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john-saab
Joined: 06 Dec 2007
Posts: 341
Location: West Dorset
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 Posted: Wed May 13, 2009 9:09 pm Post subject: 2 new projects within a week. |
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It's been a roller coaster week...starting with a call from a car dealer asking if i was interested in a Lotus...i said no as i'm trying to finish a SAAB 96, Hillman Avenger and a MKIII Spitfire..i have just spent a big chunk of time on a VW camper so was keen to get stuck into something else.
When he said the car was going for £300 i had to have a look...less than 2 hrs later it was on a transporter and i was £150 lighter in the pocket...yup..thats a 1988 Lotus Excel for £150.
It needs a head gasket, water pump and some TLC..it's been off the road for a year now so i'm keen to get it MOT'd again before things start siezing up...
Just as i started to think about how to fund this my Girlfriend came home from work and mentioned "free classic"...i had to go see and although i had to pay for it...not a lot...i'm now the owner of this..
it's a 1969 Sunbeam Rapier Fastback..reasonably sound but needing a bit of work before it moves again.
Looks like i need to sell some parts to raise funds!
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Rust Junky & oil addict. |
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Rick
Site Admin
Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 22439
Location: UK
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bob2
Joined: 06 Dec 2007
Posts: 1727
Location: Malta
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| Posted: Thu May 14, 2009 8:16 am Post subject: |
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Like them both but especially the fastback rapier!!
Which rapier is it? |
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Nic Jarman
Joined: 05 Oct 2008
Posts: 1031
Location: Stoke by Clare, Suffolk
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| Posted: Thu May 14, 2009 10:06 am Post subject: |
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| John, I just love the Excel. It is a car that it so 80s. I have too many projects at the moment that MY girlfriend has bought. Bless her. |
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peter scott
Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 7118
Location: Edinburgh
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| Posted: Thu May 14, 2009 11:50 pm Post subject: |
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That Excel certainly looks like a bargain. The Rapier does look too bad either.
Peter
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1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon |
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john-saab
Joined: 06 Dec 2007
Posts: 341
Location: West Dorset
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| Posted: Fri May 15, 2009 1:13 am Post subject: |
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| Rick wrote: | Any pics of the Spitfire?
R |
Now this might not work for some people...what we have is a MKIII Spitfire that was almost road ready 10 years ago...the engine was worked to perfection..a large amount of work done on all of the moving parts..lot's of new bushes and bearings were fitted and the car was put together for a "trial fit"..then it was taken apart for a spray job.
What happens next is a common story..family/kids/job got in the way and 10 years later an AD in the local free paper..a phone call and the exchange of beer tokens resulted in a pile of bits.
My mate had the idea that rather than sink all of our spare cash into the car we could get it road legal...(my MOT station is strict so not a "Micky Mouse" MOT)without hiding the car?
Th idea is to put the car on the road..shake out any issues and then if anyone want's to spend next winter pulling it apart and re-painting it then they can with the knowledge that it's not a rot box.
BUT as usual..i had a drive in the car last week and i'm keen on spending a bit of time in it..I have driven a few Triumph's but i'm keen to find out how bad this "rear end tuck" is!
..pic before the doors and brakes were fitted..
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bob2
Joined: 06 Dec 2007
Posts: 1727
Location: Malta
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| Posted: Fri May 15, 2009 8:11 am Post subject: |
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Wow plenty of room to play around in there!!!
bit envious!!!!!  |
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Rick
Site Admin
Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 22439
Location: UK
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| Posted: Fri May 15, 2009 8:38 am Post subject: |
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My first Mk3 used to be quite tail happy if pressing on in the twisty lanes, but after a bit of practice I got used to it. I remember clearly how the back end of the car would begin to lift up, giving you a little notice that the rear wheels were preparing to 'clap hands'
The later 2.5 Mk3 had a Rotoflex back end on it, and transformed how it handled (at the expense of regular rubber doughnut swaps)
R
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Home:https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk
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lowdrag
Joined: 10 Apr 2009
Posts: 1585
Location: Le Mans
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| Posted: Fri May 15, 2009 10:59 am Post subject: |
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| That Rapier is one of the later ones IIRC. The 1725cc engine and they must be pretty rare these days - I've not seen one in years. Speaking of rare cars I pulled up behind one the other day I'd forgotten existed - a Talbot Solara. Pretty good nick too except for that dog poo colour. |
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scott_budds
Joined: 20 Nov 2008
Posts: 175
Location: Norwich
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| Posted: Sat May 16, 2009 5:46 pm Post subject: |
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John nice Excel
Not sure if you seen my Esprit thread? But my mate whos got 2 Esprit also has an Excel too and they are one of the more reliable of the Lotus cars...when in good working order lol. They are amazingly cheap so its sometimes a job to justify any outlay as you can still end up with a great car but worth very little. The factory has recently moved their stores back to Hethal near me in Norwich and have been going through a lot of their old stock. They have then been selling off parts at great value, some are still left so if you havent look here before you buy any parts.
http://www.lotus60thanniversary.com/forsale.php
There is also a great Excel, Eclat & Elite forum.
All the best with your restos
Buddsy
PS I like the white car too |
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