1988 Lotus Excel SE Coupé
Registration no. E664 MCP
Chassis no. SCCO89912JHD12620
Engine no. DB912880424818

Technical co-operation with Toyota, which had purchased a stake in Lotus, enabled the latter to introduced an improved and cheaper version of the four-seater Eclat Coupé, which was christened 'Eclat Excel' when launched in 1982. The new model's backbone chassis, all-independent suspension and resulting brilliant handling were already Lotus hallmarks, while the 2.2-litre 16-valve engine was another carry-over from the Eclat. The Excel version switched to a Toyota five-speed gearbox and all-round ventilated disc brakes, replacing the previous Getrag transmission and disc/drum arrangement. The body too came in for revision, both front and rear aspects being tidied and the rear side windows changed in shape, while the rear suspension was up-rated. With 180bhp on tap, the Excel SE was good for 131mph and could reach 60mph in under seven seconds. Last of the front-engined four-seater Lotus Grand Tourers, the Excel ceased production in 1992. This example has had six former keepers and currently displays a total of circa 57,000 miles on the odometer. Benefiting from a galvanised chassis, the Lotus was restored in July of this year, being fully re-sprayed and treated to new decals, while the engine has been fully serviced and tuned. Described as in very good condition mechanically, with excellent bodywork and paint, the car is offered with sundry restoration invoices, current road fund licence, MoT to August 2014 and Swansea V5C.