1989 Excel in Rotherham

[Slotus]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/386918282027

 

[Bazza 907]

Odd, it's got the wrong, pre 1989, bonnet

[exeterjeep]

Parts list suggests that the 89 on bonnet with centre louvres was not fitted to base versions. Advert does not say SE  - car has smaller spoiler.

Hope it gets back on the road ok.

Although in the pic at London Lotus centre showroom opening around 1989  the white excel is a base (also smaller wing) but has the same bonnet as my 1990 SE.

Think they fitted what was around. The white base Excel was one of the last produced by the factory and the last new base that LLC had. 

My 1990 SE

[Escape]

6 hours ago, Bazza 907 said:

Odd, it's got the wrong, pre 1989, bonnet

Well spotted! I never understood why some had the louvres on the sides (like my early one), surely directly behind the radiator is more efficient for cooling? I know the position changed a couple of times during the production run of the Excel, but I don't know the details/ years by heart.

[Slotus]

I rather like the style of bonnet on my Eclat 2.2 - think these were generally fitted to the Riviera variant? (mine isn't) - so dunno if it was supplied like that from new or has been "upgraded" at sometime over the past 40-odd years, but either way it looks good to me!

[exeterjeep]

Had 2 Eclat S2s,  the 1 in the pic was not a true Riviera model but had the latest bonnet and a sunroof. I later added a Riviera boot lid. . The other eclat s2 had the same as the the Elite S2 ie the normal bonnet... 

[Slotus]

11 minutes ago, exeterjeep said:

Had 2 Eclat S2s,  the 1 in the pic was not a true Riviera model but had the latest bonnet and a sunroof. I later added a Riviera boot lid. . The other eclat s2 had the same as the the Elite S2 ie the normal bonnet... 

"Riviera bootlid?" 🤔 is that the one with the spoiler? - if so I have that too! ... my car is away being tweaked at the moment, so can't go and take a pic!

[exeterjeep]

1 minute ago, Slotus said:

"Riviera bootlid?" 🤔 is that the one with the spoiler?

Bought it at  a Club Lotus event decades ago from Derek Dean (a well known Lotus specialist..) , and had it sprayed.  Sold the old one to a guy who had an eclat racing car. Think it looks more finished with this version.

[Slotus]

To my eye the optical illusion of the Elite being "shorter" than the Eclat due to the overal side profiles means that the "vertical" vents of the Eclat Riviera bonnet really suit the Eclat and make it look longer and sleeker, whereas the "horizontal" vents on the Elite again serve to make the bonnet look squarer, which perfectly suits the squarer rear end...

An Elite is on the shopping list 😊

11 minutes ago, exeterjeep said:

Bought it at  a Club Lotus event decades ago from Derek Dean (a well known Lotus specialist..) , and had it sprayed.  Sold the old one to a guy who had an eclat racing car. Think it looks more finished with this version.

Ah right, that kind!... mine is more like (indeed may be) the Excel one, seperately raised off the bootlid so air flows underneath. Spoiler also has those little paint bubbles (the joy of fibreglass), not terrible at moment, but on the jobs list to do at some point.

Edited April 10 by Slotus