1988 Excel SE. Brief Update

[Radar]

Passed the MOT today, straight through...so now on to the rest of the work!

[chrisw2811]

Great news - well done

[fitz]

Congrats! look forward to piccys and the rest of the story

[Radar]

Well after much pondering I have decided to get Paul Matty to do the cambelt change, I am just too worried about getting it wrong. I will then have a car I can use with confidence while i knock off the other jobs during the summer

[dermotbell]

Good luck, I did my headlining and the rest of the colour coded pieces on my Elite and it isn't too difficult. I even considered doing it for a living as it's quite therapeutic.

Cheers

Dermot

[Radar]

Booked in to Paul Matty on April 7 for the cambelt, an oil/filter change and get the fan relay fixed.

I know I chickened out on the cambelt change for myself, but I want to start enjoying the car as soon as I can and with peace of mind

[chrisw2811]

Hi Radar, that's good news and PM will do a fine job. I wouldn't regard it as chickening out not to do the cambelt - it's your car, and if you're not sure and want it set up well it is eminently sensible to use an experienced specialist.

[hodders]

I wouldn't regard it as chickening out not to do the cambelt - it's your car, and if you're not sure and want it set up well it is eminently sensible to use an experienced specialist.

Yes.
This is where we need a Facebook-style thumbs up "I agree" or "I like" on the forum.
Great if you can do such a major job yourself, if not, then get someone else to do it and just enjoy driving the car.

[Radar]

Cheers for that folks. I do have the ability to do the job, but the little voice in my head said 'just get it done'

I am looking forward to the summer with the Excel and getting down to the Lotus show in April

[Radar]

Well picked up from a couple of days at Paul mattys in Bromsgrove

Cambelt done, as well as a basic service, one of my front calipers was sticking so that was freed off. The petrol pump was pissing fuel so that has been done too. Few other bits and bobs too. Drives much better now

I popped into get a quote have the fron t of the car blown in too. It looks terrible right now so I will probably get this done later in the summer. It will stave off the full respray that i really need for a couple of years if nothing else.

Mattys could only quote £158+vat for SP9000 tyres. I will either go with Nexens or Toyo I think.

Having just MOT'd,taxed and insured the old girl in the last two weeks it has been an expensive month already!

[Tanz]

I am looking forward to the summer with the Excel and getting down to the Lotus show in April

Hi Radar - Look forward to seeing at the show

[alanmoss]

Hi Radar, re your tyres, see the separate thread on SP9000s. Three of us have recently had excellent service from mytyres.co.uk for new SP9000s of the right size and spec at around £124 each delivered; you then can arrange fitting. Alternatively they can organise a fitting centre for you.

[Radar]

I have seen the SP9000 thread. I just can't afford them at the moment, so will probably go for a cheaper alternative.

Just prove she exists here is a pic of her when I collected it from Paul Mattys on Thursday



Did ten miles this evening, great fun

Hope to see some of you folks on Saturday

[Radar]

Well I finally got around to getting new tyres today. Budget restraints mean that I have decide to take a gamble on a cheapie brand...

Nankang NS2 205/50 VR15

I will let you know how I get on with them

[Radar]

Well as the 2010 season is drawing to a close for many (although my Excel remains fully roadworthy and legal) I though a brief update was in order.

The Excel has covered about 800 odd miles this year, nearly four times more than last year and much more fun!

Some of the jobs on my list have been done, but loads is left to do in 2011:

The nose still needs re-painting.
The wheels will need re-finishing
Head-liner will need to be replaced...need to track down the errant seal that is still letting some moisture into the cabin first
I really must get the electric window on the passenger side working too
Get the carbs tuned properly

I have taken in the Lotus show in April and had a blast around the track at JLR Gaydon in June: That was BIG fun chasing an E-Type and a marcos at various points!

In September I was joined by three mates (driving a 911 turbo, a Spitfire and a BGT) for a fun jaunt on Worcestershire and Shropshire back roads.

Lately I have just been going it a once a week blast to keep it all running, but overall 2010 season has been enjoyable!