Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Hello all,

I might about to commit further financial suicide and buy another Lotus. Purists look away now, but I have had a M100 before and I now want a +2, but I want the aftermarket convertible. It is one of the few convertibles available with small back seats for occasional use (the other was an alfa spider S2). It also has the advantage over the coupe that it is easier to get in and out of!

I had the options of buying an all original +2 coupe and keeping it that way, but it will be a car for using not showing. Do I want to keep points? No, so that is a sensible upgrade. So would be an alloy rad and fuel tank, and cv joints, silicone hoses and nylon bushes. I can justify this to myself in that ACBC would have done these mods to his own car I am pretty certain. By starting with a convertible it has already been modded in the biggest way, so the practical bits to the drivetrain will only improve things.

Outside of cars my other passion is watches, and I am a mod on a watch forum (so naturally I read the rules here before posting)

Now to find the rarer version of an already scarce car in the UK

Have you thought about an BMW E30 cabriolet ?
That drives very well, is available in different states of engine power (316 up to M3), no need for mod's, as it is a very well enginered car (for a 80's car). Not pricey and parts availability good.

Back in the 00's I had been looking for a +2, but as there is a legal obligation to carry a booster or child seat for a child, I had to pass. No seat or booster was ever to fit there.

Thanks @gherlt,

Yes, I considered the 325 and the Saab 900 convertibles. I used to be a BMW technician, and the e30 is a better built car than the e36 by far. But they are just not 'special' enough. And my kids are just right now - out of boosters but not too large for short journeys.

If you?re thinking of putting youngsters in your car, have you considered their safety in a 50 yr old plastic vehicle, that was never designed to be a convertible?

As much as I love my Plus 2, I?d hate to be in an accident in it.

Just a thought.

There's the Mazda RX8. Has good safety features and rear seats. Great if you like working on quirky engines and enjoy stopping at petrol stations too!

EPC 394J wrote:If you?re thinking of putting youngsters in your car, have you considered their safety in a 50 yr old plastic vehicle, that was never designed to be a convertible?

As much as I love my Plus 2, I?d hate to be in an accident in it.

Just a thought.

Appreciate the concern, but i don't intend to use it often with them in. I have a more modern car for family use.

2cams70 wrote:There's the Mazda RX8. Has good safety features and rear seats. Great if you like working on quirky engines and enjoy stopping at petrol stations too!

I've had one already. I swapped it for a 4.3 V8 auto Mercedes S class to get better fuel economy!

that's why they COULD win, at a very high price - even jacky stewart and his important designers said in the early 60's: colin never USED the word safety - so maybe even in a lotus road car: NO GUTS, NO GLORY!! sandy - i recently had and loved to show a 1000hp (??) new tesla what kinda SHIT he's got under his stupid ass: he got next to me very quickly, had a look at his ridiculous grin, watched him fall behind and me not even close to my braking point - he kept trying in the longer corners: not a chance!!! merry xmas sandy - with a car that keeps you crisp!

Hi

I?m fortunate to have a plus 2 cabby , Chris Neal version.
Fully appreciate concern over safety- indeed this was a contributing factor in selling my previous one , which I converted myself - a big mistake,I regretted the sale almost immediately - I believe any extra rigidity offered by the flimsy roof and ?B? pillars is negligible.
You are correct the cabby is far easier to get in and out off than the coupe.
Good luck with the search
Mark

A friend has a RHD plus 2 conv. here in Canada for sale, complete but needs some restoration to clean it up.
Jack

jk952 wrote:A friend has a RHD plus 2 conv. here in Canada for sale, complete but needs some restoration to clean it up.
Jack

Thanks, but I have one hopefully lined up here which will save a ton of cash in shipping and import duty