Description
Lotus Excel LC 1985 - £8, 500
This car is for sale due to a sporting injury. I need to wear a leg brace and driving a manual is now is just a hassle.
I’ve had loads of major work carried out as I was planning to keep it long term. I’ve just spent nearly £2500 (June 2023) getting a major mechanical overhaul to get it in perfect running order as we planned to do a few big trips. This is the best one for sale in the UK at this price by a long way. If I don’t get what I’m looking for, I will keep it. I spent 2 years trying to find one that wasn’t a dog before buying this one down in the south of England. So avoiding the usual corrosion issues.
Current mileage is 86500 but might go up a little if I get someone to take it for a run.
If you know these cars, I have had everything done that is the usual issues with these and more (See below). The cars ready to drive away and use.
This car is Mot’d until April 2025 and is ready to drive away and enjoy. Nothing needs done, although like any 39 year old car its not perfect. So please remember its age. There is a big folder of history with it.
The car is MOT and tax exempt from April 1 2025.
Bodywork
Full strip back and respray 4 years ago, so none of the usual lacquer peel. Deep shine Lotus white paint. Some blemishes as the car is in regular use for 7 months of the year since the respray. This was done in a top end body shop that specialised in high end cars.
New door beams at this time which were painted before refitting to avoid future corrosion.
Window frames excellent
New Windscreen fitted when resprayed so none of the delamination you get in the corners of every other one I looked at. This is an expensive repair.
Interior
The car has been re-trimmed in Blue Leather to match the original dashboard. This must be one of the best interior of any for sale at this time in the UK. Top grade leather has been used in the restoration and the Lotus Logo stitched into the Headrests. The seats are in perfect condition with no rips or tears. This work has been completed to the highest standard. Carpets were replaced at the same time.
Door cards have had the fabric part replaced.
No sagging on headlining.
All electrics and switches work as they should, including the lights on the door that illuminates the ground. Electric Windows, pop up lights, electric door mirrors all work.
Mechanical
The car has been in getting some major work done by a local Lotus specialist (June 2023) costing nearly £2500, so all work carried out to the highest standard. I asked him to go front to back and replace anything that needed doing as we planned some major road trips with the family this summer.
Just had a major full service including plugs, Air, Fuel and Oil Filters. (June 2023)
New Timing belt (June 2023)
New timing belt and camshaft sprockets (June 2023)
Refurbished Timing Gear adjuster with full bearing and bush replacement (June 2023)
Refurbished distributor (June 2023)
New hydraulic lines for the power steering (June 2023)
Crank oil seals replaced (June 2023)
Replacement Power Steering pump (June 2023)
All rubber carb mounts, bushes and gaskets replaced, carbs rebuilt and tuned (June 2023) – Essential for perfect running and usually neglected.
Replaced and rerouted all fuel breather pipes with upgrade modern materials. (Common fault in Esprits and Excels) (June 2023)
New Fuel Pump
Replacement fuel lines to take modern fuel
Stainless Steel exhaust
Refurbished callipers and braded brake lines
Suspension rebushed
Recent Oil cooler and uprated radiator
Uprated modern cooling fans so no overheating issues.
Fully adjustable Gaz shocks and Coilovers
4 refurbished later Excel wheels with 4 matching modern Rainsport tyres with about 1000 miles on them, so practically new. Beware of mismatched tyres. Excels are terrible with them.
Excellent Chassis. No corrosion.
Other
Insurance valuation without number plate is £11, 000
Comes with Private Numberplate, valued at £1, 500
Tax and MOT exempt in 9 months. ULEZ exempt now.
If it’s still listed, it’s still for sale. No timewasters or agencies and no swaps.
This is the best Lotus Excel listed for this price I can see in the UK. Please no silly offers. They will be ignored. This is a seriously well sorted car, ready to use and enjoy. This is the only one taxed, MOT’d and on the road in Scotland right now for sale.
