The Lotus Grand Tourers

Hi all,

I've just joined the forum having become the custodian of a 1990 Excel SE in the last week. It is/was my dad's car project, but has sat on his drive not moving for the last 10 years. He'd been offered some money for it a few times, but always held on to it, having invested so much time and money in it over the years, and hoped to get back to it. Now he's told me its my project rather than his, as he was going to give it to me when he "fell off his perch" to use his words. So now it's my job to get it legal again so he can enjoy some drives in it.

It is Monaco white and algae/mould currently! It has been covered but the windscreen has cracked and needs replacing, a new fuel pump to fit soon as well as as just seeing over the next two weeks whether I can get the old girl to start! She still has oil, but the coolant leaked so that is all empty - so something to find there.

At 47 you'd think i'd be a bit over the idea of tinkering in cars with my dad, but I cannot wait to get started. And whilst it is bound to take years and be a bottomless pit of money (notes nodding heads in the audience) I fully intend to get it back to showroom glory! Well eventually anyway! Already enjoying flicking through the workshop manual set!

So my starter for 10, is probably an easy one. What is the best way to clean the bodywork in the hope of getting rid of a lot of green algae, without killing whatever is left of the gel coat?

Look forward to reading the posts and hearing about events, and maybe being useful to someone else along the way!

Duncs

Welcome. Liking the description of the colour. You'll fit in well here.
Lots of useful and informative stuff on the forum. Not much that hasn't been tackled by someone at some time or other and documented here.

I'd start with a jet wash. If its been sat in a drive for years, it's doubtful its dry inside a way.

Tony

Hi Duncs

Welcome. I agree with Tony as regards the jet wash as a good place to start.

Don't try to start the engine without replacing the belts.

We do like pictures here.

Chris

Welcome Duncs, we're looking forward to riding with you on your restoration adventure!

Whereabouts are you? If you are near some of the regulars, I'm sure you'd be welcome to pop over if you want to see what something is supposed to look like, or just for some advice and natter in person - or we can come over to ogle the work to be done!

You can get tar and glue remover, such as this, maybe it would help if the algae is resistant to jet wash and normal car shampoo?

Welcome to the forum Duncs

To tackle the algae I'd suggest coating the car with Snow Foam car cleaner and letting it soak in for a while out of direct sunlight and when the ambient temperature is cool.

Hi all,

Thanks for the welcome. I am based in Surrey/Greater London, near the top of the M3. Great tips on the initial clean and starting. The car is currently up near Milton Keynes, but once it has an MOT I will drive it down here, unless the work needed is too great in which case I will need to get it trailered down (£££!). Heading up this Sunday morning for a bit so will try and get a couple of pics then and post them.

Duncs

Hi Duncs, you are at least the second father to son benefactor this month, those of us still on the perch should take notice.
I do believe most Excel owners appreciate their cars so much that when the time comes to part with our cars we prefer
a carefull enthusiastic next owner to a simple cash equation.

Please do not try and start the engine without previously hand turning following oil check and cambelt integrity. It is easy to take the plugs out
to make turning easier.

A note for you and other Forum members, I have just bought a genuine Gates 5146 cam belt from Autodoc for 17.83€ plus delivery. UK made. Fast delivery here to Spain.
Duncs, if you change the belt before power turning the engine, with the belt off you can spin the oil pump through the auxiliary pulley only and
guarantee oil to the main bearings etc. before powering up.

Welcome to our Forum.

Dave the cog.

Duncs, do not buy the Gates 5146 cambelt as your engine has HC rounded profile pulleys, not trapeizoidal as the 5146 is.

Dave the cog.

DavidOliver wrote: ↑

Wed Jun 16, 2021 12:36

Duncs, do not buy the Gates 5146 cambelt as your engine has HC rounded profile pulleys, not trapeizoidal as the 5146 is.

Dave the cog.

Got it!

Hi Duncs! All Excels are painted - none are gel-coat finish. I can't remember whether Monaco White has a clear lacquer or is a "solid" colour (ie not base + clear). The later cars are all two pack paint though I think. Sounds like a great project! Looking forward to seeing some photos. What colour is the interior?

Pete

Hi and welcome to the forum Duncs good luck with project look forward to some snaps ....

Welcome Dunc.

Take care around the 'Excel' badges (decals) when pressure washing.

Don't ask how I know.

. The car is currently up near Milton Keynes, but once it has an MOT I will drive it down here, unless the work needed is too great in which case I will need to get it trailered down (£££!). Heading up this Sunday morning

I'm only 10 miles up the road from MK. Would be happy to drop by if you come up Sunday and I wouldn't be intruding. Feel free to PM me.
Tony

Mines monaco white plus clearcoat.
Bash

Sorry it has taken a few weeks to get some pics up of the new SE, but life has been getting in the way of getting back to the car. Hopefully I have figured out the OneDrive posting. As you can see, paintwork is a little on the poor side, but the interiors main shortfall is getting the headlining back in and giving the leather a good spruce up and feed. Having one major issue at the moment before getting her started but will post in the right channel for that. So far, I have established that the fuel tank is good despite having been stood around for a decade, so nothing to worry about there once the new pump is fitted. Tested a good chunk of the electrics today, and nothing too major discovered apart from a stuck window and mirror, and the indicators only working on the side of the car (will just be a relay I think, so will review the Service Book tonight). Pop headlamps worked most importantly!

Duncs