Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

It started in the early ?70s. My first job in the car industry was as a mechanic at a Lotus/TVR dealer in New Jersey, Tom?s Pit Stop. It was a wonderful place. That experience sealed me to a lifetime addiction to cracked fiberglass. I?m 64 now and have been fortunate to own, maintain and enjoy just about every Lotus model I desired. I built one of the last ?7? Series 4 kits from the factory. I restored an Elan, had a Lotus Cortina as a daily driver, owned a Europa Twin Cam and, most recently, an Esprit Turbo. I sold the Esprit Turbo in the spring with the thoughts of finding my last remaining Lotus fix, an Elan +2S. I thought finding a decent Esprit was tough this search has been brutal. To date I have found 3 engine less cars dumped in a field because the engine/gearbox was worth more than the car and several butchered examples that owners dumped on used car dealers hoping to escape the guilt.

I just want an unmolested relatively truthful example. I?m willing to crack open the piggy bank for the right car. Thanks for all your help, I?m in the states and need a left hand drive model.

englishcarguy

Welcome.

Good luck with your search, as you've noticed they are pretty thin on the ground on this side of the pond. Especially in decent driver condition. Just have to play the long game.

Welcome!

As a new +2 (non-S) owner, I've got my fingers crossed for you!

I would suggest not focusing on the S, as there are only trim differences.

+2s were so unloved few put money into them, like S2 Europas

There are a few out there, keep an eye

not the nicest

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lotus-Other-2-P ... 1708174224

There's a blue one on eBay right now.

I love eBay. But it's good to be wary of dealers selling "restored" cars of any kind there, especially when they evidence ample use of black spray paint on the undercarriage...

I saw the blue one on eBay and thought about it but it has some major issues. I don't want a sunroof and inside and outside trim is missing which I'll never find.

Thanks for all your input.

Scott
englishcarguy

Have to agree with you, Scott. A lot of interior pieces missing, goofed up center console, and then there are the missing bright pieces outside: sill trim strip, rain gutter trim, mustache trim pieces.

When you want a correct car, the absence of those pieces and the search for them could drive you to despair

Keep looking.

You might consider contacting people on the Plus 2 registry. See what they say.

Randy

just sent a PM with some info.

Those wheels are ugly too.

i should probably consider offering you my +2S. I've had it since 1984. It is a home market car, probably the last one built in 1969, RHD, 3 ear KO hubs, chrome and black wheels and adjustable recliner seats. After running it for about a year,Oct '86,It was backed into in a parking situation. Since I had started restoration of a Lotus Eleven, I put the +2 into storage and it has remained that way since. I have procured a kit of parts to convert it to LHD, but it will require a complete body off rebuild to be as nice as I want it to be. Send me a PM if interested.

Roger