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This car is Lot 101 to be auctioned by Bonhams|Cars at the Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale on 11 July, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Public Viewing:
Available Thursday 10 July from 09:00 until 17:00 and Friday 11 July from 09:00 until 17:00, at The Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Lot 101
1969 Lotus Elan +2S Coupé
Registration no. WUU 317G
Chassis no. 50/ 1526
Present ownership since 2015
Enthusiast owned and garage stored
Used regularly until early this year
Numerous bills for various works on file
Launched in 1966 and based on the highly successful Elan sports car, the '+2' version retained the former's independently-suspended backbone chassis but came with a wheelbase lengthened by 12 inches to make room for two occasional rear seats. Aimed at the sports car enthusiast with a young family, the Elan +2 represented a move up market by Lotus and featured an improved interior with a walnut veneer dashboard, electric windows, radio and alarm as standard equipment. The 1, 558cc twin-cam engine was that of the Elan SE, and with 118bhp on tap the aerodynamically efficient +2 was good for nearly 120mph. Build quality was further improved upon by the +2S of 1968 - the first Lotus not available in kit form - and then in 1971 came the +2S 130, with 126bhp 'big valve' engine and increased performance. What would be the final +2 variant - the 130/ 5 - arrived in October 1972 boasting, as its name suggests, a five-speed gearbox. Top speed remained around 120mph (193km/ h), the extra gear being in effect an 'overdrive' that lowered cruising-speed revs for improved fuel economy.
This Elan +2S has been in the current ownership since 2015 and is finished in red with a walnut dashboard and black interior. Enthusiast owned and garage stored, the Lotus was used regularly until the engineer-owner's death early this year. Last year £3, 200 was spent with Spydercars for various mechanical works to the propshafts, chassis repairs, seals, comprehensive servicing, and a new starter motor. Also on file is another (£1, 490) invoice from Spydercars for four new Minilite wheels, while in 2020 £2, 200 was spent at JS Motorsport for new bearings, two con-rods, refitting of camshafts, setting valve clearances, full engine reassembly, etc. There are also various invoices from SJ Sportscars and Carbcare dated 2024 for brake parts and other items relating to Spydercars' mechanical works.
All lots are sold 'as is/ where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Visit the Bonhams|Cars website for all pertinent auction information.
