1984 Lotus Excel

Author
Discussion

Benbay001

5,797 posts

157 months

Sunday 18th October 2015
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I had 4 in mine a number of times

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

54 months

Saturday 24th October 2015
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The rear seat passengers have to fold themselves up a bit to get into and out of the car, but once they are installed they sit in reasonable comfort. If you packed lightly, you could do a weekend away with four adults in an Excel.

The alternator belt split the other night, but I was not far from home at the time and I made it home on dipped beams with the radio and fans switched off. I will go and buy a new ignition switch and belt at the local motor factors today.

LittleEnus

3,226 posts

174 months

Saturday 24th October 2015
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I drove an Excel SE when it was new- fantastic things. Love it

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

54 months

Saturday 24th October 2015
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A late SE is really the one to have (although I like the slightly slimmer looks and general shonkiness of my early non SE). It is a pity that Lotus never spent the money to fit fuel injection to the later cars.

Rangeroverover

1,523 posts

111 months

Friday 13th November 2015
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You really aren't helping, I had an elite (hatchbacky version) in the early 90's, I really really want another one,I swapped it for an alfa GTV6 with ansa pipes , I can still hear the noise, the elite had a bit of an incedent, my (now ex|) wife managed a win double at Southwark crown court in that she managed to damage Mr Justice Henry's car and John Chadwick's in one simple attempt at parking between their cars.

I decided to keep a low profile in court that afternoon as Chadwick was prosecuting and Henry judging.

I might have done a terrible thing and picked up the broken tailight glass from Chadwicks car and carefully placed it on Henry's bumper,

I came clean the next day, and would accept money from me as it was only tiny damage.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

54 months

Monday 11th January 2016
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OMG HGF!

That head gasket had been pretty suspect for a while, I suppose, as the car had been running hot.

Should be no biggie to fix, especially as the engine is all alloy (famous last words...). The car is due into dry dock anyway, for all sorts of fiddly jobs.

SJ Sports Cars (reliable supplier of Excel bits) can now celebrate further and better ker-ching moments, so it's an ill wind ...

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

54 months

Monday 27th March 2017
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Update: The car sat around on its arse for some time, whilst I was busy with various real life blah. I then flogged it off very cheapo to a bloke who did it up a bit (mechanically), and he sold it to a dealer, who was selling it online the other week for what seemed to me a bit too much, as the interior is still (AFAIK) rather shonky. I wish that I had kept the car and got it done up myself, but selling it seemed the right thing to do at the time, because reasons!

GC8

19,910 posts

190 months

Sunday 2nd April 2017
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Never sell!

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

54 months

Monday 3rd April 2017
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Too blooming right! I am now contemplating buying another Eclat or even an Elite. I know, I know; but when you're addicted, you're addicted.

TR4man

5,227 posts

174 months

Monday 3rd April 2017
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Many, many years ago I helped repossess an Eclat.

I worked for a finance company and someone whose size of wallet didn't match the size of their ambition fell behind on the payments.

I can remember that it was quite an unusual one in that it had a targa type roof. I couldn't fathom out how to release the roof so drove back to the office with both windows down due to the smell of stale cigarettes.

I can also remember that I was quite disappointed with the sound (or lack of it) - it didn't sound as fruity as I'd hoped it would.

Funny how things stick in the mind.

kev b

2,715 posts

166 months

Monday 3rd April 2017
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Breadvan, I have a mate with two Elites in storage, he is moving house and needs them gone.

Please buy them to stop me ending up with them, I know I don't need another Lotus but I am just too tempted.

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

54 months

Monday 3rd April 2017
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Please PM me details!

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

54 months

Monday 3rd April 2017
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TR4man, there was a late special edition Eclat that had a lift out roof, IIRC.

Usually a Lotus 900 series engine with Dellortos on it is one of the most pleasant sounding four cylinder engines around. Maybe the one you drove was off its feed.

GC8

19,910 posts

190 months

Monday 3rd April 2017
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Did you sell because you needed the money for a mistress? Did the crack-like lady from the bar / your youth reappear? I always assumed that you had the means to keep two or three at once...

gforceg

3,524 posts

179 months

Monday 3rd April 2017
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This might not be shonky enough but I thought I'd leave it here anyway.

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C828561


anonymous-user

Original Poster:

54 months

Monday 3rd April 2017
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Cheers, but -

(1) Way over priced.
(2) White background (see 1).
(3) It's sold anyway.
(4) I wouldn't buy from a dealer who can't even spell concours!

gforceg

3,524 posts

179 months

Monday 3rd April 2017
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All fair points. I confess I missed the crucial fact it's sold.

Did you spot the green Esprit for sale? Holy moly....

anonymous-user

Original Poster:

54 months

Monday 3rd April 2017
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GC8 said:
Did you sell because you needed the money for a mistress? Did the crack-like lady from the bar / your youth reappear? I always assumed that you had the means to keep two or three at once...
What, Lotuses, or Mistresses? is there a difference?



GC8

19,910 posts

190 months

Tuesday 4th April 2017
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hehe

Jonmx

2,544 posts

213 months

Tuesday 4th April 2017
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It would seem your departed Excel's sister car is up for sale. Very similar vrm. Not that I've been browsing classifieds for old Lotuses I certainly can't afford or justify!

http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/lotus/excel/21...