In the seller’s care since April this year, this 1988 Lotus Excel is the fourth Excel/Eclat he’s had (a self-confessed Lotus enthusiast, he’s also got an Esprit) and he tells us that this one drives the best of them all following some work to the engine, brakes and front suspension.

After having had plenty of fun working on it - as an engineer, getting grease under his fingernails is how he has fun - ‘F357 OHV’ is only for sale because he’s been offered a job abroad and won’t be around to enjoy and look after it.

He’s gutted he’s got to sell it but his loss could be your gain, especially because he’s got sufficient faith in the quality of his car to sell it with no reserve… The seller tells us that the Excel’s bodywork is “ the real selling point ”, going on to extol its virtues saying it is “ excellent ” before ending with the assurance it “ has a brilliant shine that these photos don’t do justice! ” We agree, it does look good with very shiny paintwork.

We haven’t seen it in the f...