it needs more work than I'm looking to take on right now..

Edited by 99t on Friday 17th September 12:28

[garethj]

I’m getting my fibreglass wedge thrills from a 1980s Ginetta. Much cheaper than a Lotus to buy and repair, with its Ford underpinnings and galvanised chassis. It’s not as intense to drive of course but it makes me feel like a driving God when I balance it through a corner.

I’d love an Excel (or the masochist in me says an Eclat) but I need room for 3 child seats in the rear so the Ginetta fits the bill.

[Stitch]

99t said:

Oh well, no Excel for me today, the car was a bit rougher than expected and standing outdoors for a couple of years had definitely done it no favours.

One door beam was completely shot - to the extent that it was starting to push through the doorskin and the door was misaligned at the front by probably an inch due to distortion. The interior was damp and a quite mouldy and the laquer was lifting on one side of the body where it had had paint previously.

It <b>would</b> make a decent project but it needs more work than I'm looking to take on right now..

Sounds like a lucky escape!

Excel's aren't economic ot do a big overhaul on, you'll never get your money back.

[300bhp/ton]

99t said:

Oh well, no Excel for me today, the car was a bit rougher than expected and standing outdoors for a couple of years had definitely done it no favours.

One door beam was completely shot - to the extent that it was starting to push through the doorskin and the door was misaligned at the front by probably an inch due to distortion. The interior was damp and a quite mouldy and the laquer was lifting on one side of the body where it had had paint previously.

It <b>would</b> make a decent project but it needs more work than I'm looking to take on right now..

Only being nosy, but what sort of money would they be after for it?

[99t]

Well I could have had it for £1k - that would have included him getting it up and running, freeing off the brakes and a full engine service, cambelt etc, but no other work towards an MOT as I initially thought - in fairness it was first discussed over a beer or two, so we didn't exactly work out the fine details!!

To make it basically tidy and usable it would need (as an absolute minimum) - 4 tyres, new headlining and carpet although the seats looked ok, one door beam replacing and both door handles re-fitting plus paint down one complete side. Probably discs and pads too realistically.

After that it would be a question of what the MOT might throw up and what issues would develop once on the road.

As mentioned above - realistically too much work / cost for what it would ever be worth unless done purely as a labour of love...

[marshalla]

tbh - £1k is far too much for a project Excel unless it has some interesting history - come and have a chat over at LotusExcel.net