1984 Lotus Excel
Discussion
Thanks, I will post some more next week.
Here is a detail of the curious 90s immobiliser. Imagine an object shaped like a tiny set of Pan Pipes that plugs in to an aperture in the dash. The chain link between it and the key ring looks rather like a watch chain, as seen on the rather over filled waistcoat of the traditional Rumpole type bazzer. I have never had and never wanted to have a watch on a chain, I hasten to add.
Note also somewhat scruffy panel, OK ish but faded carpet, and the override switch fitted by some bloke.
Here is a detail of the curious 90s immobiliser. Imagine an object shaped like a tiny set of Pan Pipes that plugs in to an aperture in the dash. The chain link between it and the key ring looks rather like a watch chain, as seen on the rather over filled waistcoat of the traditional Rumpole type bazzer. I have never had and never wanted to have a watch on a chain, I hasten to add.
Note also somewhat scruffy panel, OK ish but faded carpet, and the override switch fitted by some bloke.
Edited by anonymous-user on Saturday 11th July 17:14
Lovely car.
Reminds me of when in the 1980s I had to repossess an Éclat Sprint along with a colleague. Once we'd gained access, my "generously proportioned" colleague couldn't get in it so I had the pleasure of driving it back to base. It's handling was a revelation bearing in mind my company car was a Talbot Sunbeam and I took the long way back to Tim & Zoe Randles in Stoke.
Always liked these Lotuses (Loti ?) although my favourite would have to be the Elite.
Reminds me of when in the 1980s I had to repossess an Éclat Sprint along with a colleague. Once we'd gained access, my "generously proportioned" colleague couldn't get in it so I had the pleasure of driving it back to base. It's handling was a revelation bearing in mind my company car was a Talbot Sunbeam and I took the long way back to Tim & Zoe Randles in Stoke.
Always liked these Lotuses (Loti ?) although my favourite would have to be the Elite.
One rather annoying thing about an early Excel is that the three spoke steering wheel (initially an option, later standard) is set quite high and obscures the temperature gauge and some warning lights. The instruments are in the same layout as in an Eclat. The Eclat's two spoke steering wheel (also seen on some very early Excels) allows you to see all the instruments and lights. The later Excel has a revised panel layout that is not obscured by the steering wheel.
GC8 said:
I saw a light blue S.E.i the other day, which had interesting (to me) Compomotive wheels and black RX8 seats fitted.
Gold Compomotives ? That would be A100CMR (aka Mr. Cool A) - a modified Pacific Blue Excel SE running an aftermarket fuel-injection and uprated engine (good for around 250bhp if memory serves). On his way to the Chatsworth gathering (early because he has a habit of losing wheels). I'm just popping off to polish my anorak now.
Someone reading this and hankering after an Excel, buy this one! Some eBay ads drive you bonkers, some are hilariously rubbish. This sounds like a pleasant lad selling what could be a pretty decent motor. Pity it's white!
I like this part of the ad -
"For anyone who has never driven or been in an Excel before, they are incredible. Ive owned a number of fruity motorbikes and cars yet this is the most entertaining with amazing steering feel, balance and the best 4 cylinder noise ive ever heard."
I would agree with him entirely save for the fact that, through sheer luck and being old, I have driven some cars that are even more entertaining and sound even better than an Excel, but I think he is right to praise the type.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lotus-Excel-SE-1986-QUIC...
Also a red 1990 on eBay, crrebntly at 1500, could be more of a project.
I like this part of the ad -
"For anyone who has never driven or been in an Excel before, they are incredible. Ive owned a number of fruity motorbikes and cars yet this is the most entertaining with amazing steering feel, balance and the best 4 cylinder noise ive ever heard."
I would agree with him entirely save for the fact that, through sheer luck and being old, I have driven some cars that are even more entertaining and sound even better than an Excel, but I think he is right to praise the type.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lotus-Excel-SE-1986-QUIC...
Also a red 1990 on eBay, crrebntly at 1500, could be more of a project.
Not much to report just lately, as I have been busy at work and buying an old Rover and an old Jag. The Lotus has been parked up in storage in London while waiting for a new fan and fan cowling, and these should be fitted this week, so I can start driving it again. The interior sortage will follow. I might start with some carpets.
I have been driving the Lotus a fair bit lately. This is despite it still having only one working rad fan, but the second fan goes in on Tuesday. It has also developed a split coolant hose, so there have been some exciting moments involving tape and glugs of coolant into the header tank (engine running, natch). Thus far no boilage, although close. I would replace the hose, but now CBA as the car will be in the garage anyway on Tuesday.
I have noticed that the car has an aircon compressor, but this has been bypassed by the fitting of a shorter alternator belt. The compressor is probably foutu, and in any event would run ye olde gas, no longer available. I might look into some sort of conversion or whatevs, but am not that bothered.
The gearchange is occasionally a tad balky from second to third. To be investigated, but thus far I have just got used to the change and compensate for slight balkiness with swearing. The choke cable is broken at the dash, but the choke can be set from inside the engine compartment for cold and damp mornings.
The radio is uber pants, and the passenger door trim is loose. Otherwise, the car is going well, and hoots and roars muchly. I left it at a pub yesterday, so am now donning my under used running shoes to jog over and retrieve it, cor blimey.
I have noticed that the car has an aircon compressor, but this has been bypassed by the fitting of a shorter alternator belt. The compressor is probably foutu, and in any event would run ye olde gas, no longer available. I might look into some sort of conversion or whatevs, but am not that bothered.
The gearchange is occasionally a tad balky from second to third. To be investigated, but thus far I have just got used to the change and compensate for slight balkiness with swearing. The choke cable is broken at the dash, but the choke can be set from inside the engine compartment for cold and damp mornings.
The radio is uber pants, and the passenger door trim is loose. Otherwise, the car is going well, and hoots and roars muchly. I left it at a pub yesterday, so am now donning my under used running shoes to jog over and retrieve it, cor blimey.
The Lotus now has a new fan and new coolant hoses and various other bits and bobs, but this morning on the M11 its ignition switch gave up the ghost, so it is currently running via a hotwire. This is very Grand Theft Auto, yo b
hes!
A well used DeLorean stopped by at the Fourwentways Shell Garage where the AA dude was setting up the hotwire. Lovely thing, not at all Back to the Futured, driven by a cool dude who also has a Norton or two back at home. I had never had the chance to look over a Delorean closely before - fun machine, especially when no flux capacitator fitted.
hes!A well used DeLorean stopped by at the Fourwentways Shell Garage where the AA dude was setting up the hotwire. Lovely thing, not at all Back to the Futured, driven by a cool dude who also has a Norton or two back at home. I had never had the chance to look over a Delorean closely before - fun machine, especially when no flux capacitator fitted.
This thread brings back memories. I used to own a yellow '83 excel. One of my favorite cars :-)
I have fond memories of it blowing a hose and dropping all its steering fluid on a wet handling slalom course. I thought it just made it all the more fun but I don't think the porsche brigade liked it showing up how badly their cars handled
I have fond memories of it blowing a hose and dropping all its steering fluid on a wet handling slalom course. I thought it just made it all the more fun but I don't think the porsche brigade liked it showing up how badly their cars handled
e21Mark said:
I've never owned a Lotus and threads like this don't help! It looks so good and the Excel really seems to have come of age.
How are they for room inside? Could a tall, fat bloke drive one?
don't see why not, it is a genuine 4 seater. Although a tall fat bloke might struggle in the back seats How are they for room inside? Could a tall, fat bloke drive one?
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