Highlights

Genuine mileage
Original condition
Increasingly rare

The Appeal

The Lotus Excel was produced between 1982 and 1992 and was loosely based on the earlier Lotus Eclat. With its sleek and aerodynamic design characterized by wedge shaped body, it certainly stands out on the roads of today, and with its fiberglass body, and 2.2-litre fuel-injected engine, certainly holds its own. Producing around 160 bhp it reaches a top speed of 135mph and will accelerate from 0-60mph in around 7 seconds.

It’s not all about drivability and performance though. Just look at it, it represents a time in motoring that was all too brief, but purposeful. A 2+2 sportscar, complete with pop-up headlights and a little helping hand from Toyota who had invested quite heavily in Lotus at the time, ensured that by incorporating several of their components, the reliability was greatly improved.

Owned for about a year, the vendor purchased it from a self-proclaimed Lotus lover and enthusiast who having cared for and improved the car with the intension of keeping it, was only tempted away by the purchase of another Lotus. Upon purchase, the current owner asked PJS Sports cars, the Lotus specialist, to give it a thorough check over to see if it needed any further work, and apart from changing the coolant, flushing the system and attending to a small leak, the car was in great shape.

The History and Paperwork

First registered in 04/03/1988
Rare and expensive workshop manuals – 2 x A4 ring binders
V5c present
Owner’s handbook
Service book with several stamps from Murrays of Edinburgh, the original supplier
Good service history with large file of historical MOTs
MOT until 20/6/24
2 sets of keys
Matching spare alloy wheel and jack

The Interior

Original Suffolk tweed and half leather seats are in good overall condition, with some minor signs of wear to the driver’s seat and centre console but it all presents exceptionally well for its age
Importantly, there are no rips, tears or marks on the seats
Walnut dash is free from any cracks or damage
Electric windows
Leather steering wheel
Upgraded MP3/WMA and CD Stereo
Headlining nice, clean and taught
Door cards in good shape
Carpets good with overmats
All gauges and electrics work
Clean carpeted boot with full-size spare alloy wheel

The Exterior

Fibreglass body
Original British Racing Green paintwork
Several scratches on the car as illustrated in the photographs
Small imperfection to front bumper, size of 5p coin
Tyres have plenty of tread left
Original Alloys look excellent
Wing mirrors and trim all present well including the door handles and the bumpers
Underneath appears good and solid
Lights all work and are free from any cracks or damage

The Mechanics

2,174cc high compression twin cam engine
5-speed manual gearbox
Cambelt in 2019
Previous work carried out by former owner includes but is not limited to:
Rebuilt Dellorto Carburettors
New clutch and master slave
New copper brake lines
Colling system overhaul including rec-cored rad and new thermostat
New adjustable suspension and springs
Brake callipers stripped and rebuilt
New ball joints, bushings and bolts
New differential output seals
Ignition service carried out with distributor removed and professionally tested
All electrics reported to function correctly
The vendor advises that the car starts on the button and handles impeccably

The Summary

Not only is it a car that has clearly been well cared for in its life, it’s also reportedly quite a rare beast these days with fewer than 130 on the UK roads and a further 285 currently SORNed. With relatively low mileage, and in original condition, this is a car that will appeal to the real drivers out there. Equally, with some attention to the bodywork it could catch the eye of collectors. Either way, with or without a few scratches, nothing will be taking away from the sheer driving pleasure it will bring to its next lucky owner.