The Lotus Grand Tourers

At the NEC in around three weeks' time:

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/14681851

Not noticed an Excel coming up at the NEC show auctions before. The auction tends to do pretty well, better prices and a higher percentage of sales than typical, no doubt attracting show-goers in addition to the regular auction attendees. It'll be interesting to see what it makes.

Looks tidy enough, but not much info in the advert. Seats a little worn but OK. K&N air filters, I still don't really understand why people fitting these things think they know better than Lotus' own engineers. Seems to be changing hands frequently - bought 2 years ago, the buyer fixed some stuff up ("restored" seems over-selling what was done), then sold a year ago to a private collection, now a year later it's for sale again.

If anyone comes by our stand at the show wanting to buy one, at least we'll be able to tell them there's one for sale nearby! Maybe one of us should lurk around the auction and accost the buyer, make sure they sign up to our group straight away

Top spec model

- missing Airbox, Aircon and Cruise Control so well down on Top Spec

Tired and messed around with is how I see it, will be a good guide to where prices are heading. £6.5k-£7k in my humble opinion

As Richard identifies, has been through Mathewson's auction twice in the last couple of years. Sold at just under £7K in March 21, then £9.6K in Feb last year.
Prior to March 21, there's no electronic MOT data, so was either in a collection or just lost in a shed.
Tony

Its Sister car F567OLL was up for 5k in 2017.

Sold for £8,500 plus 15%buyers premium
Some chap had a lucky escape posting his 8800 internet bid just as the hammer fell.
Other than 2 rotten window frames, it looked a half decent car until you opened a door, bonnet or boot. Then reality struck.
Tony

Done well to fetch that imo. There is a world of difference between a well maintained and cared for car and what was on offer today. Perhaps some people don’t see it. On a side note, the cherished by enthusiast blue one currently on sale for big bucks has had a slight leek on the PAS for the last two MOT’s

The auction seemed slow at best, not advertised well enough or uninteresting cars or people being a bit more careful, or maybe a bit of all three

Well, even though it reached £8,500 with no reserve it didn’t actually sell??
Sounds like dodgy auctioneer tactics taking bids off the walls!!

Anyway, it’s now available as a buy it now bargain of £13,000!!!!!!!!

https://www.classiccarauctions.co.uk/re ... 6-nec-0323

We thought something was odd. The hammer didn't really fall. It was more of a table tap and some incoherent words muttered.
Why does it appear car adverts fall outside the realms of trade descriptions act? ANYONE who sees this car would know instantly it's not been restored. Someone's trying to fleece a potential buyer. It's a £5k car absolute tops.
Tony

Just looked at the link again. It is to the original pre sale listing, so maybe it did sell.
Tony

MetBlue wrote: Wed Mar 29, 2023 07:17 Just looked at the link again. It is to the original pre sale listing, so maybe it did sell.
Tony

If you look at the catalogue listings for the day - https://www.classiccarauctions.co.uk/th ... -2/ipp-100 you will see the sold prices of the lots, except the Excel which has the buy it now price.

Also, out of interest has anyone read the condition report, complete Jackanory!! Almost pristine engine bay. In fact most things get 4/5 stars with an overall score of 100/135

Interestingly the owner is also a classic car specialist for Silverstone auctions https://www.silverstoneauctions.com/about/the-team
Who run the CCA - https://www.classiccarauctions.co.uk/about/the-team

Don’t think I could ever trust his valuation of a car!!!

The catalogue started Mr Fox-Edwards as the consignor, meaning he could be the owner, but is more likely the owners representative.
Doesn't alter the fact though, that if he is happy for his name to used on a car so obviously miss represented in its description, it just proves how dodgy the car sales market and auctions area.
Tony

Very good Almost pristine / Mechanically & cosmetically sound / Driven only occasionally / Extensive vehicle history

This is the description for a 4* car from their web site, which the car was generally described as. I'd probably agree with the 'driven only occasionally' part, but you'd think it needs to tick all boxes, not just one.

Tony