New '73 Elan +2S 130/5 Cabriolet Owner (SDK 434L)

[Hethel_Haus]

I have been hovering about your Elan site for some time now dreaming about owning an Elan. The more I looked at what was out there, the more I got smitten by the convertible version of the Plus 2. I started looking in earnest early this summer and after a few near misses, I finally found one at UK Sports Cars. It took nearly 3 months and a lot of nail biting to get it imported into the U.S., and then shipped up to my home in Wisconsin but it is finally here and fully registered and titled.

Wondering if any of you out there were either a previous owner, know any of the owners, or anything about the car? Previous owners that I have been able to ascertain from the large receipt file included with the car include:

Mark Sleep (Deal), Peter Robert Sturgess (Littleborough), David John Lindsley (Heywood).

Anyway, I am planning to keep this car a long, long time and will be posting many questions as I sort out the car (some postings under separate headings tonight in fact!). I had to do a little rework to the ignition system after I got it and it now runs quite well. Everything that I had expected from reading about Plus 2s. It's quite the hit of the neighborhood and the kids love seeing it. Quite a rarity on this side of the pond as no one's ever seen anything like it. I expect it may be the one and only convertible Plus 2 in the U.S.? Anyone out there know of another?

Posted are a few picture of the car at it's new home. Glad to formally be part of your Forum now!

Cheers!
Steve

[612kiwi3333]

Very nice Hethel. welcome to the +2 club.
yes Steve I know it is yours.
Mike
70elan+2
71europa s2

[elansprint71]

Looks good!

The car registration SCK originates in Preston, Lancashire, the L at the end denotes the year, August 72 to August 73. Littleborough and Heywood are also towns in the county of Lancashire.

Enjoy.

[elancoupe]

There was a yellow convertible +2 at LOG 30, I am sure someone will have a photo to post.

[Hethel_Haus]

Hi to Mike (aka "Kiwi")! Is this a great website or what?

Thanks also to Pete for the "L" designation info on the registration. In due time, I hope to track down some of the previous owners to learn more about this car.

Surprised to hear that there is another Plus 2 convertible Plus 2 in the States. Looking forward to someone posting pictures from LOG 30 and perhaps who owns the car. I've only seen a few posted on the web, but no yellow ones so far.

Cheers!
Steve

[collins_dan]

Steve, I didn't get a picture of the other Plus 2 convertible, but it was from Canada, so you may still be the only Plus 2 convertible registered in the US. It was left hand drive and it had the earlier seats with no headrest, which created more room in the backseat. Dan

[elancoupe]

A photo may be seen here:

http://www.lotusowners.com/2010Meetings ... 37_JPG.htm

Plenty of other LOG30 pics as well.

[Tahoe]

Congradulations Steve!

I lived in Neenah until I was 24 and love that part of the country. Enjoy your +2S. I will have my S2 at home for the first time this Friday and can't wait.

,Russ

[Hethel_Haus]

I envy your Lotus driving weather in CA Russ. Only a couple of decent remaining driving weeks up here in Wisconsin before the 1st frost. My Plus 2 will have to wait until next Spring for a good road test.

Cheers!
Steve

[Tahoe]

I envy your Lotus driving weather in CA Russ. Only a couple of decent remaining driving weeks up here in Wisconsin before the 1st frost. My Plus 2 will have to wait until next Spring for a good road test.

Cheers!
Steve

Steve,

We get more snow here than Wisconsin. Last year we had snow from Oct 4th through the first week in June so I only get 6-7 months of good driving here. I have my CJ7 for the winter.

,Russ

[pharriso]

I am assuming that your car is a UK spec one, was it much trouble to get it registered in the US as it would not meet US specs?

I may be interested in importing a car myself.

[summerinmaine]

I envy your Lotus driving weather in CA Russ. Only a couple of decent remaining driving weeks up here in Wisconsin before the 1st frost. My Plus 2 will have to wait until next Spring for a good road test.

Cheers!
Steve

Russ doesn't have the good weather, just great roads. He left the good weather (and his earlier Elan) down here with me. We have some pretty nice roads as well.

[msd1107]

Steve,

Why do you not drive the car year around?

I drove mine year around and experienced good driving experiences. Driving through a forest with the snow swirling down is very nice. The forest service once closed the road, claiming it was impassable, but I did not see why.

So have fun, and have a year round Lotus experience.

David
1968 36/7988

[summerinmaine]

Steve,

Why do you not drive the car year around?


David
1968 36/7988

Salt on the roads?

[msd1107]

Wash the exposed metal parts under the car? With the fiberglass body, the Elan will suffer much less than the average steel bodied car.

David
1968 36/7988