The Lotus Grand Tourers

Back pressure in the exhaust is a really important concept for a normally aspirated engine; it can be used to help scavenge the gasses from the combustion chamber. The exhaust can be tuned to create pressure pulses which are timed with the exhaust valve opening so it sucks the gasses out. This is a ...

For rust removal, I use this https://bilthamber.com/product/deox-c/ absolutely brilliant. Just mix with water, check the bits in and leave it for a while. It removes all traces of rust and leaves a rust resistant coating on parts until they can be coated with whatever you choose. No toxic and it jus...

I've used fuel additives to help clean injectors etc but I would never use an oil additive. Oil manufacturers spend loads of time perfecting their oil. If it could be improved so much with a £5 bottle of something extra, I think they would have incorporated it in the first place.

I'm going to subscribe and follow your progress.

I assume you know that the body will need quite a bit of fettling to fit onto an Excel chassis? The rear end where the backbone ends is quite different.

Why oh why???

For general servicing work there is a chap called John Walsh who frequents The Lotus Forums. He recently retired from working overseas and has setup Lotus Rescue. He does restoration work but I'm sure he would be happy to do some service work as well. I'm sure it's OK to post a link to his posting o...

Great photos, thanks for sharing

a quick spray with penetrating fluid may help

That looked like a super clean car. I think it's slightly under-priced and was a bargain for whoever bought it.

All reasonably accessible using spanners and sockets

There are 7 mounting points in pairs, so 14 bolts. They are from front to back - front arb mounting points, access from the engine bay front suspension towers - these are awkward as the front suspension has to be removed to get to them. Access from front wheel arch transmission tunnel forward of the...

I have to agree with you Richard, it does look tired.

It's a really speculative price and whilst I'd love it to sell for that, it probably isn't pitched at the right price for condition.

Where is it, it's hard to tell from the image?

The crossbeam was originally fitted with a felt pad between it and the body. Once that gets wet it holds moisture against the metal which causes the rust. To get a hole like that will likely mean the whole crossmember is rusted away. It's a major job to separate the body from the chassis and you may...

Thanks, good find.
Thanks also to Tim who made it available to download.