Lotus Excel

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Launched in 1982, the Lotus Excel was a development of the earlier Eclat and shared the same well-proven 2.2-litre DOHC slant four that had also been used in the Esprit.

Producing some 160bhp, it could propel the lightweight car to 60 in just 7.1 seconds on its way to a top speed of 135mph. As with all Lotus cars, it was the handling that really impressed and it could run rings around other more powerful sports cars thanks to its superb agility.

Unlike many of its predeccesors however, the Excel was also remarkably well built thanks to a joint venture with Toyota which saw Lotus sharing their chassis know-how in exchange for some Japanese reliability. This meant the Excel shared its five-speed gearbox, drive-train, VDO instruments and electrics plus various other items with the bomb-proof Toyota Supra. It also had a fully galvanized steel backbone chassis and a spacious interior that could accommodate four occupants and their luggage with ease. Add in the rust-free glassfibre bodywork and an integral steel roll cage, and it made for a very safe and sporting family carriage. Just 2,160 examples were made in all before production came to an end in 1992.

Dating from January 1987, this Excel started out in life as a demonstrator with London Lotus and comes with a vast history file showing careful maintenance from new. In the current ownership since 2002, it has covered some 74,900 miles to date and has been in storage for the last 10 years. When acquired by the vendor it was first inspected by an engineer from Autocheck (at 73,307 miles) and comes with a detailed report which summed it up as follows: “An excellent, well cared for Lotus; excellent history file; no major faults found; performed superbly on road test with all functions working correctly”.

A new clutch was fitted in 2004 at 74,756 miles and a very large number of other invoices show that numerous other parts have also been replaced over the years. In April 1992 the car was also featured in a 4-page article about the Excel in Performance Car magazine, a copy of which is retained in the history file. Freshly recommissioned for sale and due to have a new MOT before the auction, it will be driven some 40 miles to Brightwells and looks excellent value at the modest guide price suggested.