An Excel in Florida?

[dpr59]

Anyone seen this car, spotted by a brit on holiday

http://www.phpbber.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=499&mforum=teeslotus

[Brian Skeoch]

why were they not brought to the states ?

[Esprit2]

Sales of the Elite & Eclat were virtually non-existant in the USA, and the cost of certifying a car against Federal requirements were very high. I'm guessing, but Lotus was probably wary of investing in certifying the Excel and then whiffing for strike three.

Regards,
Tim Engel

[WayneB]

Wasn't the Excel still classed as a Eclat (in Britain), so that Lotus could avoid crash testing the "new" car for type approval?

The Federales probably didn't buy Lotuses "rouse" that the car was a slightly improved Eclat, so the car would have had to go through all the expensive emmisions and crash testing for federal certification to be sold legally in the US.

I have looked at getting an Excel into Canada and as long as its over 15 years old and meets the emissions standards in force then I can do it(it has to be smogged here every 2 years).

All the Elites I have looked at to buy have been overpriced restoration projects, but I do think I will own one of Oliver Winterbottom's masterpieces one day!

[dpr59]

Wasn't the Excel still classed as a Eclat (in Britain), so that Lotus could avoid crash testing the "new" car for type approval?

!


Quite correct.

Mines a late modle, 1989, and the log book shows it as a 'Lotus Eclat Excel'.