1986 Lotus Excel SE

With this example originating from early 1987 it boasts all the sought after attributes of the upgraded SE model. Most importantly, these include the HC, high compression version of the 2.2-litre Lotus 912 engine with its differentiating red cam covers. Not too much is known of the Excel’s early life or previous owners other than the evidence of much being spent on the Lotus prior to its current ownership.

Current owner, Steve, acquired the Excel via Bonhams Cars Online in March of 2023. At that time the Lotus was displaying 86,500 miles on its odometer. During his ownership Steve has added a mere 400 miles or so to that total with the digits standing at 86,911 on the day of our shoot. It is mainly this lack of use that is prompting the sale.

The Excel’s design language could be traced right back to the Types 75 and 83 of the 1970’s but that was permissible as they were all designed by former Jaguar, and later TVR, designer Oliver Winterbottom. The redesign succeeded in looking considerably more modern and contemporary despite not that much actually changing. The body coloured bumpers, large boot spoiler and side skirts doing a lot of the heavy lifting in that regard.

This fine example presents in Lotus Cirrus Grey (A53) which suits the wedge-shape of Winterbottom’s design perfectly. The silver / grey livery exudes a good shine overall and all the very 1980’s style marque and model decals appear present and correct. Upon close inspection there are some minor imperfections which our photographer has captured for your review. These consist of paint chips, scratches and catch points around the doors and other opening panels. These are really de rigueur for a 1987 sports car of this ilk, of course. Some minor misalignment is noted to the passenger side door and there is the start of some delamination to a corner of the windscreen.

Other cabin glass and light lenses front and back (with the Rover SD1 rear lamps still doing sterling work and the pop up headlamps... popping up) look in fine fettle and the vacuum injected resin bodywork looking fundamentally free of issues. The original Excel 15-inch alloy wheels look fantastic. These were powder coated in 2020 and still look fresh and bright in their silver livery. The wheels are centred with the period correct covers complete with quirky, red Lotus script. A matching set of Yokohama Advan tyres are fitted, date stamped from 2022 and exhibiting ample remaining tread.

Lotuses of a certain vintage were renowned for their somewhat quirky interiors. The gawdy, tartan clad, Space 1999-esque madness of the 1970’s Esprits spring vividly to mind. By comparison the Excel’s is relatively tame yet still proves a welcome respite to the “black on black on midnight ink on dark charcoal” interiors of many modern offerings.

Instead, the Excel offers up a mid-grey tweed cloth for seat, door card and side panel facings, red leather for other surfaces and a matching set of red carpets. All of the above pass muster pretty well for a 37-year-old British sports car. There is a little age related wear to the leather panels of the driver’s seat – wear but no tear. The rubber heel pads in the front footwells are a little dog-eared but protective carpet mats are present, also.

The dashboard is a vision in padded red leather ahead of the passenger pew. The driver faces a bluff instrument panel finished in a varnished walnut veneer. Six white on black VDO gauges are set into this. The larger two monitoring road speed and engine revolutions with smaller ancillary items for everything else. The original stitched leather and alloy Giugiaro three spoke steering wheel sits ahead of these. A more contemporary Philips head unit is fitted, feeding Vibe speakers. The rear seats look to be of the fairly occasional variety with modest and sensible backrests accompanied by squabs seemingly taking inspiration from giant Swiss Rolls (the idea being to push the knees high into the air to avoid the front seat backs, we understand).

The well-shaped boot is nicely trimmed and conceals a fifth alloy wheel and tyre under the floor.

As well as a highly competitive drag coefficient of 0.32, the Excel was lucky to inherit the, then, latest iteration of the esteemed Type 912 slant-four 16-valve twin-cam engine shared with the Esprit S3. In the high compression form found in this SE car it was rated at 180bhp which lent this slippery and light Lotus a prodigious road dynamic. Performance figures of the time spoke of a 0-60mph sprint starting with a seven and a 130mph plus top speed.

We know from the accompanying paperwork that this Excel has been well catered for in the mechanical department. A full engine rebuild was performed in November 2018 – less than 4,000 miles ago. The work undertaken is fully documented. In 2020 a full coil over suspension kit was also professionally fitted. Given the Excel’s very light mileage in the last few years these can be considered very relevant upgrades.

Lifting the bonnet reveals that good looking Type 912 engine and its accompanying slant. The red finished, Lotus emblazoned cam covers marking it out as the high compression 180 bhp version. The big, twin 45 mm twin-choke Dellorto carburettors and individual K&N air filters give this esteemed unit the look of a real race engine. The inner panels are clean and undamaged and the requite Lotus data plate is noted. Even the duvet-like under bonnet insulation is still present. The underside of the car looks well presented with the ferrous components likely benefitting from a 2012 Waxoyling.

There is plenty of accompanying paperwork included with this Excel. The current V5 registration document is on hand in the name of the current owner. The Lotus held an advisory free MoT up until April of 2024 so is currently registered as SORN. Numerous earlier MoT hard copies are present with the most recent one confirming little over 1,000 miles covered since 2019.

Other documentation includes a slew of interesting invoices covering work undertaken and parts procured from all periods of the car’s history. There are some original Lotus books seemingly present also.

During a full ten years of production Lotus sold just 2,075 Excels of all types. It wasn’t that it was an uncompetitive package, in fact Car magazine put it ahead of the Porsche 944 in their group test. It was just likely blighted by the terribly patchy Eclat of earlier years and the “enthusiasts’ special” image that Lotus still held with the populus at large. With a little over 100 thought to remain on 2024’s roads, that cracking twin-cam engine and fluid road dynamics, the Excel represents a highlight of the 1980’s Lotus range.

The above factors should be viewed as positives by prospective owners. These factors combine to make the Excel an 80’s classics bargain by most benchmarks. For what you might spend on a very average 2010’s hatchback you could put yourself in the driving seat of a Lotus Excel. If that thought appeals then this car is a great option. Well cared for and in the right SE specification this could just be the best introduction to Lotus ownership you are likely to find.

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £6,000 - £8,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am- 12pm or 2pm-4pm. To make a booking, please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, and read our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.