Elite/Eclat/Excel video & picture thread!

[Tim Jones]

I've invented a stretched limo Eclat 🤣🤣

[EXCEL V8]

Wow - that looks fantastic!  Have the seats been re-covered?  It looks like quality work.

Pete

[Tim Jones]

Cheers Pete - Thank you for your kind words. No, they haven't been re-covered. I have re-coloured them myself using Gliptone Scuffmaster, dabbed on with a sponge. They were in pretty good condition, just scruffy and tired. Will attach some 'before' pics later

[EXCEL V8]

The results are great - it gives me hope that my interior may be just about restoreable!  Some "before" pics would be good - thanks.

Pete

[phoenix]

So nice to see a nice and original interior on an elite/éclat. It was designed by Guigiaro and exudes opulence. 

[Tim Jones]

Yeah, I think the design of the interior has aged well

Edited June 23, 2020 by Bibs

[Tim Jones]

7 hours ago, EXCEL V8 said:

The results are great - it gives me hope that my interior may be just about restoreable!  Some "before" pics would be good - thanks.

Pete

 

[Tony D]

Wow. That's quite some transformation. Nice work. Looks like you had some stitching to repair. Did you remove some covers then replace? 

Tony 

[Tim Jones]

Hi Tony. No, i didnt remove anything (mostly on the grounds that i wouldn't have a clue where to start). The stitching was still intact but the leather had torn close to the stitching. I glued a reinforcement strip of leather behind the tear, and then unfilled the gap with Leather filler (also from Gliptone) , then used the recolouring paint over the top.

ps, I also used the filler to infill the cigarette burn.

[Escape]

My Excel had been put aside about 2 years ago, rough running and with a failed brake booster. Something else always came first (like the JPS Elan) and she didn't get the attention she deserved. Until the lockdown that is. I gave the ignition system a refresh, did the timing belt, fixed an exhaust leak, some wiring issues and fitted a modified Land Rover brake booster because I couldn't find a correct new one. A 70 miles test run to take my better halve to our favorite pub when it finally reopened seemed to confirm everything was working as it should. So we decided on a roadtrip to Cap Gris-Nez, along with a friend in a Spitfire. About 400 miles, including some very nice winding roads near the coast, with magnificent views as a reward. The Excel performed great, I was pleasantly surprised how planted she felt through the corners.  

[phoenix]

So nice to see an early narrow body excel. Is that Ice blue? Spit looks great too...

[EXCEL V8]

Thanks for the "before" photos Tim.  My seats are similar to how yours were - possibly a little worse, but I'm encouraged having seen the results you've achieved!

Pete

[Tim Jones]

Good luck, Pete. If you go down the Gliptone Scuffmaster route, get in touch and I'll pass on some observations on what worked well and less well.

[EXCEL V8]

Thanks Tim.  It will be some months before I get to the seats - body only just replaced on chassis!  I have been giving them some leather food to try to turn them back from cardboard into leather!

Pete

[Escape]

11 hours ago, phoenix said:

So nice to see an early narrow body excel. Is that Ice blue? Spit looks great too...

Yes, it's Ice Blue. With both cars side by side, the Excel does look quite big compared to the Spit, so I made sure she was to the rear for this picture. Just a bit further down the road and you could see the white cliffs and just make out Dover port. But nowhere to stop for a picture, so we settled for this one.

[jep]

Love those early wheels on Excel but sadly they are wrong size to retro fit to my 86. 

The wheels fitted to Elite/Eclat are probably my all-time favourite fitted to any car ever. 

Justin 

[Tim Jones]

8 minutes ago, jep said:

Love those early wheels on Excel but sadly they are wrong size to retro fit to my 86. 

The wheels fitted to Elite/Eclat are probably my all-time favourite fitted to any car ever. 

Justin 

 

[Tony D]

Just returning to the interior trim, anyone have comparative experience of the Furniture Clinic for leather repair kits? 

I've got a drivers seat in need of serious attention, but am encouraged by these before and afters. Just need to decide on who's repair materials I go for. 

Tony 

[pbharcourt]

Flying the Elite flag amongst the moderns!

... other than the lovely Esprit of course.

[ChrisJ]

Some more photos of your car Paul would be great. 

[williamtherebel]

Taken last year on my trip "oop,North" (well from Blackpool to Duns anyway) Didnt miss a beat.  

[phoenix]

Fantastic

[EXCEL V8]

Are they Wolfrace slots?  Love those almost as much as the Turbines!

Pete

[Francisco Franco]

520?.... the one to have, looks great👍

[rjwooll]

On 24/06/2020 at 10:18, Tim Jones said:

 

Credits: Styled by Oliver Winterbottom, engineering design by Peter Lucas