+2 history

[davidallen]

Yes, looking at the workshop manual last night, the later design of locks
were introduced on the non "s" after serial numbers 856 (fed) and 928 (row)

David

-----Original Message-----
From: e s [mailto:***@***.***
Sent: 16 February 2005 16:09
To: ***@***.***
Subject: RE: [LotusElan.net] +2 history



None of this is true. early cars with differeent locks and transverse
silencer are just early cars. The straight silencer does NOT mean it is an
'S'

The S consists of the following:

Clock, voltmeter, ambient temp gauge
padded console and different rear seats
padded under dash trim
extra lights or reflectors in doors.
different headliner material

I may have missed something, but that is about it.

An early +2[67 68] is just that.
The last non S +2 was supposed to be 50/2400, 1 1/2 years after the silencer
change
There were claimed to be some gawdawful number of 2s built in 12/69 [I have
seen tags hundreds of numbers apart] My guess is that it had to do with
federal regs effective 1/1970 and that a lot of tags were made in 12/69


----- Original Message -----
From: "Gareth Flanagan" <***@***.***>
To: ***@***.***
Subject: RE: [LotusElan.net] +2 history
Date: Wed, 16 Feb 2005 12:36:56 -0000


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[davidallen]

Thanks for all the info on Early +2's!

I am 99% certain my car is an ex fed non S +2 which was converted back to UK
non S spec. For what ever reason the dual circuit brakes and collapable
steering column were binned but left the fail safe lights, corner reflectors
and high back seats!

Part of the confusion has been the original +2 changed during it's
manufacture period, and the fed +2, which was manufactured at the same time,
used a lot of the parts from the later S. Then there is my car, which is a
hydrid of the two!

Just why the car is described as an "S" in the log book, or what the badges
were on the rear wing I guess will never be known.

David

-----Original Message-----
From: timrw99 [mailto:***@***.***
Sent: 16 February 2005 14:00
To: ***@***.***
Subject: Re: [LotusElan.net] +2 history




I have done some digging around in my stock of Lotus information and
come up with the following, in the hope that it may be helpful.

1967
June - Type 50 +2 announced
August -Production started at then new Hethel factory
September - Autocar in UK road test and specification of new +2

1968
January - US safety laws introduced, all Elans sent to States were
Special Equipment models. Road & Track technical analysis of +2 in UK
March - Stromberg emission engines fitted to US models with bonnet
bulge
July - Last of the pre-emission engined Elans sold in US
November - First European S4 and +2 Elans (chassis no. 50/1280)
receive Strombergs when the factory had used most of their stocks of
Webers

1969
January - +2 qualified to go on sale in US
March - +2S (chassis no. 50/1554) announced in UK, included more
instruments, more sound proofing and foglights as standard. Only
available fully assembled
July - Sports Car Graphic test +2 in US, (having tested one in UK in
November 1967) shows lights on rear flanks, closer to bumper than
badge on UK models
July - +2S production started
August - Road Test of +2 in US shows twin servos and Stromberg
emission equipment clearly
December - Standard +2 discontinued (chassis no. 50/2407). Approx
1600 built since launch. Final +2S old number chassis 50/2526.

1970
April - Autosport in UK road test +2S, shows badges on both rear
flanks, extra instruments and rocker switches
October - Alternator fitted, cooling and exhaust silencer systems
improved, Phillips radio fitted as standard

1971
February - Introduction of +2S 130 in UK. For a while, the US cars
remained fitted with the 115 bhp engine, until the Strombergs were
modified to pass more air. Silver roof on all +2S 130's. Autocar
in
UK test +2S 130

1974
December - Discontinued. Approx 3000 built since March 1969

Back to work now!

Tim

[Gordon Sauer]

Don't you think the chassis numbers ran within the codes used for country
designation--mine is a '72 +2S/130 but number 0306Nwhich numerically is prior to
yours--hence, my thought that within "N" there was a separate numbering
system. The N fits the manual regarding "export, Elan+2S Type Federal" which mine
is. By the way, the manual shows the single door handles up to 0928 and the
handle/lock-separate after 0928--mine has separate handle/lock. Gordon Sauer

[davidcroft]

I don't think there's a mystery re: the badges - my early (late
70) 'S' has got some commemorative 'World Champion' badges on the
back wing.

D

["e s"]

the numbering system changed on 1/1/1970, where the vin ws no longer the chassis number. So the numbering system only works up to a point. All the numbers being referred to are those in the format 50/xxxx, yours is really something like 50/2720 or something
----- Original Message -----
From: ***@***.***
To: ***@***.***
Subject: Re: [LotusElan.net] +2 history
Date: Fri, 18 Feb 2005 01:37:29 EST


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