The Lotus Grand Tourers

Hi All,
I have been trying to obtain or reconstruct the original toolkit from the early Excels- ie the one that came in a roll. Recently one came up on ebay and although I won it, sadly I don't think its original. To be fair to the seller all he really said was that this had come from an from an Excel and the tools were "believed" to be original- well, bits probably are but overall I think not. I'd be grateful if anyone with an early car and original toolkit could confirm my suspicions.
I know that Lotus used King Dick tools whenever possible and of the three spanners in this set 2 are indeed by King Dick-13/17 and 10/13mm. The 10/8mm is however a Gordon so I think a substitute.
There is a pair of pliers (6.5") with blue dip-coated handles - but unbranded which seems odd.
2 screwdrivers both by Spiralux, one flat ended 100x5mm (shaft lengthxblade width) and the other a crosshead supadrive 100mm shaft ; 2PT3632. I don't know this make but again it doesn't sound like a Lotus original.
Finally there is a plug socket (Gedore 13/16") with a short 1/4 inch drive extension bar (total length 7cm), and a 20cm T bar handle. These could be original.

The parts manual (page 60.01A) confirms tools of this description, although sizes and brands aren't given- possibly because Lotus simply supplied what they could get cheaply or readily at the time. Anyway The extension piece looks longer than the one I have at around 15cms (using the T bar as a guide) and there is one extra component- a socket-presumably 1/4 inch drive and presumably also Gedore, but the size isn't clear- does anyone know what size this socket was and what it was intended to fit? Also of course was it included in the roll-up kit?
I've put this enquiry and associated pictures on my blog here https://majcd213.blogspot.co.uk/2017/11/toolkit.html
Thanks for the help
Cheers
Mike

Should add that it seems Spiralux were (or became) part of Spear and Jackson and were manufacturing in the early 80's so certainly about the right time frame for these cars.

I cant help you with the roll but here is the later box variant as a comparison of contents. I will check sizes another day if you wish: edit - the larger socket on mine you can make out 21mm

Thanks that's great. It certainly looks like the tools illustrated in the parts list even down to the screwdriver handle shapes. What size is the single socket please and
Are the sockets gedore? Of course this doesn't really mean that the tools in the roll were the same and the parts list doesn't comment on that.
Mike

Thanks that's great. It certainly looks like the tools illustrated in the parts list even down to the screwdriver handle shapes. What size is the single socket please and
Are the sockets gedore? Of course this doesn't really mean that the tools in the roll were the same, and the parts list doesn't comment on that. I see that all the spanners are Heyco... But Lotus used King Dick for the Excel and Elite... Possibly therefore also in the eclat-excel and early Excels... And if the spanners were later swapped for Heycos then maybe the screwdrivers were too??? Mind you the Elites had skeleton form screwdrivers so even Spiralux would be an improvement!
Mike

Mine (I'll post a photo tomorrow, smaller kit, fewer tools, very late set) are all Heyco branded.

This is a Good thread for reference.

Tools in my 89SE were missing.

Would be good to have pictures and written specs for all original tool kits from 74 Elite to 92 Excel.

Here's my kit:



Fewer tools - were they expecting them to be more reliable?

None of these toolkits seem to contain a hammer and a roll of duct tape. Some mistake surely?

richardw wrote:None of these toolkits seem to contain a hammer and a roll of duct tape. Some mistake surely?

Oi! These aren't Esprit kits, y'know!

(actually, according to the parts manual, the plastic box kits are).

amarshall wrote:Here's my kit:



Fewer tools - were they expecting them to be more reliable?

fantastic kit Angus, it's different from both Esprit and Elan m100 ..... I envy you so much

rs blu wrote: fantastic kit Angus, it's different from both Esprit and Elan m100 ..... I envy you so much

It's an odd one. I know that. It doesn't actually match any of the diagrams in the parts lists for anything! (and I'm not sure that any of the tools fit anything on the car - but it has a badge!)

My kit is the same as Stuart's. All the tools are Heyco except the spark plug socket which has been replaced. I would pay up to £30 if anyone has a spare original Heyco plug socket that they want to sell.

Mark.

marky wrote:My kit is the same as Stuart's. All the tools are Heyco except the spark plug socket which has been replaced. I would pay up to £30 if anyone has a spare original Heyco plug socket that they want to sell.

Mark.

Sorry Mark. Mines up for £31

Hawaiis0 wrote:

marky wrote:My kit is the same as Stuart's. All the tools are Heyco except the spark plug socket which has been replaced. I would pay up to £30 if anyone has a spare original Heyco plug socket that they want to sell.

Mark.

Sorry Mark. Mines up for £31

Thanks for that Stuart - that's very helpful actually I may know a man who might have one!

Mark.