Genuine Minilite wheels, Webasto sunroof and original radio
The Appeal
When the Lotus Elan first went on sale in 1962, its appeal was enormous.
It was pretty in a modern, rather minimalist way, and was quite unlike other small sports-cars from the likes of MG and Triumph, with its double overhead-cam engine, pop-up headlights and emphasis on extreme weight-saving.
Motoring enthusiasts knew it to be a good car as soon as they saw it endorsed by Jim Clark; everyone else fell for it when they saw a catsuited Emma Peel sliding into it in The Avengers.
In 1967, the original two-seater Elan was joined by the +2 model, discreetly restyled and equipped with two small rear seats, turning it into a car for the family motorist.
Despite its enlarged wheelbase, it remained very much a sports-car along traditional Lotus lines, but it was also considerably plusher, such that it might be thought of as a grand-tourer.
From the beginning, the criteria had been to make a car that would transport two adults, two children and their luggage 1,000 miles in comfort.
The +2S was more luxurious still, while the 130 benefitted from the Big Valve engine used in the Elan Sprint and the 130/5 gained the Austin Maxi’s five-speed gearbox for better high-speed cruising.
Manufactured in February 1973 in Cirrus White with a silver metalflake roof and either a Black or Oatmeal interior
Originally fitted with a Philips Turnolock radio
Delivered to original dealer Plough Motors Ltd of Stonehouse, Gloucestershire, on 30th April 1973 and used as a dealer demonstrator
Owned by Mr. Garry Whelan of Hucknall, Nottinghamshire, from 1981 to 2015
The recipient of a full restoration from 2014 to 2017
Paperwork includes an up-to-date V5, several invoices with the latest valid until 21st May, a multitude of invoices covering everything from the restoration to basic servicing, and a Lotus Classic Certificate of Vehicle Provenance with a letter from the Lotus Archivist
Trimmed in Oatmeal, believed to be the original colour
Seats and doors renovated by Carl Trim in 2014
New carpets fitted in 2015, including in the boot
Original Philips Turnolock radio
With its lovely Oatmeal interior and rich walnut fascia, the Elan has more of the look of a large touring car about it than a small sports-car.
It has the feel of a much larger car, too – the legroom is almost what you’d expect from a typical family car, so the Elan demands none of the cramped contortionism and aching joints which is sometimes a feature of sports-car ownership.
With its broad vinyl seats and features like power windows and an automatically-operating radio aerial, it really is quite plush. Considering Lotus’s weight-saving philosophy, some might say it’s more plush than it has any right to be, but we’re not complaining – it still launches like a rocket and handles like a dream.
The interior received some extensive restoration eight years ago, but it hasn’t been used heavily since then and most of it still looks fresh, with a small tear in the seam on the driver’s seat the only blemish to report in the upholstery. Carl Trim repadded and recovered the back panels of both front seats, as well as fitting new boards for the door panels which it covered with the original vinyl and new carpet.
The floor carpets were completely new when fitted in 2014 and they still look new today. Carl Trim also made new boards for the boot and carpeted it.
Since we know the door cards retain their original vinyl and look in fantastic, like-new condition, we’re inclined to believe most of the rest of the interior is original, too, including the Philips radio. We think that goes for the dash and for the headlining, both of which are outstanding.
The steering wheel and the instruments are excellent, the switches have a nice spot of patina and the walnut finish is lovely.
Recipient of a total respray in 2014 by Essex Auto Finishers for £5500 before VAT
Original silver metal flake roof now gloss black
Fitted with four genuine Minilite wheels, plus a spare
Webasto sunroof
One of the sleekest designs of its day, the Elan +2 has always been one of the best-looking cars on the road.
The superb condition in which this car is presented does full justice to its design. Having originally been Cirrus White with a silver metal flake roof, it was repainted all-white in 2015, and the black roof is a more recent alteration.
Like the interior, the eight-year-old paint could almost pass for being fresh, so well has it been preserved. What cosmetic blemishes exist are almost too small to spot, and are confined mainly to the usual places like the front and rear valances.
The brightwork and trim are well presented, with the chrome and the badges exhibiting just a very light patina. The odd item has been replaced; there is a 2014 invoice from Mick Miller Classic Lotus for a chromed headlamp bezel and the four-year World Champion badge.
The Webasto sunroof is a rare and desirable option and that, too, is superb, having been refurbished by GST Performance in 2017.
While we don’t know exactly when the Minilites were fitted but they, too, are in excellent condition.
There is a light, superficial patina around the rim while the powder-coated spokes and the prominent central wheel nuts look more or less immaculate.
The Elan +2 was a 120 mph car with a 0-60mph time of 7.9 seconds. That’s impressive, but you won’t enjoy it if it’s not running well.
Fortunately, this car is running very well indeed. Its excellent state of tune is no doubt down to the extensive work it received in 2016 and 2017, in particular the engine rebuild by GST Performance.
The rebuild saw the cylinders bored out for +0.020” pistons. The main bearings were increased to +0.010” while the big-ends remained standard. It received all new valves, guides and seats.
No stone was left unturned anywhere. The flywheel was refaced, the crankshaft balanced, the carburettors were rebuilt with new jets, floats and diaphragms and the ignition system was rebuilt.
The gearbox came off and was fitted with a new rear oil seal and gaskets. The brake servo was rebuilt and the brakes bled, and that is only a fraction of the work performed. If you can name it, GST Performance probably did it.
Since the work was completed, the Elan has only covered a shade over 5,000 miles, so it’s still very much on top form. At its most recent MoT, it passed with no advisory points, and that remains valid until 21st May.
It is, in short, all ready to go, and it promises to be a real driver’s car.
Elan +2s don’t appear for sale too often and this could be one of the best around.
The paint, interior and engine have barely aged since they were restored or rebuilt between 2014 and 2017. It’s undoubtedly one of the best we’ve seen, but it’s not so excessively pampered and polished that you should be reluctant to drive it. And driving it, of course, is the whole point.
A car like this is just what you need with summer on the horizon.
Find some sweeping country lanes and you’ll be delighted you bought it.
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