The Lotus Grand Tourers

Hi all,
My late fathers 88 (F reg) Excel is for sale.
He owned it for over 20yrs and looked after it, I have lots of documentation to show this.
It was a standard SE but in 2014 the engine was stroked to 2.5L. Head was ported by CNC.
It produces 240bhp @ 6800rom , 205 ib ft @4800rom. 0-60 is 5.5secs.
It has been to plenty of shows in Scotland (not recently due to illness) and beyond.
There were other mods to cams and carbs, and there is an ECU in the glove box.
She has just under 44,000 miles on clock, but since rebuild I need to check docs but as she was on a limited classic car insurance it won't be much.

Paintwork is good.
Interior looks good for the age but the drivers lumber support has a tear, I have seen this repaired in past at specialists.
I had the car out a month ago and it started on the button and ran so well I got a ticket

Prices seem difficult to exactly pin down but I think for the condition and spec, 12k is fair. ONO.

As you may have gathered it is in Scotland (Fife area).
I will try and add some pictures but if you DM me I can do it on WhatsApp as I am not sure as a new member I can do it here.

I am also a Lotus enthusiast having owned a M100, Elite and Excel in my time. I live abroad now so unfortunately can't take on the car.


https://www.flickr.com/photos/203229482 ... ed-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/203229482 ... ed-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/203229482 ... ed-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/203229482 ... ed-public/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/203229482 ... ed-public/

Sounds like a great bit of kit. GLWS

It is, I am quite sad I can't take it but that is the way life pans out sometimes.

It’s one of those things that the engine will have cost more than 50% of that value. I would love to have it myself but I can’t buy any more cars at the moment.

You might be right there!

simon_h wrote: Wed Jul 23, 2025 12:15 It’s one of those things that the engine will have cost more than 50% of that value. I would love to have it myself but I can’t buy any more cars at the moment.

Try 100% and you will be bang on. That's how much a 2.5 was going for when this was done.

Looks like Alan Bells car

It is Alan Bells car. Unfortunately he has passed away.

Provisionally sold for £7600 I don't think the auction house tried very hard either at the sale or in their promotional video.
https://www.mathewsons.co.uk/auction/lo ... 8&pn=1&g=1

Theres been a few Excels through Mathewsons, none of which have pulled what they are worth which is ok if you are buying. Really sorry to hear about Alan passing on. A member on here for quite a few years. Joined in 2012, over 800 posts. Good luck to the new owner.

Bash

I didn't know this car had gone to Mathewsons until I saw KevW's post. £7,600 wasn't enough & the car went into the online auction for unsold lots. I bought it with a bid of £10,250 + fees, so it's cost me £11,172.

TonyL wrote: Wed Sep 10, 2025 20:17 I didn't know this car had gone to Matthewsons until I saw KevW's post. £7,600 wasn't enough & the car went into the online auction for unsold lots. I bought it with a bid of £10,250 + fees, so it's cost me £11,172.

Well done!
Worth it all day esp if that 2.5 motor is still in good health. I think the punters had no idea about the value of the motor!

TonyL wrote: Wed Sep 10, 2025 20:17 ...., so it's cost me £11,172.

Fabulous purchase.

Thanks chaps. I'm sure the engine will be fine. According to my research on the gov.uk site, it's done 15k miles since the rebuild & conversion to 2.5, in 2015. It's had an MOT every year & covered around 1,500 miles each year up to the July 2024 MOT, so an ideal pattern of usage really.

& no surprise: it's a 144,000 mile car, rather than a 44,000 miler.

TonyL wrote: Wed Sep 10, 2025 21:20 & no surprise: it's a 144,000 mile car, rather than a 44,000 miler.

Mines only done 3000