Finding my Dad's '85 Excel

[magd1272]

Hi all,

Richard Woollaston kindly directed me to the site, and I'm really hoping you can help.



Here’s me, aged about 8, in front of my late father’s Lotus Excel. He was really proud when we got it, and I thought it was the coolest car EVER. With a heavy heart he part-exed it in 2000 for a Vauxhall Omega so he could transport my stuff to university each term. Dad was selfless like that.

To my amazement, the Lotus was last presented for MOT (which it failed miserably) in 2017. It’s now listed as SORN.

I’d love to have it back so it can be restored. Seeing it in the garage once more would delight me, and it would have delighted Dad. Can anyone help with any information, however small? DM me or comment below. This has the makings of a beautiful story

Reg: B573KUX / GAZ5356 / 451PJH
Mileage: ~87k
Engine: DZ912841021909
Chassis: SCC089912FHD11697

EDIT: This is a standard Excel, not an SE as I originally thought. Thanks Alan for the info!

[Pete Boole]

Welcome to the forum! I really hope you can find the car and restore it - that would be lovely.

Pete

[Hawaiis0]

Give Lotusbits a ring. They may have had through them if it failed the MOT miserably.

[magd1272]

Welcome to the forum! I really hope you can find the car and restore it - that would be lovely.

Pete

Thanks Pete, that’s very kind. If by someone miracle I do, I’ll chart the story on here and Insta.

[magd1272]

Give Lotusbits a ring. They may have had through them if it failed the MOT miserably.

Good thinking! Will give that a try. Thank you!

[Ray-s]

B573KUX
Hi according to DVLA last passed MOT January 2016 failed July 2017
Reason(s) for failure
Offside Front coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a)
Nearside Front coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a)
Offside Rear coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a)
Nearside Rear coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a)
Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)
Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)
Rear Inner Brake pipe excessively corroded nearside to offside. (3.6.B.2c)
Offside Rear Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release (5.2.5a)
Offside Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick unable to see pads properly but noise suggests the are metal to metal on offside rear. (3.5.1g)
Advisory notice item(s)
engine coolant fan not working.

Don't know if that's any help...

[magd1272]

B573KUX
Hi according to DVLA last passed MOT January 2016 failed July 2017
Reason(s) for failure
Offside Front coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a)
Nearside Front coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a)
Offside Rear coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a)
Nearside Rear coil spring broken (2.4.C.1a)
Offside Front Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)
Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (3.6.B.2c)
Rear Inner Brake pipe excessively corroded nearside to offside. (3.6.B.2c)
Offside Rear Seat belt locking mechanism does not secure or release (5.2.5a)
Offside Rear Brake pad(s) less than 1.5 mm thick unable to see pads properly but noise suggests the are metal to metal on offside rear. (3.5.1g)
Advisory notice item(s)
engine coolant fan not working.

Don't know if that's any help...

Thanks Ray, that’s really interesting. There’s a lot to be done, isn’t there? How on earth does one break all four coil springs at once - by getting the car airborne?! Thanks again.

[Ray-s]

Yes it makes you wonder what they did in it ..
I don't know if you still can but you used to be able , in certain circumstances get the DVLA to contact the owners with your request but that was a long time ago feeling old...

[ianhateswork]

I got a friend who has a mot station to run the plate, but as its been more than 18 months since the last test it would not give up any info.
I can only suggest dvla form v888 or a letter to the keeper asking if they will contact you, and see if the police or dvla will forward it on for you.
ian

[Alan_M]

Welcome onto the forum and good luck finding the car. Would be great to see another back in the road.

p.s. your father’s car is pre SE. The SE model didn’t launch until October 85, so are all on C plate or newer. Also the dash shape and door mirrors shown in the photo would confirm this.

[magd1272]

I got a friend who has a mot station to run the plate, but as its been more than 18 months since the last test it would not give up any info.
I can only suggest dvla form v888 or a letter to the keeper asking if they will contact you, and see if the police or dvla will forward it on for you.
ian

Thanks so much for asking your mate to do that. Really kind of you. Shame nothing showed up. Will keep trying with DVLA etc.

[magd1272]

Welcome onto the forum and good luck finding the car. Would be great to see another back in the road.

p.s. your father’s car is pre SE. The SE model didn’t launch until October 85, so are all on C plate or newer. Also the dash shape and door mirrors shown in the photo would confirm this.

How fascinating, thank you! Goes to show the mind plays tricks. I was convinced the little black badge on the driver’s door said SE, but perhaps it didn’t or perhaps the previous owner glued it on (like fake BMW M cars).

[Alan_M]

I don’t know of any Excels SE or not having a badge on the door, so guess it was something added. If you look at this ebay listing there is a picture from the parts catalogue that shows the decals used. Your father’s would be the centre photo (and the SE the top photo). If you look you can see the pinstripe below the waist trim as on your father’s.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lotus-Excel- ... 635-2958-0

[magd1272]

Yep, that’s bang on, thank you. Original post edited!

[DavidOliver]

I have a C registration 85 Excel, not SE, so if you have any queries about original feel free to ask.
As a guide,
Rear seat belts were not obligatory and the 85 comes with underbody reinforcement plate, most of which have now rusted away, and rear belts were not always fitted.
Cam covers are saddle type and cam pulleys have square (not rounded) teeth so get the right cam belt when changing.
Distributor has no vacuum advance.
Coolant reservoir is single tank and filler cap.

There are several other changes, mainly interior, and there was no badge on the door pillars.

Dave the cog.