The Lotus Grand Tourers

I have just seen this on eBay. Looks like a nice car but does this look expensive? I really like the stubby gear stick. I feel mine is too long. Does anyone know if this is a possible retro fit?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/152918179326?ul_noapp=true

Gear stick doesn't look all that stubby to me. The gaiter on mine comes to the bottom of the knob.

Of more concern would be the oil pressure even though the engine is not at operating temp. Bearing in mind the oil takes significantly longer to reach temperature than the coolant, that pressure reading is lower than would make me comfortable.
If you were to view this I would ask to see this start up from cold and also get a friend to drive it whilst you followed in another vehicle and gave it a firm prod on the accelerator to see if there is any blue smoke.
No indication of an engine rebuild - this is right in the territory of big expenditure on the horizon. Proceed with the correct approach

"The all important outriggers" That well known TVR Excel problem.

Agree with Keiran on oil pressure.

Photo taken during winter by the looks of the leaf-less trees, so no excuse for poor oil cooling.

Even if the oil temperature HAD reached 60C then oil pressure should be at least 3 bar. If the Oil temp was 80C you should still see at least 2 bar, and this one is below that.

If the car hasn't been driven significantly and only just reached 60C water temp, then I'd be expecting 4 bar or better at tickover.

The MOT history in 2015 makes reference to over heating. Significant??

Mot history also suggests it's had a knock ( Offside Rear Body has a projection caused by damage (6.1.C.1))
It's then been on Sorn for 15 Months.
I think that would warrant further investigation.
Thought you already had 1 Excel ? Has the bug taken hold ?

fueltheburn wrote:"The all important outriggers" That well known TVR Excel problem.

ABS brakes and Toyota dials too. If nothing else its unique

charles banbury wrote:The MOT history in 2015 makes reference to over heating. Significant??

Possibly. However (with particular reference to causing low oil pressure) you can run an engine quite hot and get away with it. But IF the oil is allowed to overheat and lose film thickness then the bearings are likely to 'pick-up' and score whcih will in future lower oil pressure even at 'mildly warm' oil temperatures.

Which is possibly what is going-on in the dashboard photo.

Back to the price for a moment, if you all don’t mind. It’s a minefield. I am looking to do a genuine insurance agreed value for my Lotus. I have alerts on all the major sites and have taken note of everything that has sold or, indeed not sold, to come to a realistic figure. I am now on a valuation parameter of £2000 - £11250. Could someone advise a secure way to calculate a replacement valuation that would satisfy an insurance company? I am very willing to pay for an accurate assessment. When insuring, I sort of picked a number out of the air!
Many thanks, it’s a real learning experience this neiche ownership!
Regards,
Charles.

charles banbury wrote:Back to the price for a moment, if you all don’t mind. It’s a minefield. I am looking to do a genuine insurance agreed value for my Lotus. I have alerts on all the major sites and have taken note of everything that has sold or, indeed not sold, to come to a realistic figure. I am now on a valuation parameter of £2000 - £11250. Could someone advise a secure way to calculate a replacement valuation that would satisfy an insurance company? I am very willing to pay for an accurate assessment. When insuring, I sort of picked a number out of the air!
Many thanks, it’s a real learning experience this neiche ownership!
Regards,
Charles.

Join Club Lotus. You will be able to get a valuation that is respected by insurance companies. I've been a member since 1980 so do not pay the full membership fee - I think it's worth being a member ..others ex. members on here don't agree.

The Club Lotus valuation process is straightforward.

Lovely colour. I enquired about it when it was up at PNM, but as it didn't have A/C, my enquiry went no further

I know someone who went to see this when they were working nearby. They didn't buy it - too much work needed, and he said that close up it isn't as good as it photographs. He thought it was worth £4k.

Despite that car being in one of my top three paint and interior colour combos judging from the advert I think it's way overpriced. For £11k+ I'd expect flawless paintwork and interior as a minimum. Plus from the description the vendor appears to know little about the car he's selling.

Has it had a colour change as on tax registration noticed colour is down as Blue not Grey or could this be classed as a blue/grey?

I think it is Steel Blue.