Wanted Lotus Excel restoration project

[Matt]

Im looking for an Excel restoration project for my son who is on a low budget.

We would prefer a post 86 car if possible

Contact me on matt@moxley.plus.com

Matt

Tel 07816666056

[amarshall]

Not until you buy a calendar

Hi Matt - welcome to the nuthouse.

[Lotus-e-Clan]

What is your budget?

£4000 - £7000 get's you a very good one to be proud of from the get go.

£2500 - £4000. This group means a rolling resto pro-rata.

£1000 -£2500 Would need an awful lot doing (bad door issues, bad paint, bad trim and worn running gear) and may hurt the pocket a lot in the long run compared to the previous categories.

Below £1000 (rare at that) would need a comprehensive resto, and probably is professional resto territory, and not an economical proposition if you intend to sell on sooner rather than later.

[AndyC]

Matt has posted his son's budget elsewhere £500.

I'd say he could get an incomplete project worth doing for that, and considering the time it can take that's not a bad idea. Perhaps one where the engine has been removed for use elsewhere, do the body, trim etc. Find the remaining part (engine or whatever) at a later date.

there will be some available at that sort of price but the cost of doing it up may prove much higher than purchasing a slightly better car for more money.

[Lotus-e-Clan]

Matt has posted his son's budget elsewhere £500.

I'd say he could get an incomplete project worth doing for that, and considering the time it can take that's not a bad idea. Perhaps one where the engine has been removed for use elsewhere, do the body, trim etc. Find the remaining part (engine or whatever) at a later date.

there will be some available at that sort of price but the cost of doing it up may prove much higher than purchasing a slightly better car for more money.

Exactly.

False economy.

But sometimes it's not about economy, it's about access (to the marque).

[amarshall]

Matt is a serial/parallel Lotus owner. You need to have been at the NEC to know the full story.

[Lotus-e-Clan]

I was referring to his son's access to the marque.

£500 don't get you much and even if your dad has three, it's not the same as having one of your own.

[Matt]

Hi

Jake my son is looking for a Excel, he is only 11 but has spent years with me working on Lotus cars as my little helper

Thanks to the friendly people from this forum and the time they spent with him at the NEC, he is now dead set on an Excel.

He only has £250 I said I would match it to get him a car.

I have couple of spare 912 Engines and can do most stuff on old lotuses myself.

I know hes not going to get a good car for the money just something that we can work on together and that he can feel its his.

I was hoping to maybe put a bit more towards it now as its nearly Xmas and it could be a good christmas gift to.

If anyone can help me find a car for Jake I would be very greatful

Best Wishes
Matt

[rbgosling]

My son is 10 - I'd better not let him see this post, it'll be giving him ideas!!!

[fueltheburn]

Possible candidate.....
I suspect it will go above £500 though

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1987-LOTUS-EC ... 4abf96b481

[Matt]

I've got him one now

He does not know anything about it yet

I'm going to give it to him on chrismas day as a supprise

I can't wait to see his face

Thanks for all your help and advice

Matt

[rbgosling]

Now that is a SUPERB Christmas present!!!

[Simpatico]

The best advice for us mortals is to buy the best car you can, as restorations don't make sense, but for anyone not familiar with Matt's work he turned this......




.....into this......





......in a single garage. Have a read of the epic thread: http://www.thelotusforums.com/forums/to ... storation/

Whichever Excel he got will be fantastic when finished, I hope he does the same photo - diary

[KevW]

Please delete the above thread link. After reading it I now feel somewhat inadequate.

[royal]

I read that link and makes me really jealous that people have those skills and can do such an awesome job and I don't, and yes I feel inadequate. Keith