1 of 1 in the US! 1988 Lotus Excel
If you are familiar with this model Lotus… congratulations! You are a true automobile aficionado! I thought I knew cars fairly well, yet the only Excel I had ever heard of was from Hyundai. This is truly a unicorn. Look again, this might be the only one you’ll ever see.
Lotus built the Excel in the U.K. from 1982-1992. This model was based on the Eclat (which itself was based on the later 1970s Elite). All Lotus models seem to begin with the letter E. Apparently these are even rare in England, where they originate! They are more than scarce here in the U.S. because they were never officially imported or sold here. The reason for its’ one-of-one claim is because the seller doesn’t believe there is another one on our shores.
A friend once quipped that Lotus stands for Lots Of Trouble, Usually Serious. But this example runs great and is fun to drive, according to the current owner. The seller also describes the 2.2 liter four cylinder as peppy and having four twin Dell Orto carburetors. If it weren’t already quirky enough, throw in right-hand-drive and unusual paint too! This odd little car also comes in a shade of metallic light blue with a matching blue interior. It is a true 2+2 and of course, has pop-up headlights – practically obligatory in 1980s sports cars.
The seller claims it is a rust-free example. The car is located in Boca Raton and is titled in Florida. The seller is asking for $12,500 but will take offers. Bring this to a cars and coffee and attract a crowd. I feel a headache coming on just thinking about sourcing parts for this unfamiliar ride. How about you? Do you know someone who works in a well-stocked British auto parts store? Find it here on craigslist.
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Comments
Four twin Dell’Orto? That would be quite a feat to install..!
Neat car, reasonable price, posting already deleted
It’s back up again:
https://miami.craigslist.org/pbc/cto/d/boca-raton-1988-lotus-excel-se-right/7767864575.html
And now the price came down. $11k.
TWO dual throat Dellortos….
I’m not a huge foreign car guy, but this car is awesome in my eyes.
The Excel is an evolution of the Eclat, which is an evolution of the Elite, which was imported to the US in small numbers.
Gotta love the seller calling the 2.2L engine “peppy.” That’s an adjective I would expect with a Hyundai Excel, not a Lotus Excel.
Footnote: This is the second car featured this week with upside-down Rover SD-1 taillights.
😆
Very interesting car.I love unusual ones like this.
Hopefully the buyer got a great car that doesn’t need
a laundry list of repairs.
Cool car….makes me think of a VW sirocco with longer nose.
I own a 1984 here in Colorado, and I know of another 1990 in Florida, so not 1 of 1. There are a few of them here. They are fun to drive.
I had a 77 Elite, yes i know. Yes rare but not as rare as they think.
Getting Bitter SC vibes from this.
I like cars that were pened with a straight edge. This is no exception. Great color. Europe must have had different bumper standards to include the lights within. Hopefully it’s a good runner and someone gets to enjoy it.
Very cool. Sharing with all my car buddies. I think sort of like a boat, this is a car you want a friend to own, not own yourself. Good luck to the seller and especially to the buyer.
Probably should have left it in the UK
It’s not the only one in the US. I know someone in TX that has one. These share many parts with 82-85 Mk2 Supras.
Who had the name “Excel ” first Lotus or Hyundai ?
Identical in every way to mine including colour (except I have the factory aircon), owned here in Australia for last 20 years. Best handling car I’ve ever owned, largely because of the 25% weight distribution at each corner. One thing Lotus did (and do) very well is suspension. Yes will be rust free because chassis was galvanised by this time and body is fibreglass. Don’t worry about parts availability, most of drivetrain and brakes are Toyota Supra MA61 sourced, and engine parts readily available from UK.
It never cease to amaze me how some auto makers kept some of their best cars off our shores. Nice looking Lotus. May have sold well over here. I don’t know much about Lotus so I’ll say as much as any British sport car would’ve.