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1988 Lotus Excel SE
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.
Vehicle specification
- Year 1988
- Make Lotus
- Model Excel SE
- Colour Green
- Odometer 71,239 Miles
- Engine size 2174
Listing Details
- Seller type Private
- Town Sutton coldfield
- Location West Midlands
- Country United Kingdom
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