Back in an Excel

[Lotus Jim]

Hello Chaps,
Thought I would put up a quick post about the sudden decision to buy another Lotus Excel!
I saw Garry's post a few weeks ago about him wanting to sell H3EXL. I remembered seeing Garry's car at a few shows over the years and always thought it looked brilliant in its pearlescent white paint. So a few days later I struck a deal with Garry, but due to commitments at work etc. I couldn't collect the car until this week. Since collecting the car three days ago I think I have done around 450 miles and love being back in an Excel again!
Here are a few pictures after a quick clean yesterday morning before I popped off to a meeting in Bedfordshire.

Jim

[shaunw]

Good to have you back Jim. Look forward to seeing you and the car. It looks great in Pearlesent white. You have a habit of buying Excels in my favourite colour schemes I really like the reg no too.

On the the downside I should have snapped up the aluminium header tank you offered me when I had the chance, you're bound to want to keep it now

Shaun

[Lotus Jim]

Hello Shaun,
The paint comes up really well and looks fantastic. I haven't even gone to town with the polish and wax yet. The photos are after a quick wash down with a vehicle multi-wash cleaner and then a good going over with a decent car shampoo. The reg number is brilliant! Really finishes the car off well. The paint colour looks really great in low light too.



Got a list of things I want to do on it, however the plan is to use it over the next few weeks for going backwards and forwards to work and see what issues arise and then start working through them. I would love to fit a set of coil over shocks to it, however I think I should rebuild the carbs and do all the essential things before going too crazy!

Jim

[alanmoss]

Well done Jim. Good to see you back in an Excel.

[Simpatico]

That looks exceptional in pearl white

[Lotus Jim]

Spent 4 hours yesterday afternoon / evening doing a full clean of the exterior of the car with a healthy dose of Autoglym and Meguiars. Also fixed a rather annoying door rattle and sorted out the loose door cards. I also popped over to Pristine Wheels for a quotation on getting the wheel repainted as they are looking a bit tired. Hopefully have time this weekend to fix the drivers door lock, fit a new Clarion stereo with iPod and aux interface and rebuild the purge pump.





Jim

[Lotus Jim]

Yesterday was a really productive day on the Excel, managed to:
1) Sort an issue with the instruments not illuminating,
2) Fitted a new Clarion Stereo which has an Aux feed in at the front and a USB socket (and also illuminates green ),
3) Fitted a new head light as one was heavily corroded,
4) Lubricated the heating and ventilation controls so they are a bit smoother to operate. Also fixed one of the selector levers as it was bent out of shape.
5) Replaced various bulbs around the car + replaced the blue head light bulbs with some standard H4 Bosch bulbs.
6) Rebuilt the purge pump (still waiting for the adhesive bonding it back together to dry, then will pop back on the car with new hoses)
7) Partially fixed the passenger window which is starting to stick. Will need to have another look at this as it now operates the full travel of the window however it is very slow in the last 1/3 of travel.

Doing these little things has really improved the car. Really pleased I can now read all the dials at night!

[Emmerg]

Looks really good in and out. I need to get the instrument lights on my Elite sorted as they are a bit rubbish

Guy

[shaunw]

Some satisfying jobs crossed off the list there Jim, although knowing you as I do, I suspect as one list gets completed the next list is already being collated. I've been doing that for 5 years now

Shaun

[Lotus Jim]

Thanks Guy, I'm really pleased I bought Garry's old car as I always like the colour combination - It is very 1980's! Its a pretty sound car overall, just showing a few signs of age here and there. Hope your Red S2.2 is going well?

Shaun, you know me well! Already got a list of jobs to do from yesterdays investigations! I spent more time taking things apart and working out what needed to be done in the long term. Next big tasks are power steering (rack is leaking), replace diff (leaking also) + paint/powder coat/stove enamel the rear hoop at the same time and finally fit a new carpet set. The carpet is very old and not in great shape.

I'm also going to have a session of replacing the vacuum pipes in the engine bay as some of these are quite perished. I had a new rear carb F pipe in the parts that Garry gave me which I fitted yesterday. I taped up the splits in front carb F pipe for the time being. Just doing these small mods to the vacuum system made quite a big difference to the running of the car.

Also just ordered some new door seals. I am also going to try the additional "D Section" stick on seals that you chaps have being using on the frames. I also going to fit the Esprit outer seal which from what I can make out just tidies up the gap between the door and body and cuts down on wind noise.

[shaunw]

Thanks Guy, I'm really pleased I bought Garry's old car as I always like the colour combination - It is very 1980's! Its a pretty sound car overall, just showing a few signs of age here and there. Hope your Red S2.2 is going well?

Shaun, you know me well! Already got a list of jobs to do from yesterdays investigations! I spent more time taking things apart and working out what needed to be done in the long term. Next big tasks are power steering (rack is leaking), replace diff (leaking also) + paint/powder coat/stove enamel the rear hoop at the same time and finally fit a new carpet set. The carpet is very old and not in great shape.

I'm also going to have a session of replacing the vacuum pipes in the engine bay as some of these are quite perished. I had a new rear carb F pipe in the parts that Garry gave me which I fitted yesterday. I taped up the splits in front carb F pipe for the time being. Just doing these small mods to the vacuum system made quite a big difference to the running of the car.

Also just ordered some new door seals. I am also going to try the additional "D Section" stick on seals that you chaps have being using on the frames. I also going to fit the Esprit outer seal which from what I can make out just tidies up the gap between the door and body and cuts down on wind noise.

Let me know when you come to do the Esprit seals Jim, getting them to look right (obviously they arent actually the right shape for the frame) is a bit tricky. I'm sure you'll be able to figure it out but I might be able to save you some time and hassle

Shaun

[Lotus Jim]

Hello Shaun,
Thanks for the heads up with the trim. I'll definitely give you a shout before I fit them . Sounds like a typical hand built car job!
Jim

[KevW]

Car's looking good Jim

I’ve noticed you mention getting your wheels re-finished. Are you going for powder coat or a re-paint? The reason I ask is I’ve grown unimpressed with powder coating. I’ve found from my own experience and from observing the experiences of others that powder coating isn’t half as effective as it’s supposed to be. It seems to chip quite easily and even when intact can still allow corrosion to flourish beneath its hard, apparently impervious surface, and this is after the wheel has been professionally stripped and acid dipped. If/when I need wheels re-finishing in the future I’m going to have them painted rather than powder coated. In fact I might even try painting them myself using one of the wheel painting kits you can buy these days.

I also noticed you mention considering a powder coat finish for some of your rear suspension. Personally I reckon that unless any rust is 100.00% eradicated from the steel powder coating just masks the problem for a while. At least with a painted finish if rust does break through from under the paint it can be spotted and dealt with quickly.
We all know how rust under the powder coat brought trouble to many an outwardly shiny TVR chassis over the years

[Lotus Jim]

Thanks Kev, I totally agree with you with regard to powder coating. Its longevity is fairly poor. I think in areas where there is a high risk of stone abrasion its not the best choice of coating. You tend to have the issue where the coating is damaged, and then rust develops between the metal and coating via a capillary action of water within the crevice of the surface damage. Its then hidden until the plastic flakes off. With the chassis components I might look at getting them electroplated or just have them painted with a decent zinc primer first. Just doing a bit of research at the moment.

The company I'm using for the wheel refurbishment are Pristine wheels in Woburn Sands. Granted, they do apply a powder base coat (albeit with a decent layering of a "wet" top coat). However I have seen the long term results of there refinishing process (few of my friends have had there wheels restored by them for there daily drivers) and am fairly happy it will last. Sadly I think most wheel refinishers apply a powder base coat now-a-days.

[Lotus Jim]

BTW Kev, the colour of your Excel is pretty amazing! Am I right in saying that's they only one they made in that colour?