LOTUS EXCEL IN MELB,AUSTRALIA

[owen hutchison]

HI, I am a long term lotus enthusiast having owned several models and am considering buying an excel and in doing my research came across this site and noticed that there is a member in Melbourne Australia, I am keen to purchase one from interstate and was wondering if it would be posible to show my wife an excel before doing so, if anyone could help me it would me much apreciated. My phone No is 03 9710 1832 email ovhutch@bigpond.net.au Many Thanks Owen.

[robertverhey]

Hi Yes since Cap'n Bob sold up, I'm not aware of anyone in Melbourne who owns an Excel. Steve from Elan Factory will undoubtedly know, He's Melbourne based and any Excels will probably have come through his shop. Give him a hoy www.elanfactory.com.au Very helpful chap.

I'm Sydney based, but coincidentally Melbourne bound in a day or two, going to catch the boat across Bass Straight to do our own mini Targa Tasmania. Alas I'm not taking the Excel, taking the Lotus Cortina (it's a tough choice when you own the perfect stable!).

But if you're up in Sydney at any stage you're more than welcome to come and kick the Excel's tyres and take it for a spin.

Robert

[owen hutchison]

Thanks dpr59, and thanks for your kind offer Rob, unfortunately Steve is on holidays, Rob any thoughts on what an EXCEL is worth in AUS it,s supposed to be a 87SE it is red looks to be in ok nic but a bit strange cos it has early 14inch wheels and the dash is black,It is advertised in CARPOINT.com.au again many thanks and I hope you have a great time in Tasie Cheers Owen.

[robertverhey]

Hello Owen

That would be http://www.carpoint.com.au/used-car/LOT ... 90715.aspx I assume.

Seems a reasonable vehicle with some of the major niggles sorted (engine rebuild, headlining and steering rack). But get a full checkover done by someone who knows their stuff. I'm talking compression test, valve clearances (very easy on these models) etc.

I have some doubts about whether it's a genuine SE: first of all the spoiler is base model, the cam covers are not red, there's no SE sticker at rear and there's no spats on rear. From memory (need to dive into my brochures), the base models in 87 had 14" wheels which would explain their presence on this vehicle.

The only real way to tell is from VIN number, if you can get that in full the vehicle can be accurately identified.

Wot's the difference? 160BHP instead of 180, though opinions differ about which is the sweeter motor (lets's not start THAT debate!) On the up side, it has air con and it's good Toyota gear. I'm thankful every day that I was lucky enough to score an aircon model.

Mine is an '87 SE. It's hard to say what they're worth here in Oz because they don't change hands often enough to set an average. By UK standards, $19,500 (or around 9000 pounds) would be way up there with the pristine low mile models, but that's not necessarily a bargaining point when you're down under and you can't pick and choose. One of the reasons I don't sell mine is that the return on it just wouldn't justify the loss of one of THE best driving experiences around.

By way of comparison, if you wanted to import, you could probably end up spending the same amount but you'll have more cars to choose from. In my case, I paid $A4k to purchase, another $4k to import and a final $4k and lots and lots of hours to get it going, registered, insured etc. While personal importing is not for the faint hearted, you could make it a lot easier by spending another $2-3k for an importing agent to do all the paperwork at this end. You end up somewhere around $15k anyway.

So I'd use its "non-SE-ness" as a bargaining factor, plus the fact that you could import one for $15k.

As these are not a commonly wanted vehicle, that makes life tough for the seller as well, so some flexibility in pricing is warranted. That said, it would be nice to just pay and have the car the next day, rather than navigating the bureaucratic minefield associated with importing, and waiting for a car you haven't seen in the flesh.

Please don't hesitate to ask any further questions

Robert

[Skeggy]

I have some doubts about whether it's a genuine SE:

I seem to remember someone (mds??) mentioning that the SE has vacuum pipes on the carbs near the manifold. From the pictures this car doesn't have these vacuum pipes but as Robert says not really such a big deal if it is not an SE but it could be a good bargaining point.

Personally I wouldn't let your wife test drive the car - she will let you buy it, then make it 'her' car and you will only be allowed to fix it and if your lucky maybe drive it occasionally

[mds666]

just had a look at this car... it is a base model (deffinatly not not an SE) and has the wrong wheels...

[owen hutchison]

Thanks ALL, this is obviously a great little community youv'e got here, I dont think that I could live with the hasles of privately importing I will see how negotiable he is before I fly up to look at it. Rob have you got any idea how many excels there are in AUS? Skeggy I know exactly what you mean my wife has had a twin cam escort and a twin cam europa as her daily drives and despite having to hastle no end to buy them the only time they were mine was when they broke down. Still an ocasional drive is better than none. Cheers and thanks again Owen.

[robertverhey]

My understanding is that there's about 20 in Oz. I'm aware of about 6 of them.

Rare stuff!

Robert

[andrew miller]

Hello from Adelaide
I have been an Excel owner for 12 years, the car being my daily driver throughout that time.
I have a 1984 model that has been remarkably reliable & fun throughout. It broke its (less than 2yrs old) cam belt recently & requires a head rebuild (Steve at the Elan Factory quotes about $1200 for this). There is no other major problem with the car but it would benefit from painting & some upholstery work. It has some minor (& common) problems such as door hinges sagging & one headlight motor malfunction that I haven't gotten around to fixing. It has been maintained mechanically by the local Lotus service garage (eg brakes, clutch etc). The only non-genuine parts are custom extractors & exhaust & stereo.
The car was a personal import from the UK by the previous owner & in order to meet domestic rules has child seat anchor points fitted in the back seat.
If am intending to restore her to pristine condition but have no garage & might consider sending her to a good home.
If you would consider a 'project' I might part (ambivilently) with her.
Cheers
Andrew

[AlastairBrowne]

There is a guy in Melbourne who bought an Excel for his wife a couple of years ago after seeing mine and I think they are now considering selling the car (if it hasn't been sold already) When they bought it, it sounded a great car and didn't need much to fix it. The guy is in Club Lotus and I can contact him if you like. (Just e-m me on AlastairBrowneatbigpond.com)

Beware of people trying to flog you an SE when it is a standard model!

Robert, I think you know about my 1986 SE. It's still going really well and now the air con works. We really must get together

Alastair

[Dazza_22]

Hi all!

I just became a member of this forum and this post caught my eye.

I have an 83 Excel in Perth WA. I don't know if there are any other Excels out west, but if there are, I certainly haven't seen them.

I bought mine a few years ago off a guy who was moving back to England after bringing the Excel out with him. Great fun to drive and I reckon I got it for an absolute steal! It was certainly a lot less than what the one posted in this ad is going for. Time/place/circumstance I guess. He wanted a quick sale and I don't think he had received too much interest.

[AlastairBrowne]

Hi Dazza

Goodonya mate. Keep in touch. Yours will be Calypso Red - same as mine. I can give you details of a fellow over here in Sydney who either has parts or is able to get them for you at a reasonable price. He's done some good work for me.

Alastair

[robertverhey]

Wow good to hear the downunder Excel owners coming out of the woodwork. A run some time would indeed be good, but Sydney cities are so far apart!

While my Excel gets little use (only three runs this year, shame!), I'm overcoming my Lotus Cortina obsession (or maybe not, just bought another one!). But every time I take the Excel for a run I know it ain't for sale any time soon! The aircon is a blessing....today in Sydney, by the way, was 42 degrees...and that's Centigrade!

If the Sydney gent referred to is Ross Hockley, from Jensen Car Co, yes, I'll add my praise. Great service and prices. And Steve from Elan Factory in Melbourne as well. We are well served.

[AlastairBrowne]

Yes, Robert, it is Ross Hockley, an absolute gent.

I've been using my Excel a fair bit, at least once a week. Over the next few weeks, a few things need to be done (by Ross) and then it's down to Beechworth for the Lotus 2009 at Easter. I envy you your Lotus Cortinas. I had a Mk 2 Cortina GT (not Lotus) with a lumpy cam that I should've kept!! Hindsight is a wonderful thing. I'm still a member of the Cortina Club as they are a good bunch of people and my Marlin Berlinetta is all Cortina underneath except the motor.

I shall be displaying one of my 1973 Renaults in Town on Australia Day at the NRMA Motorfest.

Alastair

[Dazza_22]

Thanks. I'll have to remember that name for when I need parts in the future.