dave excell

We are staying at the Holiday inn, London Rd, Wrotham Heath, Sevenoaks TN15 7RS. We can drop by the Premier inn on Saturday and pick up anyone that wants transport to the Wellington. Just give me a ring on 07305 309300, we will have space for 2 or 3. We may also pop in for a quick pint before hand any way.

I have a couple of spare set virtually unused buoght from SJS if you don't mind second hand. I replaced my entire system with a Lotusbits system so have spares of almost everthing

We have been on several tours with 'Classic Car Tours International' and found the hotels and stops very good. The proprietor accompanies the tour and is vigilat that the slower classics don't get left behind or lost. The tour success is dependant on the friendliness of the rest of the group and we have had tours with new Bentleys, Audi R8, XJR, Ferraris etc. and all have been a great fun to be with. We (Ann) also do self organised tours by ourselves, and have found some great stops along the way with a couple of not so good ones. Always Lotus cars generate interest at your stops.

Saw Diana Rigg in the avengers and that was the first step. Nearly killed myself on a Honda CB77 motorbike, and while recovering in hospital saw the Prisoner and then it was irreversible. However many bikes and cars later had an Excel followed by the Esprit V8 and just had to get the wife a M100 Elan. I have no intention of reversing the trend.

All the best Mike. I am sorry I cant come to the Lotus 70th. But I am approaching 73 years old and the cycle ride in Tuscany must come first while I am still fit enough to do it. I do hope all the Lotus enthusiasts who do attend have a wonderful time. Dave Excell

Sadly this event clashes with my cycling event in Italy. Hope you all have a great time and well done Bibs for the organisation.

I may be wrong but I think the oil light is on the line going to the head (cams and hydraulic tappets) after its pumped through the oil coolers. If you have blocked oil coolers it makes the oil light come on but you still have oil pressure at the crank as its on a different line. I had the oil light problem myself and taking the coolers out by linking the flow and return pipes on the filter housing gave me flow of oil back to the head. So new cooler pipes and coolers solves the problem.

Ann and I drive down over 3 days, sometimes on the east and sometimes west If going down the west then don't miss out on driving over the Millau bridge and visiting the exhibition just off the auto route. Some nice hotels in Millau town with secure parking. If going east then Geoffers route is good but after Lyon we would keep in France and head to Orange and take in the Roman theater before heading to Nice and Monaco. A warning about Monaco traffic on Friday as well as the weekend, its horrendous as roads are closed. Train from Nice for us pensioners is 3 euros return

We hope to have tickets for the 'Panorama ' stand (too late for the Dunlop). As we ate old timers we booked the Ibis Center in Le Mans. Its walking distance to the old town center with all its restaurants and bars and the relatively new tram system runs past the hotel to the circuit if we don't want to drive in. If you want to drive in to the town center the new underground car park has been open for a couple of years now, so no problem with parking. its walking distance from there to the new and old town centers.

I shipped the last remaining Excel parts I had to Don.Hasi which included the instruments, switches window mechs., alternator + some trim. but no ignition switch. I got one new at the time from Paul Mattey and would be with the steering column. I cant remember selling it so I will have a look in the garage loft over Christmas.

In case you come back, Its a complete rolling chassis with suspension. discs. calipers, 3.9 diff and drive shafts + power steering rack. £400-00 including the 5 elite alloy wheels. My Excel SE is now fully trimmed and almost ready for the road so I must cut down my spares.

If it any good, I have a complete 1984 Excel galvanized rolling chassis for sale ready to drop an elite body on. I know it would not be original but much easier to maintain with its Toyota bits. Ii am not sure what body mods are required though. its complete with power steering rack and prop shaft plus a set of 5 Elite alloy wheels.

Many thanks for a great evening. Snow all the way to Bristol but none yet in Somerset.

Ann & I will be at the hotel in the afternoon. In fact we are staying tonight as well. We visit friends in Kent during Saturday then meet up for the dinner. Sorry to hear about Mike, hope he recovers quickly.