The Lotus Grand Tourers

Found this online, seems Senna had an excel when he was at McLaren. However it does not seem to have had a long life, having lasted less than year, although on reflection it may have been exported as it appears to be LHD
http://ayrtonsennavive.blogspot.com/20 ... el-se.html

That is awesome. Certainly looks like he was giving it some in those pictures!

Same car on this article.
Bash
https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/arch ... s-excel-se

Not quiet, the motorsport car is C700AEX and red, the Senna car was C704AEX and green if the DVLA is correct

bash wrote: ↑

Fri Sep 24, 2021 11:30

Same car on this article.
Bash
https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/arch ... s-excel-se

Thanks for the link Bash.

Seems to me that this early 86SE (oil filler at front) needs a tune-up and/or the later ignition as the journo reports bogging down in traffic ..and harshness below 4000 rpm (ignition is at full mech advance above 3500rpm). I don't get any of that in the 89SE. Engine is sweet on part throttle from the get-go.

Great finds Zaphod and Bash! I’m writing a piece for Club Lotus News including info on famous first owners - I think I’ll include this!

I’ll also link to the blog on our Lotus Grand Tourers Facebook page.

Cheers, Richard

Wow, how to drive an Excel - This is copied from the Lotus World magazine - Jan 1987

Oh, La La Ayrton - Bernhard Schmidt of the German magazine Rallye Racing scored a noteworthy scoop by organising a road test of the Excel SE with Ayrton in the seat. It was arranged by Joachin Bohr, the newly appointed Lotus distributor in Germany, at the time of the 1986 German Grand Prix. Bernhard was kind enough to provide the Lotus World magazine with his collection of photos taken during the test. Theses really are worth a closer look, esp the photo on the front page!!!

So, here is the January 1987 edition of Lotus World with the 2 page spread (text translated by Joe Waupotitsch of Lotus Cars). Marcus

Thanks marcus, first time Ive seen that article.
Bash

Zaphod wrote: ↑

Fri Sep 24, 2021 06:55

Found this online, seems Senna had an excel when he was at McLaren. However it does not seem to have had a long life, having lasted less than year, although on reflection it may have been exported as it appears to be LHD
http://ayrtonsennavive.blogspot.com/20 ... el-se.html

Interesting article. Thanks for posting it. Being picky, I think he was driving for Lotus in 1986, not McLaren which is why he had the Lotus. I wonder how often he drove an Esprit (It was too late for an Elite).