Description
1991 Lotus Excel 2. 2 SE — Whizz
One of the very last Excels produced — 28th from last | 80, 000 miles | White with Blue Leather
A very reluctant sale of our much-loved 1991 Lotus Excel, affectionately known as Whizz, which we have owned since 2022.
This genuinely would have been our forever Excel, had the opportunity to purchase a Lotus Excel Celebration unexpectedly arisen. We simply couldn’t resist the chance to own one of the rare Celebration cars, so Whizz is now looking for a new home.
A very special Excel
Whizz is the 28th-from-last car to leave the Lotus production line, with just 27 Excels built after her.
Even more unusually, she is one of only two of those final cars finished in White with Blue leather.
We have Lotus provenance documentation confirming her position within the final production run, making this a particularly interesting car for a Lotus enthusiast and collector.
She has covered approximately 80, 000 miles.
Extensive recent mechanical investment
A substantial amount of money has been invested in Whizz during our ownership, including an engine-out mechanical refurbishment costing approximately £8, 000.
This included:
* Original engine rebuilt
* New clutch
* New flywheel
* Recent cambelt change
* Carburettors professionally set up by LotusBits
* New tyres
* Full wheel refurbishment
* Rear seat-belt reinforcement work
* Further associated mechanical work carried out while the engine was out
The car drives extremely well and is wonderfully lively through the rev range.
She also benefits from a stainless-steel exhaust, giving the car a fantastic characterful note. On overrun she has that lovely light crackling and burbling that makes driving an old Lotus so enjoyable.
MOT / remaining work
The car has recently undergone an MOT and, as you would expect from a 35-year-old Lotus, there are some age-related items requiring attention.
The principal items are the brake pipes and coil springs, together with a slight exhaust blow and minor oil seepage.
Importantly, we have already purchased the parts required for the main remedial work, and these will all be included with the car.
Approximately £1, 000 has been spent on parts, including:
* Replacement coil springs
* Brake-line components
* Replacement door frames
* Other associated parts
This gives the next owner a significant head start on the remaining work and avoids the need to source these increasingly difficult-to-find parts.
Interior
The interior has also received approximately £1, 000 of refurbishment during our ownership.
The blue leather interior is a particularly attractive and unusual combination with the white exterior and presents very well for its age.
Bodywork
The bodywork is good overall but, as with any 35-year-old car, there are areas of cosmetic deterioration and imperfections.
It is not being presented as a concours car and would benefit from further cosmetic attention if the next owner wanted to take it to the next level.
We have deliberately been honest about this because we’d rather the next owner know exactly what they’re buying.
History & documentation
Whizz comes with an unusually comprehensive history.
We have all of the documentation and receipts we have accumulated during our ownership, along with the car’s Lotus provenance documentation.
Also included are:
* Fully refurbished spare wheel
* Original Lotus toolkit
* Original jack
* All relevant documentation and receipts
The amount of history and supporting paperwork makes this a particularly well-documented example.
Registration
The car’s original J-registration number will be put back onto the car before sale.
