Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

I was 23 when I bought my S2 in '75

Roy
'65 S2

Anyone else getting the impression that the primary demographic for the Elan is folks who admired them when they were in current production, and either bought one or had to wait until the timing was right to buy one?

Sadly, I think that says a lot about the attitudes of the younger generation(s) about the role of automobiles in their lives.

Bought an S2 in 1969 age 22, had another 3 baby elans, 4 +2s and a Lotus Cortina, currently have a +2, it's 41 years since I first had one . They stay in the blood these lotus's.

29, 43 years ago if I can still do the math. Traded an MGB and a TR4A for 26/4912 when it was a year old in 1967. Planned on buying a new Elan but then the S3's came out with the fixed window frames and electric windows which disgusted me, so I went looking for a used S2. Now am 5 years into a restoration. Mechanical work complete, ran the engine before installing the body to check for leaks, etc. Old paint paint stripped off the body shell by soda blast. Body is now mounted on the frame and the whole thing is now in the body shop for repair of steel reinforcing around the door openings, repairing fiberglass, initial surface smoothing and two applications of an epoxy sealer. It will then come back to me to install all the bits and pieces before prime and finish coats. Target completion date --maybe next year.

Bob

I was 19, that was 28 years ago

The first Plus 2 I was 21 in 1981. Had it for two years then sold it. Worst bit of business I ever did.
Second Plus 2 I was 34, and that was 16 years ago, and I still have it.

Kind regards
Jeff

After some numpty in a Granada wrote off my beautiful GT6 mk3, I spent about 9 months driving a Singer Chamois and visited several dealers viewing +2s ( the o/d on the Triumph had spoilt me and I wanted 5 gears) One particular, black with metal flake roof really took my eye but I dithered and eventually decided it was too fancy.
I had loved the Elan since a boy, blame "The Avengers" and my pals Corgi model, and eventually viewed and test drove a metallic bronze/white Sprint (original colour??) at a specialist sports car dealer on the Great West Road under the flyover - anybody remember the name? - and was hooked. Took the AA inspector with me the next week, with money in my pocket ready to do the deal. Half way through our test drive one cylinder ceased firing and we spluttered back on 3. Despite the dealers best efforts during the next 45 mins. there was no improvement, so - No sale
Several months later, March 1981, at the age of 24 I purchased my 1972 Sprint. Bills dating back to 1974 show a bit of a "Friday afternoon car" history which may help to explain the variety of owners in its first 10 years. I am #5 or #6.

it seems like a lot of owners have "regrettably" sold their cars and have bought another lotus soon after.

Franco

Bought my +2 last year at the age of 61 as a rebuild project. Bought first ( only other) lotus in 1970 aged 22 a series 3 super 7 and still have it --have rebuilt that one 4 times!

Bob

I WAS 24 YEARS OF AGE IN 1982 WHEN I PURCHASED MY 1974 +2S FOR A VAST SUM OF ?3,450, STILL GOT IT AND STILL SMILING

23----------------------------------in 1970 when I bought my 68 December reg Elan +2, which I still own!

I guess I'm in the minority, 22 and 12 yrs ago. How many others on this list are younger than their elans?

scottlong1 wrote:I guess I'm in the minority, 22 and 12 yrs ago. How many others on this list are younger than their elans?

free-parking-f19/are-you-younger-than-your-elan-t14161.html

Paddy

Looks like 8 years younger doesn't take the prize....

Had the first one (a lovely Gold Leaf Sprint) in 1974 when I was a mere 19. (Sorry I just drifted off in to a lovely nostalgic dream )

I've had a few over the years, then a gap which was too long and have had my current car for 7 years.

I notice most of us seem to be old codgers