Is this the last Excel?

[richardw]

Another picture from Eddie Clarke (former Lotus employee) this time off a friend:



He hasn't confirmed the occasion or the car, but could it be the last Excel off the line? Lovely colour!

Cheers,Richard

[don.hasi]

Yes, very lovely colour

Interesting seats colour as well. Never seen before a two tone leather or are these just some protectors?

i don't know whether the said number of 3 for the silk reds included all interior variants as well, but this is very interesting stuff for the Lady.

Great find.

[kkv444v]

I do not believe it to be the last car by chassis number but it might have been the last car signed off. There were, in fact, 6 Silk Red cars built. All 92MY, of course, but some were 1991 builds and some were 1992.
A great find, that picture.

[kkv444v]

I have had a chance to check my records now and it is likely that the car above is the final chassis number and the car built for Hazel Chapman. I only have it recorded as being red, but it makes perfect sense that this is it.
It was not the final car built (completed), however.

[Esprit2]

I do not believe it to be the last car by chassis number but it might have been the last car signed off.

More to that point... The "Build Date" incorporated into the VIN number, and stamped on various number plates was the date the paperwork was 'pulled' to start the build process. No car existed then.

A number of things could have, and often did delay the completion of individual cars... like one car having more optional equipment, or another having to wait for out of stock components. It would be no surprise for the last car by VIN number order to not be the last car completed.

Regards,
Tim Engel

[kkv444v]

Absolutely.
However, in this case I don't think that applies. It seems to me that it was quite deliberate to choose a VIN for the final car and then build other cars up to that number. But they didn't actually build that many and thus there is a gap where no VINs were used, and the final car (pictured) was registered a few months before the last cars were built.

1992MY Excels were all built to the same spec (other than paint, trim and CD changer options) so was the delay due to slow sales, lack of parts or other reasons at the factory, I wonder? The fact that a large proportion of the 33 cars were not registered until the second half of '92 despite over half being completed in' 91 suggests slow sales being the prime candidate but further reading might be required.

[shaunw]

I thought Hazel Chapmans car was gold. I saw it once at Donnington.

Shaun

[Esprit2]

I wouldn't doubt that she had more than one. Colin certainly did. One of the benefits of being in charge.

Regards,
Tim Engel

[Phantasm]

I'm just gonna say it's mine and show all my friends!!!!
Okay, I won't but man I like this pic a lot!!!
There's a 1 in 6 chance it is the Lady.