Elan Registry - Plus 2

[Unibrain]

Now that the major updates to the Elan Registry are complete I want to add the Plus 2. I'm not conversant on the Plus 2 so need others to validate a few things for me.

How does one identify the various models?
Elan +2
Elan +2S
Elan +2S 130
Elan +2S 130/5 Speed

What was available in each of the years. This is what I can gather from the VIN list
1967
Elan +2 Number 50/xxxx

1968
Elan +2 Number 50/xxxx
Elan +2S

1969
Elan +2 Number 50/xxxx
Elan +2S

1970
Elan +2 Number 70.xx.yy.0001z
Elan +2S

1971
Elan +2 Number 71.xx.yy.0001z
Elan +2S
Elan +2S 130

1972
Elan +2 Number 72.xx.yy.0001z
Elan +2S
Elan +2S 130
Elan +2S 130/5 Speed

1973
Elan +2 Number 73.xx.yy.0001z
Elan +2S
Elan +2S 130
Elan +2S 130/5 Speed

1974
Elan +2 Number 74.xx.yy.0001z
Elan +2S
Elan +2S 130
Elan +2S 130/5 Speed

[Jason1]

Hi Jim

Not an easy question to answer as the federal cars are a different spec, but the Parts Manual is a good start.

http://www.type50.com/plus2/Technical%2 ... Manual.pdf

Page 4 is a pretty good start.

Jason

[Unibrain]

How is this for the quick spotters guide?

Plus 2
2 large gauges - Speedometer, Tachometer
4 small gauges - Water Temp, Oil Pressure, Ammeter, Fuel

Plus 2S
2 large gauges - Speedometer, Tachometer
6 small gauges -Oil, Water temp, Batter Condition, Temp, Fuel, Clock
4 warning lights in center of dash (Hazard, Parking Brake, Brake Fail, Rear Screen)

Plus 2S 130
2 large gauges - Speedometer, Tachometer
6 small gauges - Oil, Water temp, Batter Condition, Temp, Fuel, Clock
3 warning lights in center of dash (Hazard, Park/Brake Fail, Rear Screen)

Plus 2S 130/5
Same as Plus2 S 130 with 5-speed gearbox

[JJDraper]

These type designations are broad brush, rather than definitive, covering a spectrum of types from the Vanilla +2 to the Cherry-on-top +2 130/5. Unlike the Elan, the +2 evolved in gradual phases on the production line and owners often upgraded, in the way you can't upgrade an S2 to an S4 Elan. This registry exercise may be the best way to provide some indication of what happened when. May I suggest that the key number is the Chassis number and the owner's view of what their car is - or was.

The broad categories you stated may be useful as a tick box process, but include door handle type (unitary or separate lock) & Boot (trunk) release , Fog Lamps, Pedal box type (wide/narrow), windscreen type (bonded or not). There are plenty more minor differences but it will be owners' classification of what they think they have which will be interesting. A lot of the changes above seem to date from chassis no. 0928.

Would also be worth a 'modified' designation.

It will truly be a labour of love!

Jeremy

[leifanten]

Excellent initiative! How do we register our vehicles?

[richgilb]

How does one identify the various models?
Elan +2
Elan +2S
Elan +2S 130
Elan +2S 130/5 Speed

Think you forgot the outcasts
Elan +2
Elan +2S
Elan +2S 130
Elan +2S 130/5 Speed
Elan +2 Zetec
Elan +2S Zetec
Elan +2S 130 Zetec

How does one identify the various models?

Just add two inches to the gap between wheel and wheel arch for all added models

[stugilmour]

How is this for the quick spotters guide?

Looks very good; here are a few adders from "Authentic Lotus & Plus 2", Robinshaw & Ross

Going by model year may be a bit difficult. Mine is 50/2181 Plus 2 Federal, but "year" is 1971, probably based on year of registration rather than build date?

I think the Plus 2, Plus 2S and Plus 2S 130 is one "breed", and the Plus 2 Federal and Plus 2S Federal are a second breed. In terms of build dates they were being made at the same time for the two separate markets, and the VIN numbers run parallel to one another, with the Federal "breed" getting the six gauge improvement much later than the Plus 2/Plus 2S "breed". Stand to be corrected on this of course.

Plus 2
50/0001 on
2 large gauges - Speedometer, Tachometer
4 small gauges - Water Temp, Oil Pressure, Ammeter, Fuel

Plus 2 Federal
50/0857 on for US, 50/0929 all markets
2 large gauges - Speedometer, Tachometer
4 small gauges - Water Temp, Oil Pressure, Ammeter, Fuel
Remote boot release, flush interior door handles, modified exhaust

Plus 2S
50/1593 on
2 large gauges - Speedometer, Tachometer
6 small gauges -Oil, Water temp, Batter Condition, Temp, Fuel, Clock
4 warning lights in center of dash (Hazard, Parking Brake, Brake Fail, Rear Screen)
New luxury interior including revised seats and centre console

Plus 2S Federal
50/2447 on
2 large gauges - Speedometer, Tachometer
6 small gauges -Oil, Water temp, Batter Condition, Temp, Fuel, Clock
4 warning lights in center of dash (Hazard, Parking Brake, Brake Fail, Rear Screen)
Luxury interior including revised seats and centre console

Plus 2S 130
71.01...0001 on
2 large gauges - Speedometer, Tachometer
6 small gauges - Oil, Water temp, Batter Condition, Temp, Fuel, Clock
3 warning lights in center of dash (Hazard, Park/Brake Fail, Rear Screen)
Luxury interior including revised seats and centre console
Big Valve engine

Plus 2S 130/5
72.10... on
Same as Plus 2S 130 with 5-speed gearbox

[Spyder fan]

How does one identify the various models?
Elan +2
Elan +2S
Elan +2S 130
Elan +2S 130/5 Speed

Think you forgot the outcasts
Elan +2
Elan +2S
Elan +2S 130
Elan +2S 130/5 Speed
Elan +2 Zetec
Elan +2S Zetec
Elan +2S 130 Zetec

How does one identify the various models?

Just add two inches to the gap between wheel and wheel arch for all added models

Rich,
whats a +2S 130 zetec? is that like mine but with 70bhp less?

[trw99]

My word, you +2 chaps certainly know how to make life complicated

Poor Jim - life was easier with the Elan, eh?

Tim

[richgilb]

only less 35 on mine.

[richgilb]

Rich,
whats a +2S 130 zetec? is that like mine but with 70bhp less?

You showing off again with those performance parts?

[Spyder fan]

The only component lacking on my +2 is the nut behind the wheel!

[rocket]

Richgilb...you got a bite ..


Ian.

[Spyder fan]

It's Friday, I will bite anything after 5 pints of Guinness!
Rich is jealous of my superior and complete zetec conversion....
"Is that in the spirit of adding lightness" my ar*e!

[Spyder fan]

Jim,
Getting back on topic I think that most of us will just be happy to have a section for Elan +2 variants based on year of production, it would be quite nice to sort of slot in with our Elan siblings.

EG:

Year----Series----Variant----Type----Chassis----Colour
1969-----+2--------+2S-------50------1705-----Royal Blue

+ lots before and lots after mine.....

The recent posts regarding numbers of surviving examples prove that there is a growing interest in the +2 and it's contribution to the Elan legend, I would like to extend a big thankyou for taking the time and effort to produce an interesting and historically important registry, I will be amongst the first to register my +2 on your list when you have decided on the appropriate format.

Regards