Random # 77: Mid-80s Lotus Excel

There are at least two cars to bear the Excel nameplate. However, one of them - the cheap 'n' cheerful Hyundai Excel - is unlikely to ever be regarded as a classic car.

That leaves us the subject of today's post: the Lotus Excel. Found in one of UMPH's favourite hunting grounds, North Hobart's Elizabeth Street restaurant strip, this particular version looked great with its low slung body and 1980s wedge-profile.

A bit of bug-spatter suggests the owner isn't scared to give his car a run in the countryside.

The DN prefix rego suggests that the car has been in Tasmania for thirty-odd years or so but this is the first time that it's come to UMPH's attention. That's not to say that it's not a Hobart-based car. However, given our capital city's relatively small population, the likelihood is that it would be a more common sight in and around town if it were from the south.

Unlike a lot of other Lotuses, which feature a mid-engine / rear wheel drive configuration, the Excel clearly has the motor in the front and drives through its rear wheels. This particular version was fitted with an automatic transmission.

Ouch! A carelessly discarded screw has entered the driver's side front tyre.

The presentation was first-rate, with everything looking straight, clean and tidy. It did , however, appear to be a car that was used - and enjoyed - on a regular basis. And why wouldn't it be?

the custom Lotus wheels are a nice touch.

U M P H

(uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au .)

All iPhone images.

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