Registration No: C580 HKP
Chassis No: SCC089912FHD11769
MOT: February 2024

• In singular ownership from 1988 – 2019, with one prior private owner and one since
• Every single invoice (bar two for an exhaust) between 1991-2019 by the same garage
• Among the best history files we have seen, with invoices on file totalling well in excess of £28,000

When you think of a Lotus you'd be forgiven for not recalling the Excel. In 1982 an evolution of the Eclat, the Lotus Excel (a.k.a. Eclat Excel) was introduced and praised by the contemporary motoring press for its strong performance and superlative handling, as you'd expect of a Lotus. The newcomer utilised a galvanised version of Lotus' iconic 'backbone' chassis equipped with all-round coil-over independent suspension, four-wheel disc brakes and high-geared rack and pinion steering. It is ably powered by Lotus's own 2174cc DOHC four-cylinder engine.

This particular Excel, presented in Glacier Blue Metallic paintwork with a very period Blue half leather/velour trim benefits from a desirable factory specification including power steering, half leather and Speedline wheels. The 5^th of just 14 1985 Excels produced in this specification, ‘C580 HKP’ was manufactured on the 25th of January 1985, ready for the 85 model year, registered on 1st May and delivered on 03 July. This particular example has a very exciting history. Having been in the hands of its first owner, a Mr J McGarrian for two years, the car was sold by Malcolm Waite Ltd. in 1988 to the previous owner, a Mr Weeble. Mr Weeble would own the car for a staggering 31 years in his company’s and subsequently his personal ownership until 2019. The car would be looked-after initially by Crouch’s Garage Ltd. until 1991, and from 1991, apart from two invoices for an exhaust from P.D Gough & Associate, every single service, MOT, and all works were undertaken exclusively by B & D Specialist Cars, with invoices present. In total, on file, there are invoices totalling well in excess of £28,000.

After having been sold to a dealer in 2019, ‘C580 KHP’ was purchased by its current owner in February 2021. Since then, the car has been looked after by Maidstone Sports Cars. Notable works include a replacement steering rack and the subframe repaired in March 2022 at a cost exceeding £1,300 and in December 2022 further works totalling nearly £2,500; including replacement passenger door glass, the cam covers stripped, repainted and re-fitted with replacement gaskets and seals, the engine bay detailed and replacement oil cooler pipes. Having been used and enjoyed thoroughly, the car has now covered 170,457 miles; ticking over 100,000 in 1997 and is offered once more to its lucky new owner as the vendor is scaling down his collection.

With one of the best history files we have seen, there is a rather long list of accompanying documents. Included with the vehicle is the Lotus Certificate of Vehicle Provenance, a number of previous V5C documents, a Lotus brochure, a receipt of sale from Malcolm Waite Ltd, dated 13 August 1988, with an accompanying letter, insurance checklist and pre-sales inspection checklist. In addition, within the Malcolm Waite wallet, the Excel owner’s handbook and two Breakdown Insurance booklets are present; all three are fully completed with service stamps (36 in total). Moving on, there are MOT certificates nearly every year from 1997 through to current, a comprehensive collection of previous invoices totalling in excess of £28,000, further technical data sheets and sundry documents and finally the V5C document which displays 5 former keepers.

Overall, one of the best history files we have seen, refreshingly with a classic that most can deem affordable. Offered at No Reserve, this presents an exciting opportunity.

For more information, please contact:
Andreas Hicks
andreas.hicks@handh.co.uk
07943584762