Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

I bought my first in 1971, a new Plus 2 when I was 22 yo and just out of the service. At the time I also had a 53 MGTD that I had restored while in college. Sold the Lotus in about 1978 for a Datsun 260Z. Bought my current 72 Plus 2 in about '81 which I still have in addition to a '72 Sprint and a full race '62 Elan that we ran in SCCA until 2001. Still have the latest 3, love them all.

Bought S4 at age 36 to replace a Kawasaki ZX9R three years ago.

I was 23 and that was 34 1/2 years ago when I got the Elan

cheers
Rohan

26/4597 was purchased on March 20, 1976, I was 22 and a month. I bought it with money I received from the insurance after loosing my left leg in a Jeep accident. I still have it and many other Lotus cars, I have sold several but most are still dig (dead in garage) or dit (dead in trailer). There is not much left that is original in 26/4597 but most of the bits are still around and in my possession. I still hope to get several others running and driving in the future. It may happen if I am able to get motivated again and get off of my lazy butt.

Other info on the wrecks posted
elan-photos-f18/lotus-cars-that-have-owned-previously-own-now-t18728.html

I talked with a number of folks at the LOG and my situation seems to be somewhat normal (everything is relative I guess) but I am a bit late to the ownership game and I am just a youngster by comparison to some.

I was 30 when I purchased my +2 some 35 years ago.

Still own the car and still restoring it.

41 went on holiday to Jersey with wife & 3 Kids, came back with wife 3 kids & a Plus 2S 130 ( non runner ) love at 1st sight sold it 7 years later as tight on cash..... regretted it straight away. Bought 2nd one just over a year ago at 51 ....I persuaded my better half that it would be an investment, she believed me! so we used the cash put to one side for my daughters weddings. I have recently told them that getting wed is now out of the question, and that they will have to live "overt'brush" as we say in Yorkshire.

I bought an Elan S3 FHC for ?785 in 1976, a couple of weeks before my 18th birthday, and a month before passing my driving test! Once I had my license I set about arranging insurance, armed with the Exchange & Mart. This was full of "we cover any risk" type companies in the back pages, but it took a long time to find one mad enough to insure me (one laughed down the phone at me, another said "call back when you are 30!")
I paid ?99 per quarter for third party fire and theft. Now, after a 25 year gap in Lotus ownership, I pay ?140 per year for comprehensive cover on my Sprint. The benefit of getting old (car and owner)............

Hi
47 and bought my plus2 as a project 20 years ago, hopefully back on the road some time next year

Chris.

I was 16 with a fresh driver's license when my father bought the Elan - that was 1967. Although not titled to me then, it was my first car, first and only Lotus. Some day I will dig out the old photos from those years and scan them.

I was 30, that was 227 days and one hour ago. Can't wait to drive it!

Steve G wrote:I was 30, that was 227 days and one hour ago. Can't wait to drive it!

i thought i was the youngest owner! damn you

most of my friends around my age drive around in classics and we get so much respect for it. more attention too

Almost bought a Mk 1 Lotus Cortina "back in the day" as a first car, but finances prevailed and went with a '63 MG Midget from the Lotus mechanic instead. Finally got my Plus 2 about three years ago at 56. Interesting how many folks have such a long term relationship with the marque.

I had a LC 1st around 1968. Then a few cars before my 1st +2 around 1973. I was 26 then..

I sold the +2 and bought an eeemmmm MG.... errr B. Awful! The +2s130 was around 1976. Sold around 1980 ish and I took to the air.

How time flies eh?

Alex....

I was 43 when I bought mine which is 2 months younger than me. That was 18months ago. Kind of nice to have a car the same age as me - we both feel younger than we are of course...

actually take that back the elan is 2 months older than me...