When company founder Colin Chapman died suddenly of a heart attack at the age of 54 in December 1982, Lotus Cars Ltd was in severe financial difficulties. And, even had Chapman survived, it is almost certain he would have been jailed for his part in a fraudulent scheme which was siphoning-off government money paid to Lotus for engineering development work carried out for DeLorean. Faced with falling sales, heavy losses and massive debts, the future for Lotus looked bleak. A rescue package was put together which involved British Car Auctions becoming the majority shareholder and Toyota acquiring a 20 per cent stake in the company. The Japanese automaker, suppliers of a variety of mechanical components to Lotus, as apparently interested in buying the business, but this idea did not gain the approval of the British Government and in 1985 General Motors took over the entire operation.

In the meantime, being strapped for cash, Lotus introduced the Eclat Excel as a means of avoiding the expense of putting the new Excel model through the Type Approval process. The more rounded Excel bodywork was mounted on an Eclat chassis, with the familiar 2.2-litre DOHC Lotus engine mated to a Toyota 5-speed gearbox and drivetrain. The result was a stylish 2+2 sports coupe that could reach 135mph and hit 60mph in 6.8 seconds from a standing start.

The introduction of the Excel SE in 1985 saw the engine output boosted to 180bhp (from 160bhp) with an automatic transmission appearing in the Excel SA the following year. Minor cosmetic alterations included the use of different mirrors and 15-inch diameter alloy wheels replacing the earlier 14-inch rims at a later date. Although a much-appreciated car nowadays, sales of the Excel when it was new were rather disappointing, with only just over two thousand cars produced by the time the model was phased out in 1992. Part of the problem was that the Excel was never officially marketed in North America (due to the difficulties perceived by Lotus in making it conform to the stringent US vehicle regulations) and this void simply couldnít be filled by British and European buyers.

The Excel story spans one of the most traumatic periods in Lotus history but, in common with other models produced by the company during this time, it has since become regarded as a true classic and today forms an integral part of Lotus heritage. Included are road and comparison tests, model introductions and updates, full specifications & performance data plus features on touring and advice on acquiring a used Excel. Models covered: the original Excel, the SE, & the automatic SA. Included are road and comparison tests, model introductions and updates, full specifications & performance data plus features on touring and advice on acquiring a used Excel. Models covered: the original Excel, the SE, & the automatic SA. A total of 160 fully illustrated pages. SB.

Publisher: Brooklands Books

Status: Out of Print (No Stock)

Binding: SBD