Highlights
- Comprehensive rebuild onto a new Spyder chassis
- MOT valid until August 2025 with no advisories
- 2L 16V Zetec engine and 5-spd manual box
- Very rare car with uprated Spyder performance and handling
- Long term current keeper since 2003
- Always maintained by Spyder since conversion
- Recent service, cambelt, suspension repairs and electric headlight conversion
The Appeal
Colin Chapman knew a thing or two about building great sports cars. He cherry-picked from suppliers and created what he couldn’t find.
We think he’d have approved of this Elan +2. It is one of the very rare and highly regarded Spyder conversions. These cars were re-engineered by Spyder Cars with uprated chassis and Ford running gear - the 16V Zetec 2L motor and 5spd MT75 gearbox. The result is a car that is quicker than the original and extremely reliable.
This car was converted some years ago and has been meticulously maintained by Spyder ever since. There are some recent bills for cambelt and suspension work, fitment of electric headlight system and of course regular servicing.
Finished in smart blue metallic with a black leather interior, it sits on smart Minilites and is in very good condition. It is an indication of the current keeper’s care that he has voluntarily MOT’d the car each year, even though this is not a legal requirement. That gives the buyer independent reassurance of condition - the current test runs to 26th August 2025 with no advisories.
The Elan +2 is a superb sports car. This one is, arguably, better specified now than how it left the factory and in great condition.
History and Paperwork
- Lotus Cars correspondence indicates the car was built and despatched in December 1972
- First registered 7th January 1972
- Only seven registered keepers from new
- Current keeper since September 2003
- Converted by Spyder Cars some years ago by the vendor
- Maintained by Spyder since with large quantity of invoices in photographs
- Recent MOT, although MOT exempt, with no advisories
- Current MOT test to 26th August 2025 with 8,554 miles on test
- Car was totally rebuilt onto a new Spyder chassis
- Vendor advises that mileage since conversion is about 15,000 miles
- Old tax disc from 2015
- Workshop manual
- Registered as a Historic Vehicle
- Still listed as fitted with Lotus twin cam on V5 which buyer may wish to update
- 2 sets of keys
- Vendor advises that the car was previously painted brown
- £2,201 spent at Spyder in June 2023 on suspension, cambelts and servicing
- Electric headlight conversion by Spyder in January 2024
The Condition
- Body repainted by a fibreglass specialist in metallic blue to good standard
- Paintwork presents well with some stone chips advised by seller
- Fibreglass bodywork in good order but due to age we recommend checking photos
- Fitted with an uprated Spyder Cars chassis
- Underside regularly wire brushed and treated by the owner
- No structural advisories on current MOT test
- Fitted with Minilites in fair condition with some light marks to note
- Quality Yokohama tyres in good order
- Well kept interior with extensive Burr Ash dashboard veneers which we understand to be recently fitted when the conversion was completed
- Lots of original features inside with light signs of wear to note in photographs
- Fitted with black leather MX5 seats and original rear ‘+2’ seats
- Clock and map light not connected to avoid battery drain
- Radio/CD under passenger dash
- Old radio fills original hole but not connected
The Mechanics
- Full Spyder conversion with uprated mechanicals and running gear
- 2litre Ford Zetec 16V engine fitted by Spyder
- 5spd manual MT75 Ford gearbox
- Limited slip differential
- Emerald ECU and LED headlights
- Uprated Spyder radiator
- Geared starter
- Spyder solid driveshafts
- Maintained by Spyder since conversion
- Lots of history with regular servicing and maintenance
- Cambelt replaced in June 2023
- No reported running or driving issues
- No mechanical or running gear advisories on current MOT
BEFORE YOU BUY
This sale is subject to the Car & Classic Terms and Conditions. By bidding and/or making an offer, you also agree to the following:
✓ The seller is registered as a private seller which means consumer rights stemming from EU consumer protection law do not come into effect. However, you are still covered by Car & Classic’s own Terms and Conditions..
✓ We request that a non-refundable fee be paid if you are the lucky winning bidder at auction or if your offer is accepted Please refer to our helpful FAQs and T&Cs for specific rates.
✓ This vehicle is “Sold As Seen”, on an “As Is Where Is’ basis and without warranty. Photos and descriptions are solely for guidance purposes and it's customary to carry out a full inspection of the vehicle prior to purchase for your own peace of mind.
✓ VAT is included in the buyer's deposit. VAT may or may not be included in the final bid or offer price, as specified in the listing.
✓ We want a smooth transaction just as much as you do and as such we run all UK-registered cars and motorbikes for sale on Car & Classic through an online HPI check to verify that they show no insurance database markers for damage or theft, and have no finance owing, allowing you to bid with confidence.
✓ We also check whether vehicles are recorded as being written off as part of an insurance total loss claim at the time an advert is placed on Car & Classic and we helpfully provide write-off category labels (Cat C/D/S/N) for your assistance. However, the presence or absence of a label does not guarantee the vehicle’s status and it is always worthwhile carrying out your own full vehicle history check before making an offer on a vehicle.
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or delivery. Importing vehicles may result in additional customs duties and import taxes so it’s worth checking beforehand.. If requested, we may refer you to a third-party shipping company who can help. For more details and to speak to the team, email auctions@carandclassic.com
