Beheaded !!!

[MalcolmH]

From a purely aesthetic view - obviously ignoring rigidity, safety & condition - I think it looks superb.

Testament to the total beauty & 'rightness' of the basic design in the first place. If a factory convertible version had been considered, in my view that route would have been perfect. Especially as at the time, the lowered hood would have sat slightly raised under a fabric tonneau, nicely breaking up the horizontal line.

In fact for a sporty looking full-4-seater convertible, the proportions are spot-on. And still with a pretty decent boot, I'd imagine.

That should be preserved, just as it is, in a Lotus-linked museum somewhere. As a glimpse of what might have been. I'd seriously buy it just to look at!!!

[Pjr]

I agree, it looks really nice. Imagine what it would look like finished!

My eclat excel had rear headrests like that, and i must say i had assumed it is an early eclat excel.

Phil

[MalcolmH]

Yes I think it is, Phil. My first Eclat Excel was an '83 and had those same headrests & wheels. In fact with the top chopped-off, the curved slope of the back headrests really enhances the side-on look.

Whilst not diminishing the huge time & effort it will have taken to create it, it's the simplest of conversions but visually it works. Nice summery colour for a convertible too.

As people have said, there can't be any rigidity and it would probably kill everyone in it within the first mile! But I really like it.

[alanbell]

its an early excel no doubt, looks like it fell into the hands of a lunatic farmer who spent ten minutes going round it with a chain saw, and another excel that was possibly worth saving is on its way to the scrap yard.

[MalcolmH]

Or most probably it's one that was on its way to the scrapyard anyway. Or already there!

Let's not forget that once someone's paid money for - and acquired ownership of - a vehicle, it's theirs to do what they choose with. And in this case they've done something that if carried through and finished would have looked fantastic, and which even in its current state is a very good talking point. Even if it might have been done with a chainsaw!

As we know, compared to many classics - and helped by the GRP bodywork and the efforts of everyone on here - a very healthy number of Excels still survive in relation to the production numbers. So let's not knock someone for trying something creative with one that was probably already heading for the scrapper.

[alanbell]

almost any excel can be saved if has not been attacked by a chain saw before the owner has considered the problems that will arise after he has exercised his undeniable right to do as he pleases, in this case custom hood and stowage for it. custom windows, standard ones would flap like a butterfly's wings at speed, the a posts will not support the windscreen, not designed to do so, the roof and roll bar are essential to maintain the rigidity of the car. brains before brawn is a useful way to proceed but presumably the owner lacked the former.
manufacturers converting coupes to convertibles also observe the rule that if one subtracts the top one must add to the bottom.

[MalcolmH]

All totally valid points, Alan, and made from your undisputed knowledge and experience of this fine marque.

But even if the owner did it purely to see what an Eclat Excel convertible might look like - in the actual 'metal', sitting out in the sunshine, rather than on a drawing board - I for one am very glad he did. And totally unworkable though it would be as a runner - for the reasons you state, plus I'm sure many others - I still love the result!

That, to me, is far more a piece of art than anything the likes of Damien Hirst have ever come up with!!

[Hawaiis0]

275 quid - hope it goes somewhere other than the breakers

[alanbell]

i only thought of this today, chop the front off fit a tow bar and use it as as a good looking trailer. to save it as a street legal car it would have to have new body and that may well be its fate.

[AndyC]

275 quid - hope it goes somewhere other than the breakers

The new owner has popped in to say "Hi" on another forum, so doesn't look to be destined to break, yet.