As suggested by its extended name, the Elan +2 is a plus-sized derivation of Lotus’s seminal sports car, with two extra seats, a wheelbase extended by 12 inches and a widened, fixed-head body shell to create a much roomier interior (all things relative). 

The brief was to transport two adults, two children and their luggage 1000 miles in comfort, putting the diminutive sports car much further into GT territory than the famed Type 26 Elan. Despite this, we are still talking about a claimed mass of 889kg – just over half that of the new BMW M2, for some modern context. This makes the 120 horsepower from its 1558cc Lotus TwinCam engine more substantial than modern power standards would have you believe.

Underneath, many of the bare bones were carried over from the two-seater Elan, save for new wishbones and servo-assisted disc brakes all-round as notable changes. 

The result is that despite being larger and heavier, it still handles with all the classic Lotus brilliance you would hope for, with the longer wheelbase and wider tracks giving it inherently more stability too. Furthermore, the +2 was the first Lotus model for which every car was factory-built (as opposed to being offered in kit form), meaning better quality control to go along with the more upmarket interior.

Inside, the interior presents well from the driver’s seat as you are greeted by the original, Colin Chapman engraved steering wheel, a nicely aged wooden gearknob and a full-width expanse of classy walnut. 

The panel on the passenger’s side of the centre console might prefer some attention, but everything else is straight and true and the seller had no faults to report with the dashboard or electrics – the dash-operated electric windows even operate smoothly, quite a feature for a 1968 Lotus to have. 

The made-for-kids rear seats look like new and the only upholstery damage is on the door-side driver’s seat bolsters. All-in-all, this is a cosy but well-appointed cabin that will need little in the way of TLC.

This Elan +2 can catch your attention from twenty paces away with its Lemon Yellow paintwork, oh-so-‘60s chrome trim from nose to tail, and the dainty yet pretty shape that is clearly related to the roadster but more mature in stature, stretching gently over its little 13-inch wheels and comfort-friendly high-profile tyres.

Said paintwork is mostly in great shape, but the driver’s side rear fender area has faded to a more custard-like hue (new paint for sorting this out is included with the car). Other than that, the only thing to say against the straight and tidy fibreglass body is that both doors take some effort to open, seeming to have dropped down a little low on their hinges.

While the five-digit odometer reads 39,822 miles, looking through the car’s paperwork reveals a 1978 MOT sheet stating the mileage as 52,698 and a service invoice from 1984 which states the mileage as 67,142 – this suggests that the Elan may in fact have gone around the clock and covered 139,822 miles, although this is unclear. 

More recent MOTs show the car at 34,744 miles in April 2014, 38,041 in May 2015 and 38,938 miles in 2018. The latter measurement, combined with the current odometer reading, means that the car has covered less than 900 miles in the past five years.

The paperwork also reveals, anecdotally, that the chassis was replaced in 1980 – as per a handwritten valuation letter on Lotus Fibreglass Services headed paper, dated 3rd October 1986 – although there is no invoice present for said work being done. There is invoice evidence for a paint restoration having been performed by Lotus specialist C.J. Foulds (sadly not dated). A 2021 invoice details an engine-out service that included a new clutch assembly, plus new gaskets, bushings and front ball joints.

On photoshoot day the car fired up well, fizzing with energy as it sat with the red-topped TwinCam engine idling, while the vacuum powered pop-up headlights operated almost perfectly – the driver’s-side headlight made it 90% of the way up shortly after a cold start, the passenger’s-side light 100% – to complete the Elan’s beaming smile.

With fresh attention (and a fresh move upmarket) for the Lotus brand, now is a great time to get in on the action and put a ‘proper’ Chapman-era car in your garage that is sufficiently practical and well supported by the enthusiast community for you to get out there and drive it regularly, to truly understand what all the fuss is about.

While it is heavier with a larger footprint, the +2 still handles like an Elan, meaning the kind of steering feel that legendary engineer Gordon Murray once described as “perfect” and an uncanny blend of smooth ride comfort and taut body control that it sees only Lotus in its pomp can achieve – without cheating their way there using heavy and expensive electromagnetic dampers or the like.

This example has seen scant use during the seller’s ownership and they have expressed that it should go to someone who will give it the treatment and exercise that it deserves. The rewards for doing so would be magnificent.

Notice to bidders

This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.*

UK-registered cars and motorbikes on Car & Classic are run through an online HPI check. On the HPI report, this vehicle shows no insurance database markers for damage or theft. It is currently not covered by a finance agreement.