Lotus Excel SA 2.2 1989
I have this 1989 Lotus Excel SA for sale. I took this car in as part of a deal on a Mazda MX5 ( I deal mainly in Mazda MX5s) and it needs to find a new home. Its finished in Lotus Racing Green with cream leather seats and trim and polished Elm burr around the instrument panel. Its showing an indicated 100,400 miles and has been in regular use. The last but one owner showed it off at many car shows while the previous owner used it for weekend fun. Its only been used on dry days and has been stored undercover.
It uses the ‘Redtop’ 180bhp engine and thanks to the Lotus collaboration with Toyota, these Excels have a reputation for their reliability. Unusually this is one of only 32 Excels ever produced with an automatic gearbox. This works really well with Lotus engineering the ZF four speed ‘box to work well at higher revs. This particular car is thought to be one of only two Excels remaining in this colour and I have to say, it looks absolutely fabulous, turning heads wherever it goes.
Bodywork is very good (not quite concours but not far off) and the galvanised chassis is also in excellent condition. The engine bay is particularly clean and tidy. Wheels and tyres are all in good order. Inside, its all pretty original and in nice condition. The leather seats show some wear (especially the driver’s seat) though there are no holes or splits. The carpets and headling are in good clean condition. This has Cruise Control fitted and either it doesn’t work or I am doing something wrong. I have a period Panasonic stereo to go with the car (unfitted). Apparently the previous owner spent quite a lot of money to have this converted so that it would stream via Bluetooth signal.
The car drives really well. Its starts nicely on its Dellorto carbs and once its up to temperature, pulls really strongly and effortlessly. Brakes, gearbox etc all feel fine. The biggest plus point of these Excels though is the handling: its exceptionally good and the car is beautifully balanced and corners supremely well. There are no odd rattles or other weird noises. The car can be used and enjoyed straight away. Its MOT tested until July 2024 and I have two sets of keys. I also have the original owner’s handbook along with a substantial collection of receipts for regular servicing and other maintenance going back over many years. This is a car that has clearly been cherished and properly looked after. Price is £7850 which feels like a lot of car for the money.
STATUS: Now Sold
It uses the ‘Redtop’ 180bhp engine and thanks to the Lotus collaboration with Toyota, these Excels have a reputation for their reliability. Unusually this is one of only 32 Excels ever produced with an automatic gearbox. This works really well with Lotus engineering the ZF four speed ‘box to work well at higher revs. This particular car is thought to be one of only two Excels remaining in this colour and I have to say, it looks absolutely fabulous, turning heads wherever it goes.
Bodywork is very good (not quite concours but not far off) and the galvanised chassis is also in excellent condition. The engine bay is particularly clean and tidy. Wheels and tyres are all in good order. Inside, its all pretty original and in nice condition. The leather seats show some wear (especially the driver’s seat) though there are no holes or splits. The carpets and headling are in good clean condition. This has Cruise Control fitted and either it doesn’t work or I am doing something wrong. I have a period Panasonic stereo to go with the car (unfitted). Apparently the previous owner spent quite a lot of money to have this converted so that it would stream via Bluetooth signal.
The car drives really well. Its starts nicely on its Dellorto carbs and once its up to temperature, pulls really strongly and effortlessly. Brakes, gearbox etc all feel fine. The biggest plus point of these Excels though is the handling: its exceptionally good and the car is beautifully balanced and corners supremely well. There are no odd rattles or other weird noises. The car can be used and enjoyed straight away. Its MOT tested until July 2024 and I have two sets of keys. I also have the original owner’s handbook along with a substantial collection of receipts for regular servicing and other maintenance going back over many years. This is a car that has clearly been cherished and properly looked after. Price is £7850 which feels like a lot of car for the money.
STATUS: Now Sold
