Earliest plus2?

[Jason1]

Has anybody got any pics of the internal handle so we can track it down?

I think it is like the Alfa one that is located under the arm rest?

Berni, didn't you break an early car? Have you still got the bits?

Jason

[kenny]

You couldn't have timed that better Jason...I was just learning how to post pics and your request is my first attempt, Hope it works.

Kenny

[fasterbyelan]

I don't think that the Metier or Metier 2 were ever road registered, so probably didn't have any form of chassis ID. If they did, it would relate to 1964 / 1965. sequnce or just a one-off 'prototype' number.


Mark

I'm sure I've read recently that Ron Hickman used the Metier for a year prior to the car being sold. To be street legal it would I believe need to have a chassis number. Further the car is currently being restored, a post last year mentions Spyder Engineering as the workshop involved.

I think Coterie Press's book 'The Lotus Book S3' by W. Taylor is my source but not having my books to hand I cannot check.

Having just checked, the above is basically correct. Ron used the car for a year, the Metier II that is, before it was sold - Ron himself bought it for ?125 when he left Lotus . He continued to use the car into the early 1970's before scrapping it or so he thought. The car later turned up in London and is now being/has been restored.

[dusty]

Hi

Wasn't the early external door handle a Austin 1100/ 1300??

Jason

Yes, I managed to buy a pair of brand new ones on ebay recently.

I too am Interested in finding out where the internal handle came from as mine are corroded.

[Stuart+2]

I own 50/1035 (25/9/68 build date)

I'm pretty sure the internal handles are early Cortina but will check

Great to hear that there are plenty of other pre-Ss on the road.

Cheers

[kenny]

I thought they were Elf, but speaking to a chap yesterday he assures me as you say they are MK1 Cortina.
Kenny

[Jason1]

Just showed my Alfa Guilia man the pic he says it is not Alfa

Will keep looking.

[Elanintheforest]

I can see why people think it's Cortina, but here's my '66 GT one....
Sorry about the blur...heavy night.
Mark

[blackandgold]

Not sure if any body has been following the Classics Monthy +2 Zetec project but in the letters page in the Febuary issue was a email from one of the guys who helped develop the +2, the test car was a stretched Elan body on a +2 chassis with alloy extensions to the arches as the wheels stuck out four inches each side, no paint and raw fibreglass after serving its purpose it was destroyed for tax purposes

Also in the spring issue of the same mag was a letter from the current owner of the Metier who is having the car restored at Spyder Engineering aparently he has a detailed file about the car from Ron Hickman but no history of the car after it left Lotus and keen for any info, he also owns a +2 Zetec as his everyday car

Thought this might be of some interest

[Dave-M]

A couple of months ago I went to pick some parts up and see the guys car being rolling roaded. (not a lotus)
I went in my plus 2 and as I was waiting for the guy to turn up someone strolled up and announced he assembled the prototype plus 2.
Finished up having a long chat with the guy. He worked as a Lotus F1 mechanic and was seconded to put the prototype together.
He did mention it had a butchered baby elan chassis as the basis.
Amazing how you get talking to all sorts of people when you get out and about in you classic car.
Regards
Dave

[types26/36]

Just a bit of history from Lotus News Sept 1968

[elanman999]

All,
I think you will find that the interior handles are from a Ford Anglia 105E, I have had chassis no 551 since 1979 and in those days you could get all that sort of stuff from the scrap yards. Just wish I had collected a lot more spares!!
You are correct about the exteriors being 1100.
Cheers
John

[dusty]

All,
I think you will find that the interior handles are from a Ford Anglia 105E, I have had chassis no 551 since 1979 and in those days you could get all that sort of stuff from the scrap yards. Just wish I had collected a lot more spares!!
You are correct about the exteriors being 1100.
Cheers
John

I don't think they are from a 105E, although similar these are anglia items but are not quite the same.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NOS-Lotus-Cortina-Mk1-2-Anglia-Transit-door-handle_W0QQitemZ280117575708QQihZ018QQcategoryZ27377QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[blackandgold]

It seems like its raining early +2's in this part of the world at the moment

There is a 68 car for sale in todays paper, the owner brought it over from UK in 1978 and says it is in immaculate condition I will have a look at it as it is not far away

Also a car dealer in Melboune has a 67 car for sale that has a interesting paint job,leather interier and different seats web link follows

http://www.brooklands.com/vehicle_detai ... cle_id=121

Interesting info on the 1000 car milestone as this fits with the ability to build 20 a day mentioned in the Autocar introduction article although there is no mention of door handles

[1964 S1]

I bought a 1980 TR7 today and the chrome seat back reclining handle also appears to be identical to Kenny's photograph.
Speaking from here in the states, I believe the British manufacturers ALL shared parts such as these, for decades.
I'd love hearing from the owners in the motherland concerning this subject.
Does Morgan share Jag share Jensen share Lotus share Triumph share MG share Riley share Bentley share ad infinitum Britain? Yes.
I can see General Motors as being laid out according to the old British Car Manufacturing System. Design a working door handle and we'll use it (for fifteen to twenty years?) on Chevys, Cadillacs, Olds, Buicks, Saabs and Opels.