1970 Lotus Elan Plus 2 Spyder Zetec

[Frazer Douglas]

Hello all, it's now looking likely I'll have to sell my 1970 Lotus Elan Plus 2 Spyder Zetec.

Here are the details. If you require any more info or photos please message me.

PSS 82H is a 1970 Lotus Elan Plus 2 Spyder Zetec conversion. The build started in 2006 and work continued until completion in 2013. In 2014 it was sold to the previous owner who then used it on his daily commute. I have owned the car since July 2021. 

The original Zetec engine used in the build was replaced with one personally owned by Sean, the owner of Spyder Cars, after 4000 miles. The speedo was set to this. This new engine has now done 37k.
It has a Zetec E engine (Silvertop) - with the stronger valve springs than in the later Zetec E blacktop Zetecs, apparently. It has ARP bolts, gas flowed head and the uprated cams. The engine was last rolling road tuned by Track & Road and produced in the region of 195bhp. It's a fast car by any standard but like all Spyder's cars perfectly usable in traffic and for the commute also. 

Only the best Ester Synthetic Engine Oils (like Fuchs Titan Race Pro S) have been used and the oil and filter changed every 5000 miles.

During the build all the interior was freshly retrimmed in black leather with perforated panels and the car was resprayed in a vibrant metallic red. I wasn't looking for a red car but bought the car on condition and spec, and immediately fell in love with the colour, it does look fantastic.

The interior and dash remain in excellent condition.

The car has the Spyder CV joint drive shafts and Ford LSD. The LSD was rebuilt recently, all diff mounts replaced including Spyder Cars upgraded poly mount (I have receipts). 2 new wheel bearings and 2 new adjustable shocks also fitted at the rear in 2020/21.

The car has an alloy fuel tank and upgraded associated filler and vent pipes with ethanol compatible hoses and a pressurised fuel tank breather valve.

The wheels on the car now are Ford steels that I had professionally powder coated last year to replicate the look of the original Lotus rims. The car also comes with a set of Minilites that the P.O had professionally resprayed in gold - which also look fantastic against the red paint. 

During the P.O's ownership he replaced and upgraded numerous parts. The list is too long to write but if there is anything specific you want to know then please ask, I have receipts for everything. Spydercars have serviced the car but more recently a Lotus Specialist called Lakeside Engineering. Tim at Lakeside knows this car very well.

Regularly serviced - air filter annually, oil & filter every 5k and plugs and coolant every couple of years. Water pump and cambelt were both also done just over a year ago.

Diff rebuilt by Hardy Engineering, front bushes done, rear shocks and springs done at end of last year. New manifold and alternator also last year. 

While the car has certainly picked up a few marks and stone chips the other side of the coin is that this car has been maintained to a high standard. The car has benefited from constant use, constant maintenance and improvements. I am a firm believer that cars need to be used and a classic car that has not been used regularly will always throw up problems.

So it isn't blemish free but it is certainly a very presentable and very well sorted example. The paintwork has some micro blisters (particularly in winter), there are some small star cracks to the paintwork in a couple of locations and stone chips to front end. I expect a good stone chip expert could work wonders on the paint. It still manages to stop people in their tracks and receives compliments wherever it goes.

Specification
- 2.0 Zetec TwinCam Engine
- CTM Gas Flowed Cylinder Head
- Raceline 285 duration Cams
- 5 Speed MT75 Box
- Jenvey Throttle Bodies
- Green Air Filter
- Emerald ECU
- Rolling Road Setup by Track n' Road
- 195 BHP @ 7500rpm
- Spyder Chassis
- Uprated CV Driveshafts
- Coilovers with Adjustable Ride Height & Damping
- Wosp High Torque Starter Motor
- Stainless 'Edwards Motorsport' Exhaust
- 4Point Harnesses in the rear for the children
Approx 850kg
Additional work done between 2014 and 2022: 
Bulbs (incl. LED upgrades)
Painted Minilite wheels
Brakes and tyres as necessary
New rear brake caliper
Upgraded cable clutch to hydraulic
New engine
Water pump
Cam belt and accessory belt as necessary
Rolling road tuned
New engine mounts
New suspension bushes at front
New track rod ends
New steering rack
New coolant and oil pressure gauges (original Smith's items still available)
Upgraded gear lever isolation and shortened lever
New diff mounts and rebuilt diff
New rear coilovers
New fuel breather system
Improved fuel filler
Stainless steel exhaust from mid section back
New wiper motor
New engine fan
New (3 core I think) radiator
Upgraded fan wiring so now switched by low current relay
Upgraded engine oil breather system and fitted catch tank
New coil pack (2021)
New alternator (2021)
Full wheel alignment performed by Spydercars (2021)
New fan switch (2022)
Recently fitted bullet door mirrors (others included as per photos)

All fluids regularly changed, air filter cleaned and grease points topped up.

Regularly serviced - air filter annually, oil & filter every 5k and plugs and coolant every couple of years. Water pump and cambelt were both also done just over a year ago.

I really didn't plan to sell her but the reality is that I have to to complete another car project that has encountered problems.

There are two sets of seats: firstly the originals that would come with the car, then the modern bucket seats that are in the car now that are worth about £400. 

I'm looking for around £24,950.

As I say, there are receipts for everything since about 2006.

All the best, 
Frazer 

[Slowtus]

if it was on my side of the pond, I would standing on your doorstep with a bag full of money and driving away giggling a short while thereafter.

[berni29]

Hi Frazer

Looks like a great car, very tastefully done. Best of luck with the sale!

I am building a similar car and have the same style Ford steel wheels on mine. I also thought they looked similar to the originals. I was considering having the centres painted black and the rims chromed. May I ask please, are your wheels 14" or 15" and do you know the offsets?

Many thanks again..... Berni

[elanfan1]

Fraser,

I think a location would probably assist your sale.

[Frazer Douglas]

The car is located near Hitchin in Hertfordshire.

[Frazer Douglas]

Hi Frazer

Looks like a great car, very tastefully done. Best of luck with the sale!

I am building a similar car and have the same style Ford steel wheels on mine. I also thought they looked similar to the originals. I was considering having the centres painted black and the rims chromed. May I ask please, are your wheels 14" or 15" and do you know the offsets?

Many thanks again..... Berni

Hi Berni, the rims are 6 x14 4x108 and I fitted 20mm Pumaspeed spacers to correct the offset. Afterwards I then had the wheel alignment done at Spydercars. Hope this helps with yours and good luck with your project.

[Frazer Douglas]

Some more photos...

[alaric]

Hey that's a Dolly Sprint in the background! Cool. Nearly had my first crash in one of those. It was quite heavily modified. I wasn't used to what happens on a bend with rear wheel drive, power and a wet road. We bounced along the verge, collecting lots of turf in the front sub frame, and just popped back onto the road. Great car though. It taught me a good lesson. I have a keinzle clock that I think was from that car.

I love the Spyder +2. The classic styling with modern technology. Brilliant.

Sean.

[Frazer Douglas]

This car is now sold. Thanks to all who showed interest.

[philipe]

I am also thinking of selling my plus 2 Spyder Zetec in UK. Could you advise best place to advertise as note your car is now sold. Thanks

[alaric]

Hi. I think this forum is a good place to start. It's free, and you'll likely get feedback quite quickly.

Sean.