Description
H&H Classic Auction @ The Imperial War Museum, Duxford/ Cambridgeshire
19th June, 2024 13:00
1974 Lotus Elan +2S 130/ 5
Estimate
£32, 000 - £38, 000
Buyer's Premium applies (subject to a minimum charge and VAT)
Lot details
Registration No: UWR 7N
Chassis No: 73061438L
MOT: Exempt
c. 350 miles since an extensive restoration
Restored with a new chassis
Desriable 'S' 130/ 5 model
Finished in Roman Purple Metallic
The Elan 2 was revealed to the world in 1962 with a 1500cc engine and a four-speed gearbox in a small and stylish 2-seater roadster form. The Plus 2 (code-named M20) was introduced in 1967 and had arguably better proportions than the 'baby' Elan. In 1971 the +2S 130 was launched with the Lotus 'Twin Cam' engine, providing an improved 126bhp hence the “130” model suffix. It produced a maximum torque of 113lb/ ft at 5, 500 rpm, providing plenty of power to fully enjoy this lightweight and useable family sports car. The +2S 130 was an appreciable step up in quality with a raft of luxury fittings from quartz halogen fog lights to burr walnut facia and electric windows. In October 1972 the long-called for 5-speed gearboxes finally arrived as an option, to make cruising smoother, and the Lotus Elan +2S 130/ 5 became ‘the’ version to have.
First registered with the DVLA on 1st August 1974, this ‘S’ 130/ 5 iteration of the Elan +2 Coupe is finished in Roman Purple Metallic (L21) with an Oatmeal interior. Displaying some 58, 700 miles with three previous documented owners only, the car was previously restored in a ‘5 year no expense spared total rebuild’, completed in September 2020 at a recorded mileage of c. 58, 347. The body was totally stripped bare then sent off to the paint shop where it was taken back to the gel coat, any repairs made then sprayed in Roman Purple Metallic. Completing 350 miles since, it remains in ‘as built’ condition.
Mechanically, the list of work is extensive. A new Lotus designed chassis was ordered with all additional stiffening as per the Lotus 26R design. The chassis was professionally cold zinc sprayed then sprayed in Grey. For additional protection the chassis was then given a final coat of POR 15 in Silver. The sill members were replaced with stainless steel box section items together with seat belt mounting points. The sill closing plates under the wheel arches were also replaced with stainless steel units.
The front suspension was overhauled, wishbones powder coated, and new poly bushes fitted throughout. New TTR adjustable shocks and uprated springs were fitted with adjustable ride height, new bearings etc. The rear suspension was overhauled with new oval section 'A' frames from Spyder, poly bushes fitted, TTR adjustable shocks and uprated springs with adjustable ride height. The steering rack was inspected and a new solid U/ J fitted. The steering column was repainted.
The engine fully overhauled by John Smurthwaite at 'JSMotorsport' to Q360 sport spec. The head was cleaned, tested, skimmed and ported. The head was then fitted with all new guides, seats, valves and followers, the head was fitted with Q360 cams, new bearings and shimmed. The cams were fitted with vernier sprockets. The engine was also built with a new block, new pistons, a reground crank and all new bearings; new chain, tensioners etc fitted; the sump has been baffled to eliminate oil surge; there was a new front cover (Burton design) with a removable water pump cartridge; new fuel pump, new high torque starter, distributor fully rebuilt by 'Distributor Doctor' and Luminition Optronic ignition fitted; new plug leads; twin Dellorto carbs stripped, professionally cleaned, rebuilt and re-jetted for Q360 spec.; stainless braided fuel pipes fitted; K&N filter fitted. There’s a new stainless steel exhaust; the back box was hand-made and is a copy of the 'Pico' box as fitted to the last of the +2s - it is also in stainless and reportedly sounds beautiful. The 5-speed Lotus gearbox fitted, was purchased, overhauled and then inspected at Alan Voight gearboxes, Birkenhead, before fitting. A new clutch has been fitted along with new thrust and spigot bearings, new slave and master clutch cylinders with stainless braided pipe. The differential unit was stripped, inspected, cleaned and rebuilt with new bearings and thrust washers. New TTR steel billet output shafts have been fitted, rubber donuts replaced with new Kelvedon twin U/ J’s with sliding splines.
The brake system has been fully overhauled, the front and rear calipers professionally rebuilt; fitted with new grooved discs, Greenstuff pads and new handbrake pads; copper brake tube throughout with stainless connections and stainless braided flexible hoses; a new master cylinder and professionally rebuilt servo; new handbrake cable and upgraded fully adjustable rear handbrake rods. The cooling system has a new TTR alloy full-width radiator and electric thermostatically controlled fan. All hoses are silicon and the system is filled via a Clive modified thermostat housing. The system is filled with waterless coolant.
The vehicle has had a total rewire with all new harnesses; a new uprated alternator is fitted; new windscreen wiper motor and system; new relays; new headlamp solenoid; new headlamps; new side/ indicator lamps; door window motors overhauled; rear lamp clusters and number plate lamps overhauled; all gauges stripped, cleaned, painted and fitted with new bezels and rubber seals. The new dash is fitted with a new set of switches. A period Philips Turnolock radio is fitted and a modern stereo unit is fitted in the glove box. The interior heater box was disassembled, powder-coated and reassembled with new seals and a new 2-speed motor. The petrol tank was stripped and cleaned and painted in Black POR 15 and new stainless straps fitted. The petrol tank has a modified breather system which uses a stainless braided hose linked into the filler neck. A single small diameter hose then loops over the cabin and exits under the car, alleviating any petrol smells.
The interior is in a very original specification and in overall very good condition. A new dash has been fitted together with a new roof lining. The carpets are wool and were tailor-made to original spec and then edge-bound. A new pair of chrome coat hooks has been fitted.
The body has been fitted with all-new badges; both bumpers and window frames have been re-chromed; a new lockable petrol filler, new door locks and handles; all new quarter-light rubbers and channels fitted together with side window rubber and felt seals; a new rear screen rubber seal and the front screen re-bonded with new Silver trim. Lastly, the Elan has been fitted with the Spyder 'Minilite'-style peg drive 14" x 6" alloy wheels shod with Dunlop 185 x 65 x 14 tyres. This gives the same rolling circumference as the original fitment and the speedo reads spot on.
Accompanied by a current V5C Registration Document, this is an opportunity to own an Elan +2S with a recently completed extensive restoration.
