+2 history

PostPost by: davidallen » Mon Feb 14, 2005 1:31 pm

I wonder if someone can answer a question about my +2 which has been
puzzling me since I brought the car.

The car is an early +2. This is confirmed by the 2 fuse wiring, toggle
switches, non collapsible steering column etc. However the log book
describes it as a +2s. I have always taken this an error by the original
agent/DVLC but under several layers of paint at the rear of the car I found
the location holes on either side for a badge, right where the "S" badges
are located.

Now, I have mentioned before the car was originally destined for the US, but
for some reason was sold in the UK. When I brought it , the original
reflectors on each corner were still fitted, and it did once have Strombergs
and high backed seats

So, is the car a hybrid? Were the original +2's sold in the States marketed
as "S" but based on the earlier model or were badges added by one of the
many previous owner?

Perhaps I should call time team!

David
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PostPost by: "e s" » Mon Feb 14, 2005 4:20 pm

They stopped making no S +2s in early 1970 , ch no 2400 IIRC. What is your chassis number?

Does it have the soft console and extra gauges?


----- Original Message -----
From: "ALLEN, David" <***@***.***>
To: ***@***.***
Subject: [LotusElan.net] +2 history
Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 13:31:31 -0000


--
_______________________________________________

"e s"
 

PostPost by: davidallen » Mon Feb 14, 2005 4:33 pm

Mine is 2192 and was sold late 1969. It does not have the extra gauges but
it does have the soft console. However, I suspect this is a later addition.

Did they manufacture the 2 and 2S at the same time? I have seen +2's on ebay
with regs older than mine

David

-----Original Message-----
From: e s [mailto:***@***.***
Sent: 14 February 2005 16:18
To: ***@***.***
Subject: Re: [LotusElan.net] +2 history



They stopped making no S +2s in early 1970 , ch no 2400 IIRC. What is your
chassis number?

Does it have the soft console and extra gauges?


----- Original Message -----
From: "ALLEN, David" <***@***.***>
To: ***@***.***
Subject: [LotusElan.net] +2 history
Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 13:31:31 -0000






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PostPost by: Frank Howard » Mon Feb 14, 2005 4:49 pm

David,

We were told a story at LOG 22 that there was a time that +2's bound for the
States were piling up for lack of demand. As the cars leaked rain in and
there were no drain holes provided in the floors, the interiors were filling up
with water and the carpets were getting a bit skunky. This gentelman was told
that he and some other Lotus employees should strip the interiors, convert them
to RH steering, and swap the Stromberg heads and bonnets for Weber heads and
bonnets etc. so they could be sold at home. Perhaps you have one of these
cars.

Frank Howard
'71 S4 SE
Minnesota
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PostPost by: davidallen » Mon Feb 14, 2005 4:58 pm

Yes, I believe I have, except it still had the Stromberg head until mid
'90's when it was swapped for Delorto's and it still has the original
bonnet.

However, why is it listed in the log book as a +2S and what were the badges
on the rear wings?

David (+2 ish)

-----Original Message-----
From: ***@***.***lto:***@***.***
Sent: 14 February 2005 16:50
To: ***@***.***; ***@***.***
Subject: Re: [LotusElan.net] +2 history



David,

We were told a story at LOG 22 that there was a time that +2's bound for the

States were piling up for lack of demand. As the cars leaked rain in and
there were no drain holes provided in the floors, the interiors were filling
up
with water and the carpets were getting a bit skunky. This gentelman was
told
that he and some other Lotus employees should strip the interiors, convert
them
to RH steering, and swap the Stromberg heads and bonnets for Weber heads and

bonnets etc. so they could be sold at home. Perhaps you have one of these
cars.

Frank Howard
'71 S4 SE
Minnesota











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PostPost by: "e s" » Mon Feb 14, 2005 5:39 pm

If it does not have the extra gauges, it simply isn't an S, that is the only substantive difference in the car. They absolutely made them at the same time at that time period, probably listed as 12/69? same as some 300+ VIN span [yeah, that happened]
I would put this as 'clerical error'



----- Original Message -----
From: "ALLEN, David" <***@***.***>
To: ***@***.***
Subject: RE: [LotusElan.net] +2 history
Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 16:32:23 -0000


--
_______________________________________________

"e s"
 

PostPost by: zuckerlowe » Tue Feb 15, 2005 7:50 am

Hi David,
I have an early +2 but with 'S' trim etc. fitted by a previous
owner, I believe one of the most telling feature may be the lack of
fog/driving light recesses in the front apron. All (as far as I know)
+2S models had these lights, where as the +2's didn't. The 'S' models
also had more electrical equipment so you may find, that like my car
the wiring loom has been butchered to add the +2S dash.
Despite being an early car mine has the Stromberg bonnet but has
always had the Webber head. A look at similar aged cars at shows
seems to indicate that some have the nice flat bonnet and some have
the Stromberg one, all though all the cars I've looked at had Webber
heads.

Cheers
Steve
(1968 +2

--- In ***@***.***, "ALLEN, David" <david.allen@e...>
wrote:










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PostPost by: davidallen » Tue Feb 15, 2005 8:56 am

As I said originally, the car is not an S. What puzzled me is the log book
description and the badges. I am also trying to learn a bit more about the
history of the car and +2's in general. Now, in the workshop manual there is
a diagram of the "Federal" spec dash, which has four small gauges like the
original +2 but rocker switches like the "S", including hazard warning
lights

Did the "Federal" +2 predate the UK spec "S" and what other differences
where there. Was the original UK spec car with toggle switches never
imported into the States? Would anyone know over what period it was
manufactured and /or serial numbers? I am working on the theory my car was
originally a "federal" spec before being switched back to UK.

David


-----Original Message-----
From: zuckerlowe [mailto:***@***.***
Sent: 15 February 2005 07:51
To: ***@***.***
Subject: Re: [LotusElan.net] +2 history




Hi David,
I have an early +2 but with 'S' trim etc. fitted by a previous
owner, I believe one of the most telling feature may be the lack of
fog/driving light recesses in the front apron. All (as far as I know)
+2S models had these lights, where as the +2's didn't. The 'S' models
also had more electrical equipment so you may find, that like my car
the wiring loom has been butchered to add the +2S dash.
Despite being an early car mine has the Stromberg bonnet but has
always had the Webber head. A look at similar aged cars at shows
seems to indicate that some have the nice flat bonnet and some have
the Stromberg one, all though all the cars I've looked at had Webber
heads.

Cheers
Steve
(1968 +2

--- In ***@***.***, "ALLEN, David" <david.allen@e...>
wrote:
























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Joined: 11 Aug 2005

PostPost by: EMA7K » Tue Feb 15, 2005 9:06 am

Have you asked Mike Pomfret at lotus cars about the history of your car
yet????
He should be able to tell you all you need to know....
Cheers
G
Ps his email is ***@***.***

-----Original Message-----
From: ALLEN, David [mailto:***@***.***
Sent: 15 February 2005 08:56
To: ***@***.***
Subject: RE: [LotusElan.net] +2 history



As I said originally, the car is not an S. What puzzled me is the log
book description and the badges. I am also trying to learn a bit more
about the history of the car and +2's in general. Now, in the workshop
manual there is a diagram of the "Federal" spec dash, which has four
small gauges like the original +2 but rocker switches like the "S",
including hazard warning lights

Did the "Federal" +2 predate the UK spec "S" and what other differences
where there. Was the original UK spec car with toggle switches never
imported into the States? Would anyone know over what period it was
manufactured and /or serial numbers? I am working on the theory my car
was originally a "federal" spec before being switched back to UK.

David


-----Original Message-----
From: zuckerlowe [mailto:***@***.***
Sent: 15 February 2005 07:51
To: ***@***.***
Subject: Re: [LotusElan.net] +2 history




Hi David,
I have an early +2 but with 'S' trim etc. fitted by a previous
owner, I believe one of the most telling feature may be the lack of
fog/driving light recesses in the front apron. All (as far as I know)
+2S models had these lights, where as the +2's didn't. The 'S' models
also had more electrical equipment so you may find, that like my car
the wiring loom has been butchered to add the +2S dash.
Despite being an early car mine has the Stromberg bonnet but has
always had the Webber head. A look at similar aged cars at shows
seems to indicate that some have the nice flat bonnet and some have
the Stromberg one, all though all the cars I've looked at had Webber
heads.

Cheers
Steve
(1968 +2

--- In ***@***.***, "ALLEN, David" <david.allen@e...>
wrote:






















CopyrightC LotusElan.net and the author:

















CopyrightC LotusElan.net and the author:

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PostPost by: M100 » Tue Feb 15, 2005 9:55 am

On Tue, 15 Feb 2005 09:06:01 -0000, "Gareth Flanagan"
<***@***.***> wrote:


Last I head was that Mike had left (retired?) from Lotus and that
enquiries such as this should (for some obscure reason) be directed
to: ***@***.***e the mail to Mike is redirected
anyway.


Martin

72/45
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PostPost by: davidallen » Tue Feb 15, 2005 10:00 am

Yes, and he was most helpful, but could only tell me the sale date (1969)
and the colour (red).

David



-----Original Message-----
From: Gareth Flanagan [mailto:***@***.***
Sent: 15 February 2005 09:06
To: ***@***.***
Subject: RE: [LotusElan.net] +2 history



Have you asked Mike Pomfret at lotus cars about the history of your car
yet????
He should be able to tell you all you need to know....
Cheers
G
Ps his email is ***@***.***

-----Original Message-----
From: ALLEN, David [mailto:***@***.***
Sent: 15 February 2005 08:56
To: ***@***.***
Subject: RE: [LotusElan.net] +2 history



As I said originally, the car is not an S. What puzzled me is the log
book description and the badges. I am also trying to learn a bit more
about the history of the car and +2's in general. Now, in the workshop
manual there is a diagram of the "Federal" spec dash, which has four
small gauges like the original +2 but rocker switches like the "S",
including hazard warning lights

Did the "Federal" +2 predate the UK spec "S" and what other differences
where there. Was the original UK spec car with toggle switches never
imported into the States? Would anyone know over what period it was
manufactured and /or serial numbers? I am working on the theory my car
was originally a "federal" spec before being switched back to UK.

David


-----Original Message-----
From: zuckerlowe [mailto:***@***.***
Sent: 15 February 2005 07:51
To: ***@***.***
Subject: Re: [LotusElan.net] +2 history




Hi David,
I have an early +2 but with 'S' trim etc. fitted by a previous
owner, I believe one of the most telling feature may be the lack of
fog/driving light recesses in the front apron. All (as far as I know)
+2S models had these lights, where as the +2's didn't. The 'S' models
also had more electrical equipment so you may find, that like my car
the wiring loom has been butchered to add the +2S dash.
Despite being an early car mine has the Stromberg bonnet but has
always had the Webber head. A look at similar aged cars at shows
seems to indicate that some have the nice flat bonnet and some have
the Stromberg one, all though all the cars I've looked at had Webber
heads.

Cheers
Steve
(1968 +2

--- In ***@***.***, "ALLEN, David" <david.allen@e...>
wrote:






















CopyrightC LotusElan.net and the author:

















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PostPost by: EMA7K » Tue Feb 15, 2005 10:09 am

Was he not able to tell you the location of the sale (ie the original
supplier) and the person who bought it?
If not I would go for one of these federal cars...or what about one that
was supplied in kit form....the early ones were still supplied in kit
form.....dont know when that stopped but if it was a +2 that sat waiting
to be put together when they released the +2s the guy who was building
the kit may have tried to give it an upgrade!!!
Just a thought
Cheers
G

-----Original Message-----
From: ALLEN, David [mailto:***@***.***
Sent: 15 February 2005 10:00
To: ***@***.***
Subject: RE: [LotusElan.net] +2 history



Yes, and he was most helpful, but could only tell me the sale date
(1969) and the colour (red).

David



-----Original Message-----
From: Gareth Flanagan [mailto:***@***.***
Sent: 15 February 2005 09:06
To: ***@***.***
Subject: RE: [LotusElan.net] +2 history



Have you asked Mike Pomfret at lotus cars about the history of your car
yet???? He should be able to tell you all you need to know.... Cheers G
Ps his email is ***@***.***

-----Original Message-----
From: ALLEN, David [mailto:***@***.***
Sent: 15 February 2005 08:56
To: ***@***.***
Subject: RE: [LotusElan.net] +2 history



As I said originally, the car is not an S. What puzzled me is the log
book description and the badges. I am also trying to learn a bit more
about the history of the car and +2's in general. Now, in the workshop
manual there is a diagram of the "Federal" spec dash, which has four
small gauges like the original +2 but rocker switches like the "S",
including hazard warning lights

Did the "Federal" +2 predate the UK spec "S" and what other differences
where there. Was the original UK spec car with toggle switches never
imported into the States? Would anyone know over what period it was
manufactured and /or serial numbers? I am working on the theory my car
was originally a "federal" spec before being switched back to UK.

David


-----Original Message-----
From: zuckerlowe [mailto:***@***.***
Sent: 15 February 2005 07:51
To: ***@***.***
Subject: Re: [LotusElan.net] +2 history




Hi David,
I have an early +2 but with 'S' trim etc. fitted by a previous
owner, I believe one of the most telling feature may be the lack of
fog/driving light recesses in the front apron. All (as far as I know)
+2S models had these lights, where as the +2's didn't. The 'S' models
also had more electrical equipment so you may find, that like my car
the wiring loom has been butchered to add the +2S dash.
Despite being an early car mine has the Stromberg bonnet but has
always had the Webber head. A look at similar aged cars at shows
seems to indicate that some have the nice flat bonnet and some have
the Stromberg one, all though all the cars I've looked at had Webber
heads.

Cheers
Steve
(1968 +2

--- In ***@***.***, "ALLEN, David" <david.allen@e...>
wrote:






















CopyrightC LotusElan.net and the author:

















CopyrightC LotusElan.net and the author:



















CopyrightC LotusElan.net and the author:

















CopyrightC LotusElan.net and the author:

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PostPost by: davidallen » Tue Feb 15, 2005 1:13 pm

I have some more info concerning my car which someone in the states may be
able to confirm?

I have discovered an interesting site

http://www.geocities.com/trevorsparrow/ ... meline.htm

which shows the development history of the +2 including the Federal models.
My car, 2192, would have been manufactured towards the end of the original
federal car car run but after the original UK +2's.

David

-----Original Message-----
From: ALLEN, David [mailto:***@***.***
Sent: 15 February 2005 08:56
To: ***@***.***
Subject: RE: [LotusElan.net] +2 history



As I said originally, the car is not an S. What puzzled me is the log book
description and the badges. I am also trying to learn a bit more about the
history of the car and +2's in general. Now, in the workshop manual there is
a diagram of the "Federal" spec dash, which has four small gauges like the
original +2 but rocker switches like the "S", including hazard warning
lights

Did the "Federal" +2 predate the UK spec "S" and what other differences
where there. Was the original UK spec car with toggle switches never
imported into the States? Would anyone know over what period it was
manufactured and /or serial numbers? I am working on the theory my car was
originally a "federal" spec before being switched back to UK.

David


-----Original Message-----
From: zuckerlowe [mailto:***@***.***
Sent: 15 February 2005 07:51
To: ***@***.***
Subject: Re: [LotusElan.net] +2 history




Hi David,
I have an early +2 but with 'S' trim etc. fitted by a previous
owner, I believe one of the most telling feature may be the lack of
fog/driving light recesses in the front apron. All (as far as I know)
+2S models had these lights, where as the +2's didn't. The 'S' models
also had more electrical equipment so you may find, that like my car
the wiring loom has been butchered to add the +2S dash.
Despite being an early car mine has the Stromberg bonnet but has
always had the Webber head. A look at similar aged cars at shows
seems to indicate that some have the nice flat bonnet and some have
the Stromberg one, all though all the cars I've looked at had Webber
heads.

Cheers
Steve
(1968 +2

--- In ***@***.***, "ALLEN, David" <david.allen@e...>
wrote:










































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PostPost by: twincamracing » Tue Feb 15, 2005 1:51 pm



federal law precluded the use of such hazardous items as eared knock
ons and toggle switches, low seat backs, lights that illuminate the
road...

federal cars came with spec seatbelts, safety glass windows, side
marker lights, solid red rear lights, sealed beam headlamps, high back
seats (folding rear seat back was quickly dispensed with and became
fixed in '70) stromberg head, dual brake servos

far as i know federal cars were only built for a couple months before
changing numbering system (mine is marked 70/02/04/0015N)

scott



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PostPost by: EMA7K » Wed Feb 16, 2005 12:05 pm

David
Just had a thought.......which exhaust do you have???
If it's the car with the transverse silencer then it's a +2 if it's a
'straight through' like the sprint with the exhaust pipe exiting the car
centrally then I believe it to be a +2s.......
Or at least I'd heard that only the early +2 had the transverse silencer
Cheers
G

-----Original Message-----
From: ALLEN, David [mailto:***@***.***
Sent: 14 February 2005 13:32
To: ***@***.***
Subject: [LotusElan.net] +2 history



I wonder if someone can answer a question about my +2 which has been
puzzling me since I brought the car.

The car is an early +2. This is confirmed by the 2 fuse wiring, toggle
switches, non collapsible steering column etc. However the log book
describes it as a +2s. I have always taken this an error by the original
agent/DVLC but under several layers of paint at the rear of the car I
found the location holes on either side for a badge, right where the "S"
badges are located.

Now, I have mentioned before the car was originally destined for the US,
but for some reason was sold in the UK. When I brought it , the original
reflectors on each corner were still fitted, and it did once have
Strombergs and high backed seats

So, is the car a hybrid? Were the original +2's sold in the States
marketed as "S" but based on the earlier model or were badges added by
one of the many previous owner?

Perhaps I should call time team!

David









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