Plus 2 model identification

[draenog]

The dash on a +2S also has 4 warning lights while the +2S 130 has 3...

[alanr]

A few differences between my 1970 +2S and 1972 130S:

+2S has flush underbonnet lights set in the side of the engine bay, 130 has light mounted in the bonnet top rail
130 has a different bootlid and release mechanism from the earlier cars
+2S fog lamps are set in cutouts in the body with plastic liners, 130 has moulded recesses.
+2S screen is standard rubber, 130 is bonded
Some +2S have folding rear seat – dropped later as too expensive!
+2S has chromed brass roof strips, not monkey metal
130 has one central screenwash jet, earlier cars have 2.
130 has failsafe headlights.
and on the dash:
130 dash has:
Fuses rather than ashtray
Electric headlight switch not vacuum
Voltmeter not Ammeter
Mechanical oil pressure gauge to 100psi rather than electric gauge to 60psi
Bonnet pull in place of ignition switch (on column on 130S)

However, as we know, Lotus didn't have clean model brakes and often built 'bitsa' cars using what was available at the time!

As you say there was no clean brake on Model Spec...My Sept '71 S130 is completely different to what you have listed.
I have the later boot pull release on the door pillar.
I have cutouts for the front foglights with plastic liners.
I have Moulded front screen
I have the underbonnet lights but no light on the top rail
I have the folding rear seat
I have monkey metal roof strips
I have two screen washer jets
I do not have failsafe headlights
I have a central ashtray and the 3underbonnet fuse boxes
I have an electric 60psi oil pressure sender and gauge
Electric headlight switch
Voltmeter
Column locking ign switch.

Did they make two cars the same I wonder...!

[mikealdren]

Interesting Alan, looks like your car was using up some of the last +2S components, a real crossover car.

[TomMull]

And my car, perhaps because it is a Federal +2S and as you all have shown, not a 130, has the bonded windscreen and the fold down rear seats, all else seems to conform to Alan's list.
This forum is a remarkable source of information and a good thing too, as Lotus seems far less cookie cutter identical than what I've been used to.
Tom

[Bud English]

The Federal +2S cars had the bonded screen from 7001020001N on. I believe that it was a US DOT standard. It probably turned out to be cheaper/lighter and became standard.

[draenog]

+2S had a spot light and a fog light with separate switches. Later cars had two fog lights and a single switch. Apart from inconsistencies from the factory, later modifications further complicate identification. For example, my January 1970 +2S has moulded recesses, but it has obviously had a new front-end fitted at some time. Also, owners retro-fit later features - I've seen on ebay early +2 with +2S dash and interiors. Might have made sense in the past, but leaves the cars a dog's dinner, which I wouldn't touch with a barge pole.

[alanr]

My '71 +2S130 has a Spot and Fog light on two separate switches. So it seems there is no definitive spec for cars built around '70 '71 '72, it was whatever the Lotus factory had to hand at the time !