The Lotus Grand Tourers

Hi I'm hunting for replacement waistline trim but most material i see is standard u channel stuff.
However, my 86 MY has a stepped profile.

Does anyone else have this type or ever purchased any?

I don't think that stepped profile is available, but for the really determined it would be possible, but you'd have the tooling costs for a rubber extrusion firm to make the die and do a small run. I think most people just go with the later style which is the one you've found available.

Have you tried SJ sportscars, I have just purchased the trims complete

Kerry wrote: Fri Jun 30, 2023 18:35 Have you tried SJ sportscars, I have just purchased the trims complete

Can you post a piccy of the profile?

Sorry, I have just read your post. I am afraid that the trims were sent straight to the spayers so I didn't see them. If you ring SJ Sportscars and explain what you are looking for then they should be able to help, or alternatively Lotus Bits.

Kerry

Im not near my car to take a picture at the moment but Ive just replaced some of the trim on my 1983 Excel with the stuff from SJ's (https://www.sjsportscars.com/parts-and- ... 005MTR.htm). Its a very close match to the original with the very slight step in it.

Take care to follow the fitting instructions though, the trim is very stiff until warmed, but I was also warned that leaving a heat gun on it too long could cause a molten puddle on the floor.

Thanks All . 2 votes for SJ so I'll use theirs.

I've just had my Excel re-sprayed in the OE Aqua Blue and am soon going to fit new waist line trim. I did toy with the idea of having the joining ridge ground off and filled but decided Excels just don't seem to look "right" without the black waist trim.

Has anyone used an alternative to the plastic waist line trim carrier fitted to each of the doors? The original door trim carriers on my car broke up when I removed them, which I couldn't complain about given that they are 33 years old. I'm considering using a thin aluminium extrusion which would be more durable and maybe, as a bonus, cheaper than the plastic trim carriers at £70 per pair.

Your idea of using aluminium is a good one. The problem will be finding something the correct size. You may end up cutting your own. You could also make some fibreglass ones by laminating some preformed roofing sheet together to get the correct thickness and then cutting to size - easier to work with than aluminium

Pete

PS - love the colour of your car!

There is nothing to stop you making your own. If it does the job and you're happy then good to go.

I'm going to investigate the aluminium route chaps. I'm away on holiday so I'll not be able to measure the original trim carriers until I get home.

Aye, Aqua is a nice colur Pete. I believe only 2 Excels were painted in that colour by the factory, just prior to the end of production.

KevW wrote: Sun Jun 15, 2025 11:50 I've just had my Excel re-sprayed in the OE Aqua Blue and am soon going to fit new waist line trim. I did toy with the idea of having the joining ridge ground off and filled but decided Excels just don't seem to look "right" without the black waist trim.

Has anyone used an alternative to the plastic waist line trim carrier fitted to each of the doors? The original door trim carriers on my car broke up when I removed them, which I couldn't complain about given that they are 33 years old. I'm considering using a thin aluminium extrusion which would be more durable and maybe, as a bonus, cheaper than the plastic trim carriers at £70 per pair.

Mine are wood. Well on the passenger side at least. don't know if that's factory or not.

I was looking at acrylic

https://www.plastock.co.uk/products/acr ... 9665446112

The acrylic looks like a good option so long as it doesn't break when fitting.

Pete

Today I bought some 1/4 inch aluminium bar from my local branch of Metal Supermarkets. All I had to do was drill holes in the right places using my drill press and then fasten the bar onto the car's body. Being quarter inch means the ali bar is 6.35mm as opposed to the original 6mm plastic trim carrier but the trim fits over it fine.

It was 28c today which was deal for fitting the new trim but I've not glued it on yet in case it contracts when temps cool down overnight. I'm going to get up early tomorrow morning when it's still relatively cool to do the glueing and final fit.

I bought 3 metres of metal bar at £11 which means, as a bonus, I saved £72 by not buying two OE style plastic carriers !