Looking to pass on my father's Elan +2

[YodasBeast]

Hello all,

My father purchased an Elan +2 while stationed at RAF Bentwaters in the early 70's. I believe it is a 1969 model, but would need to verify. Sadly, it was in an accident in 1980 and his part time restoration continued until his passing in 2022. My mother is hoping to pass the vehicle on to another Lotus lover that would finish the restoration. I can take photos to upload here for any interested parties and obtain specifics about the parts (I do believe he had everything to complete it)

The biggest issue is that it resides in the southwest of the United States and I'm not sure if these forums have members on this side of the Atlantic.

If there are any members that are interested, or if someone knows of a resource with individuals closer to me, please let me know.

Thank you,
Eric Stallard

[512BB]

Good morning Eric from the other side of the pond. It is a shame that your sad story brings you to this place and condolences on the passing of your father, but brilliant that he kept going with the car until the end. He obviously loved it.

You are obviously not aware, but this board was born in the USA, as the song goes, and has many US members. I am sure that there will be much interest in your Dad's car, but please also be aware, that if you sell to the wrong person, the car could be broken for parts, which would be a travesty considering its history.

To drum up the most interest, you should post quite a few pictures and possibly invite offers for the car. There will be a host of guesses as to the cars value, but without sight of it, its difficult to value. Another route to sale could possibly be BAT or even the dredded ebay. Don't be in to much of a hurry to sell. The right buyer may be waiting in the wings and take a while to emerge.

All the best to you and your Mother.

Leslie

[trw99]

Eric,

Welcome and my condolences to you.

If you let me know the VIN I should be bale to tell you when the car was produced.

Tim

[JasonJ]

Eric

Condolences to yourself and your family.

I hope your father’s car finds a new custodian who will get it back on the road.

Kind regards
Jason

[arcangel]

I'm a Plus 2 owner here in So California and there are plenty of US Lotus enthusiasts on this forum. There is a classifieds section to post the sale of your Plus 2.under Lotus Elans and Plus 2s. Take plenty of photos and relevant info on the car, I don't know how involved you were in the cars restoration with your father but people here can answer questions. Its too bad your father wasn't able to finish the restoration, good luck.

[GLB]

I am in El Paso and would like to see some photos. Gary

[YodasBeast]

Thank you all for the responses. Gives me a ray of hope that his car will find a new home.

OK, got over to my mom's today to do a bit of cleaning, as it's not 100+ degrees for the first time in a while, so please disregard his hoarding. Took a few photos and got a little bit more information from her.

It is a 1971 model (I couldn't find the VIN) and was apparently originally painted in Regency Red (although was a maroon color). During the process, he apparently decided to paint it blue like the one my mom originally had over there. The last section he was working on before shifting back to work on the Triumph TR4 again was getting the wiring harness for under the dash together, although she's not sure on how far he got with it.

I snapped a few shots of the parts in the garage that I could find. I forgot to go back inside to get some of the seats and whatever else he has wrapped up in sheets and plastic. I can get those another time if requested. The frame was one that he bought but didn't like the way it fit with the body, IIRC. I think the extra engine is for this car, but could be for the Aston Martin as well (he was horrible with sticking to working on one car at a time). The frame, engine (if Lotus), all parts and manuals would be included.

Bonnet

Doors

Dash

Windows

[YodasBeast]

Additional images

Also, I will try to take some better photos once I get the garage cleaned out and organized.

[JasonJ]

Eric,

The pictures are painting a far clearer picture, and this is looking like a great project for someone!
Going by the pics already it looks to be a complete car, the engine in the car is possibly a newer Ford Duratect which is a common conversion, but the plus to this is you still have the original twin cam engine also.( that’s the dusty old one in the rack) lol.

All in all a great project for someone, and the guys over state side seem to have a great appetite for these kinds of projects and skill sets to match.

I’m confident you will find the right person.

All the best
Jason

[512BB]

Hello again Eric,

I was fearful when I saw your first few pictures that the original Lotus twin cam engine was not there, but then I saw the money shot.

The problem with buying a car that is not all together, is that a buyer cannot be sure that it is 100% complete. That could be a problem if the car was in the UK, but could be a nightmare in the US, if a prospective owner wanted to build an original car.

Period Lotus cars have completely different values between our two great nations but I would be thinking somewhere in the region of $12000 - $14000. I am going to redact my advice to place the car on ebay. I do not think that is the correct place to sell such a car. BAT would be better, and I am sure you will illicit some offers from this very forum. Be patient, the right buyer will happen along.

Good luck with it.

Leslie

[USA64]

I would add; don't throw anything out that you can't identify including nuts and bolts even if rusty.

[rgh0]

You appear to have more than a complete car with the spare new rolling spyder chassis and the Twin cam which together would be worth US$5000 to $8000 alone in the US . The twin cam even has the super rare original Lotus alternator bracket, I would buy it for that alone if i was in the US.

Assuming the rest of the car is all there and has a good chassis and mechanicals also present also then thats another US$12000 plus

Good luck with sorting it all out and with a successful sale

cheers
Rohan

[The Veg]

Hi Eric,
Sorry to hear of your dad's passing!

I know a guy here in Georgia who is looking for a Plus 2 and might be keen. I've forwarded this thread to him.

[YodasBeast]

Thank you all for the feedback. I'll put this on hold for a bit until I can sort out all the bits and bobs of it.

Once I've cleaned the garage further and ensure that all of the parts are found, I'll clean a few layers of dust off and take some better pictures to post.