Highlights

Tidy and very presentable ‘Big Valve’ 130
£10,000 engine rebuilt and retrim in 2016 with minimal miles since
New Spyder chassis reportedly fitted by previous keeper
£2,000 mechanical maintenance since 2020
Dry stored with cover and trickle charger

The Appeal

The ‘Big Valve’ engine gave the ‘Plus 2’ Elan the performance to match the practicality. Typically light and nimble, these rare cars are a choice alternative to more common GT models.

This 1971 Plus 2 130 looks smart in white over black. The current keeper acquired it in 2020 to join his sports car collection. Prior to that it had reportedly been fitted with a desirable Spyder chassis and received a £10,000 investment that included a full engine rebuild and partial retrim. Much of the work was undertaken by Lotus specialist Allon White. Since buying the car, the current keeper has spent £2,000 covering work to the driveshaft, propshaft, electrics, new battery and replacement spark plugs.

The car has covered few miles since so is reported to be in very good mechanical health. That sparing use means a tune up, check over and service would be useful. There are also some minor electrical points to note - not untypical of a Lotus of this era - but they do not significantly detract from what presents as a very usable and much-loved classic Lotus.

History and Paperwork

First registered 1st August 1971
Current keeper since July 2020
History file dates back to 2014
Extensive maintenance since 2014 including full engine rebuild and partial retrim
Invoices for this and other work are shown in the photographs
Maintained by local mechanic and Allon White prior to 2020
Engine rebuild at 87,312 miles and now on 89,176 miles
Vendor advises that the car is reportedly fitted with a Spyder chassis
The buyer should assure themselves that this is correct from the photographs
Dry garage stored with cover and trickle charger during current keeper’s tenure
Reported to have previously been owned by a keeper in Scotland
We are told that he did much of the maintenance himself, as evidenced by numerous receipts for parts
Chassis number 05621
£1,250 invoice from Classic Car Management in November 2020 for mechanical and electrical repairs as shown
£775 invoice dated June 2020 for battery, spark plugs and repairs to driveshaft and propshaft
Part of vendor’s sports car collection and only for sale due to lack of use
MOT and tax exempt Historic Vehicle
Last MOT expired 3rd December 2018 with no advisories and 87,603 miles on test
1 set of keys
Folder of history as shown with highlights in photos
Factory handbooks in good condition

The Condition

White paintwork which vendor suggest has been resprayed at some point
Paintwork presents well with few marks to note in photographs
These include a chip to nearside rear arch which is minor
Fibreglass bodywork in good condition with two small areas of crazing noted
Factory standard car with well kept trim and wheels as shown
Nearside pop up headlight operates but requires attention as shown
Underside reported to be in very good condition with Spyder chassis said to be fitted
Sill rails ‘seem to be rust free’ according to seller
Vendor reports that the underside has been treated with anti rust paint
Car has covered few miles since last MOT which had no structural advisories
Black interior in very good order with usual Lotus level of fit and finish
Interior fittings including switchgear and wood veneers are well kept
Folding manual sunroof reported to be watertight and to work correctly
Fitted with a period correct radio converted to Bluetooth but untested
Vendor advises that dial backlighting can be intermitten
We are told that the wipers, windows and speedometer can be temperamental
The vendor has been told that this is likely to be an earthing issue

The Mechanics

‘Big Valve’ 1,558cc Lotus 4cyl engine
Twin Weber carburettors
4spd manual gearbox
Engine rebuilt in 2016 and has covered less than 2,000 miles since
Little used in recent times so would benefit from a service and tune up
Described by seller as a sound rolling project
He advises that some time and effort over winter would ready car for summer 2025
£2,000 work across mechanicals as detailed above since June 2020

The vendor tells us:

“It’s a Lotus Elan - it drives just as you'd expect and puts a smile on your face. I have done some lovely late summer evening runs which rate as some of the most enjoyable of my classic car owning journey.

“It is a cracking design - the colour shows off the shape of the car and a piece of motoring history in my view. I am glad to have owned it for the last few years.”

BEFORE YOU BUY

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