A Classic Lotus... EXCELlent!
Discussion
So I still have my Evora 400, but have decided to get a classic to run alongside. Getting a classic Lotus wasn't on my radar at all, I was supposed to be getting the bathroom done but that all went a bit pete tong. Someone on the Lotus forum mentioned they were thinking of selling theirs and as I know the chap I did something most stupid - bought a car sight unseen. He was asking less than what he'd spent on it, which included getting all the painful mechanical bits sorted - new clutch, major service inc belts, sorting the brakes etc.... so I am left with the cosmetics and "niggly" stuff to do.
Here's the car:
For those unaware, the Excel is a four seater (or 2+2 if the front occupants are tall) with a reasonable boot and a high compression version of the venerable Lotus twin-cam. It might have been an old engine by the time it got to this car, but 180bhp from a 2.2L doesn't sound bad even by modern standards. That's the "SE" bit - the regular Excel had a more modest 160bhp. Consider for a moment the Civic Type-R my girlfriend runs has 197bhp from 2.0L - it's not bad for an engine that's a 70s design. The Lotus unit is an all-alloy DOHC 16v slant-four unit, fed by a pair of twin-choke Dellorto carbs. Carbs! My first car with carbs, will be fun.
Once you get used to the microscopic pedal box it's a pleasure to drive. Big bumps in the road will bottom it out but otherwise it's very enjoyable. It handles well, certainly goes well as it only has 1170kg to shift. It sounds very good too for a four, with a nice burble on the overrun. The interior is a feast of leather and wood, definitely in need of TLC but not bad. It was a "barn find", one chap buying it in 1999 and then for whatever reason not using it from about 2005 onwards. The great news is that the chassis on these were galvanised as standard and this one's in good nick. Fibreglass doesn't rust so corrosion is limited to the door frames, which I have a plan for.
All in, I'm looking forward to my first classic.
Here's the car:
For those unaware, the Excel is a four seater (or 2+2 if the front occupants are tall) with a reasonable boot and a high compression version of the venerable Lotus twin-cam. It might have been an old engine by the time it got to this car, but 180bhp from a 2.2L doesn't sound bad even by modern standards. That's the "SE" bit - the regular Excel had a more modest 160bhp. Consider for a moment the Civic Type-R my girlfriend runs has 197bhp from 2.0L - it's not bad for an engine that's a 70s design. The Lotus unit is an all-alloy DOHC 16v slant-four unit, fed by a pair of twin-choke Dellorto carbs. Carbs! My first car with carbs, will be fun.
Once you get used to the microscopic pedal box it's a pleasure to drive. Big bumps in the road will bottom it out but otherwise it's very enjoyable. It handles well, certainly goes well as it only has 1170kg to shift. It sounds very good too for a four, with a nice burble on the overrun. The interior is a feast of leather and wood, definitely in need of TLC but not bad. It was a "barn find", one chap buying it in 1999 and then for whatever reason not using it from about 2005 onwards. The great news is that the chassis on these were galvanised as standard and this one's in good nick. Fibreglass doesn't rust so corrosion is limited to the door frames, which I have a plan for.
All in, I'm looking forward to my first classic.
Edited by jayemm89 on Wednesday 17th August 13:25
NDNDNDND said:
Ahh, lovely. I was always weirdly drawn to these, but I don't think I have enough brave pills left in the cupboard!
The strange thing is if you're inclined to get a classic they're actually pretty solid. The Excel was the result of a tie-up between Lotus and Toyota. Lotus helped build the Supra-Celica, in exchange they got to raid Toyota's toy cupboard. So this has a Toyota gearbox, Toyota heater control, Toyota brakes, Toyota rear suspension bits etc....The Lotus engine is also pretty solid if well maintained - being NA rather than turbo seriously cuts down on the list of things to go bang.
I always wanted a Giugiaro Esprit, but I've completely missed the boat on those price-wise. But there's something really cool about these. They look impossibly low and sleek when parked next to anything modern.
williamp said:
very nice. I still have a buying guide from performance car in the early 90s for this. From memory they recommend testing the winscreen washers, as its a huge job to get them to work.
Fortunately mine work! I hesitate to say "work well", but they work.As do the pop-up headlamps. In fact, the output from the lights is very impressive. I expected them to be crap.
I think like most old cars, if they've been well maintained they will be mostly reliable, but if they are allowed to fall into disrepair then that'll make the problems pile up thick and fast. They didn't make many of these and I wonder how many still remain.
That looks very cool, well done for getting one with some of the big jobs done.
I also love the old Esprits, but the prices have risen steadily and I kind of needed a 2+2 so I went for an Elan +2 in the end. A good deal older than yours, but similar engine tech, and still feels like a proper Lotus.
Have fun,
Rich
I also love the old Esprits, but the prices have risen steadily and I kind of needed a 2+2 so I went for an Elan +2 in the end. A good deal older than yours, but similar engine tech, and still feels like a proper Lotus.
Have fun,
Rich
I loved mine when I had it.
How would you say it handles compared to your Evora? Just thinking about the difference in age, has Lotus improved the handling and ride that much?
I'm sure you know but I'll say it just in case - if the cam belt hasn't been done recently then get it do along with the tensioner bearing.
Couple of places that might interest you:
A few 'how to guides' and Some interesting paperwork
How would you say it handles compared to your Evora? Just thinking about the difference in age, has Lotus improved the handling and ride that much?
I'm sure you know but I'll say it just in case - if the cam belt hasn't been done recently then get it do along with the tensioner bearing.
Couple of places that might interest you:
A few 'how to guides' and Some interesting paperwork
I had two previous Excel SE's, both slightly older than yours, a 1987 and a 1988 model
Great cars, superbly balanced chassis, not quick in a straight line, but, through the twisties it was really rewarding
Both were very expensive to run, I did use main dealer servicing though
My second one had some head work and slightly bigger carbs, with straight trumpets and air filter socks, sounded epic on induction
I have always been tempted with getting another, in fact, within 5 mins drive of my house I know of 3 that are used as daily drives
Great cars, superbly balanced chassis, not quick in a straight line, but, through the twisties it was really rewarding
Both were very expensive to run, I did use main dealer servicing though
My second one had some head work and slightly bigger carbs, with straight trumpets and air filter socks, sounded epic on induction
I have always been tempted with getting another, in fact, within 5 mins drive of my house I know of 3 that are used as daily drives
Hi James.
Excellent choice of car. Welcome, finally, to the world of all things that go bang !!
I had the predecessor, the Eclat 523.
It was great. I loved every moment of owning it. The greatest thing was it a great deal more exclusive and faster than my mates cars, typically mk1 escorts and Capris' which were cheaper at the time !!
How is the headlining ?
Pretty bulletproof cars other than fit and finish.
Mind you, I owned mine a fair few years ago and we both had a few less miles on us !
Excellent choice of car. Welcome, finally, to the world of all things that go bang !!
I had the predecessor, the Eclat 523.
It was great. I loved every moment of owning it. The greatest thing was it a great deal more exclusive and faster than my mates cars, typically mk1 escorts and Capris' which were cheaper at the time !!
How is the headlining ?
Pretty bulletproof cars other than fit and finish.
Mind you, I owned mine a fair few years ago and we both had a few less miles on us !
Thanks for the comments guys
@SkeggySteve, it's totally different to the Evora. This thing moves and pitches and rolls and does all sorts of things, the Evora is tight as a drum in comparison. Obviously I'm still getting to grips with the Excel but the Evora is just a ludicrously faster car... but then it should be.
@AndyAstraSRi - I do like the sound of trumpets on this... it sounds pretty good as is but would sound epic with straight-in induction... Hmm....
@ViscountDallara The headlining has been retrimmed... although in the incorrect colour! I am not sure what to do about it. Other things need to be dealt with first.
I sorted a squeak out today, turns out it was coming from the seat belt clip of all places! A bit of lubricant sorted that out.
@SkeggySteve, it's totally different to the Evora. This thing moves and pitches and rolls and does all sorts of things, the Evora is tight as a drum in comparison. Obviously I'm still getting to grips with the Excel but the Evora is just a ludicrously faster car... but then it should be.
@AndyAstraSRi - I do like the sound of trumpets on this... it sounds pretty good as is but would sound epic with straight-in induction... Hmm....
@ViscountDallara The headlining has been retrimmed... although in the incorrect colour! I am not sure what to do about it. Other things need to be dealt with first.
I sorted a squeak out today, turns out it was coming from the seat belt clip of all places! A bit of lubricant sorted that out.
jayemm89 said:
Thanks for the comments guys
@SkeggySteve, it's totally different to the Evora. This thing moves and pitches and rolls and does all sorts of things, the Evora is tight as a drum in comparison. Obviously I'm still getting to grips with the Excel but the Evora is just a ludicrously faster car... but then it should be.
@AndyAstraSRi - I do like the sound of trumpets on this... it sounds pretty good as is but would sound epic with straight-in induction... Hmm....
@ViscountDallara The headlining has been retrimmed... although in the incorrect colour! I am not sure what to do about it. Other things need to be dealt with first.
I sorted a squeak out today, turns out it was coming from the seat belt clip of all places! A bit of lubricant sorted that out.
If you remove the airbox you will find the trumpets in there, its just a case of removing the trumpets, taking the airbox off and re-attaching@SkeggySteve, it's totally different to the Evora. This thing moves and pitches and rolls and does all sorts of things, the Evora is tight as a drum in comparison. Obviously I'm still getting to grips with the Excel but the Evora is just a ludicrously faster car... but then it should be.
@AndyAstraSRi - I do like the sound of trumpets on this... it sounds pretty good as is but would sound epic with straight-in induction... Hmm....
@ViscountDallara The headlining has been retrimmed... although in the incorrect colour! I am not sure what to do about it. Other things need to be dealt with first.
I sorted a squeak out today, turns out it was coming from the seat belt clip of all places! A bit of lubricant sorted that out.
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