My 'new' 68 +2, thoughts and comments please....

[Bozzie]

Hi All, I've just joined Elan.Net as I have this weekend purchased a '68 +2 (pictures attached)

I would appreciate any comments, observations or anything interesting really as I am quite keen to collect her next week and get driving. The car appears very well looked after with no body issues whatsoever other than a few stone chips and a hairline crack emanating from the top corner of the headlight surround. The former owner had the car for 12 years and its been comprehensively maintained every November by Paul Matty Sports Cars. Work including a ?10k engine and gearbox rebuild 18 months ago and lots of other work prior including a new carb swap to Dellorto's, headlamp motor conversion, new dash (maintaining the rocker switches which I like), carpets, radio, Kenlowe fan etc. It also had a galvanised chassis (Lotus one) before '07. I am quite keen to keep her looking true to the period visually.

Drives a treat and all the electrics etc. work perfectly!

The only upgrade I was thinking was to install electronic ignition if that's possible but I am open to suggestions on that one.

History before the 90's is missing; it appears to have been off the road until about 1987 when presumably it was renovated and registered. The V5 shows the Year of Manufacture as '68 but as I say not registered till '87. I have looked into this, and it appears if probably has been out of action for a lot of years before '87 then it has to be rebuilt/renovated and re-registered and proven to be of the original manufacture year by way of engine/chassis number dating. Is this correct?

I have had 2 Elise's ('99 and '03) but have always hankered after a classic, so this one is just a year younger than me I am quite excited about. I would also be keen to hear from any NW Elan owner and have also signed up for Club Lotus.

Lots of questions I know, so go easy on me as it's my first classic!

[ericbushby]

Hello Bozzie and welcome.
The car looks brilliant. Bring it along to the Club Lotus meeting at the Houghton Arms, juntion 3, M65 on Saturday 5th May. 12 o'clock onwards, so we can have a proper look at it.
Several members have Plus 2's and know a lot about them.
I will not be there but you will be made welcome.
Eric in Burnley
S3SE DHC

[JohnP]

Well done,

Looks lovely from the photos. You have a similar story to mine, having owned my Elise since new in 1998 I decided to buy a Plus 2 to keep it company (or double my exposure to trouble).
Club Lotus is certainly worth the membership for its wonderfully quaint magazine full of owners' experiences, trade info and classifieds as well as the member events if that interests you.
Can't really comment on your car or questions other than that it looks nice and if you want to fit electronic ignition make sure you use Aldon!
Good luck!

[john.p.clegg]

..or Lumenition.

John

[MarkDa]

Welcome!
You can indeed check back on unit/body/chassis/engine numbers.

Here's a link to start with

http://www.elanregistry.org/guide.php

Lots of threads on here about finding and verifying history.

[alan.barker]

Well done,
i would suggest before you drive it too far check the condition of the driveshaft doughnuts.
It looks like it has a replacement brake servo which has not been fitted at the correct angle so the brakes could lock on.
For the Ignition i would suggest "Simonbloc Hall effect" which fits inside the dissy and needs no modification to anything.
Good luck and well done again
Alan

[tonyr27]

Your Plus 2 looks a nice example mine is a late 68, with a few upgrades. One is mapped ignition.

TonyR

[Bozzie]

Thanks Eric, I will go along and catch up with you one day too.
Cheers Pal

[Bozzie]

Thanks for the advice JohnP, much appreciated. I will look into those suppliers for the Elec Ingnition

[Foxie]

Your Plus 2 looks a nice example mine is a late 68, with a few upgrades. One is mapped ignition.

TonyR

Hi Tony,

What make/ type of mapped ignition have you fitted, and is it just ignition or have you fuel injection ?

How do you find it ?

I have a DTAfast ignition only, which I haven't fitted yet.

Sean

[Bozzie]

Thanks MarkDa and Alan B, I will look into both of those - I knew this Lotus lark would keep me busy!!!!

[tonyr27]

Mines the DTA mapped ignition only. The engine is very tractable even at low revs in higher gears.

It was on the car when I bought it, not sure I would buy it. We have a Aldon igniter on the S3 and that runs well.

TonyR

[RichC]

congratulations ! Best year & colour, but then i'm biased I hope you have years of fun driving it

[Bozzie]

congratulations ! Best year & colour, but then i'm biased I hope you have years of fun driving it

Cheers Rich

[Rob P]

Nice looking motor and welcome to the club. As Eric stated get yourself down to the Hoghton Arms for the NW club Lotus meets, there are always a few people who can answer questions you might have and Gordon Lund who runs the NW Club Lotus group has a +2 of his very own and is very knowledgable.
Where abouts in Lancashire are you based, I'm a Preston lad so if your local I'm happy to meet up and have a chat, although my car is the smaller of the elans but still a twin cam after all