Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Hi!

I'm new to this and just bought a 1971 +2S 130.

What I'm wondering is how can I tell if it is the '130' or not? I've seen some +2s with bonnet bulges, although not all that say they're '130' have the bulge.

I've also had a look at the VIN breakdown on this site and there doesn't seem to be any differentiation.

Is there any easy way to tell? Also is the only difference the increased power (and if so how was it achieved), or were there any trim differences?

Also what is a 130/5?

Apologies if I'm asking you the dimmest questions in the world!

130S denotes the big valve engine which reputedly produces 126bhp as opposed to the std 118bhp of the ordinary 'S'

The 130 should have 'Big Valve' impressed on the cam cover and some longitudinal ribs on the cover.

The additional power of the big valve was gained mainly through different cams, the slightly larger inlet valves largely being a marketing pitch.

130/5 denotes the 5 speed Maxi derived gearbox.

The 'bulge' is common to both models

Hi both,

The bulge actually appeared to clear Stromberg carbs which, IIRC, were introduced initially to save money (or was it to help with supply issues) and then retained to meet US emmisions stndards. As a result, all UK 130 cars should be flat bonnet and the bulge should be on 'S' cars with Strombergs and later US cars.

Of course, over the years, lots of cars have since become hybrids.

Mike

Where do you live? I also have a 1971 +2 S130 which you are welcome to look at and compare, that's not to say my car is 100% right but from the info picked up over the years its not far out.

Fantastic! As you can see from the pictue the cam cover is as you describe.

Many thanks for the help!

rjaxe wrote:Where do you live? I also have a 1971 +2 S130 which you are welcome to look at and compare, that's not to say my car is 100% right but from the info picked up over the years its not far out.

I'm in Manchester so it'd be a bit of a trek!

Thanks anyway,

Tim

Tim

Nice one ,put SK13 2NX in your satnav and you'll find me,on long term sick at the moment,fuel injecting my Plus2...

John
Glossop

P.S.

I'll pm you more details

P.P.S.

You'll have to get your name down for Donnington 18-19 April

"The additional power of the big valve was gained mainly through different cams, the slightly larger inlet valves largely being a marketing pitch. "

and also a slight skimming of the head (0.040") to increase the compression

John

Jonn P Clegg ---the people backing on to you on Lawnfold called me to say they don't mind you working on your car naked but please-- no Morris dancing in that condition ---thanks ---ed -----------I have a cover that's backwards also -I just figured that it was a Lotus quality control slip up ---ed

Tim
You have a very rare version of the Big Valve Cam Cover...worth ?Millions!! Well, maybe not, but it is quite rare. The writing at the front is the wrong way round. Some say that a batch were made to launch the big valve engine in the Sprint and S130 at motor shows, where the cars would be displayed with their bonnets removed...hence the audience could read what it said on the cam cover.

Look after it...and here's the standard one for comparison.

You also have a twin on the forum. Jeremy is rebuilding his car with the same paint job:

http://www.lotuselan.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=17672

Mark

Elanintheforest wrote:Tim
You have a very rare version of the Big Valve Cam Cover.... The writing at the front is the wrong way round. Some say that a batch were made to launch the big valve engine in the Sprint and S130 at motor shows, where the cars would be displayed with their bonnets removed...hence the audience could read what it said on the cam cover.

Look after it...and here's the standard one for comparison.

Mark

Thanks for the info!

While I'm here asking questions does anyone know if the webasto sunroof would have been done by lotus (everything I've seen points towards no extras available)? If not is it period? And/or rare?

Also is this the original steering wheel? I've seen the same (or simiar) on other elan pictures but want to make sure before splashing out on having it restored.

Incidentally mine is with bonney bulge, but with Dellorto carbs. Looks like a hybrid!

Welcome to the group!
I have a '72 +2S130 and will be at Donnington. If you're their would be good to have a shufty..
Anyhow, what I am interested in is what its like with the Webasto? I wondered about having one fitted but wanted to know what travelling with it is like!
Tim

Hi and welcome to the forum.

I was watching this car on Ebay just to see what it would go for, I think you paid a good price for it, are you happy with it? Is the paintwork good?

The ad said:

We stripped the car back and fully resprayed it in Lotus red and gold with a metalflake roof.
This was achieved using proper fibreglass painting techniques

I paid ?500 more than you for mine and my paintwork is shocking.
I had to replace my dash as well; it is not such a bad job.

New carpets are available from the usual suppiers. The seats come up on Ebay pretty regualarly; fronts about ?150 a pair, rears are cheap ?50, you should budget about ?200 for secondhand seats or you could get your existing seats recovered.

The rag roof= I was led to believe was an option fitted by the dealers, it's a period extra which I am considering fitting. Some do not like them as they leak but it gets very stuffy in my +2 in the summer, a hole in the roof would be great to let out the petrol fumes.

Jason

tdafforn wrote:Welcome to the group!
I have a '72 +2S130 and will be at Donnington. If you're their would be good to have a shufty..
Anyhow, what I am interested in is what its like with the Webasto? I wondered about having one fitted but wanted to know what travelling with it is like!
Tim

My +2S has always had a Webasto and I don't think I would enjoy the car nearly as much without it. I think mines the original and looks as though it should leak around the edges, but it doesn't leak at all, even at speed. I very rarely drive the car with the webasto closed, unless it's raining hard, and with it open it's so much more light and airy. It also gives practically no wind noise even at 120mph. It seems there is less engine noise (and smell) in the cabin with it open, so the car actually feels more refined.

I would highly recommend it.

Steve

I don't actually collect the car for another couple of weeks becuase of commitments so I can't tell you what the paint or sunroof are like, although from what I've seen the paint is excellent.

As for the seats I'm thinking of using these guys who look like they can do a good job on the seats: leatherrevive.co.uk

I'm hoping to make Donnington so see you all there!