Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Thought I'd start some "S"...............

All I read about over on the Elan section is Sprint this.....Sprint that............as though it is the end all.

Don't later +2's have the same engine and transmission? (rhetorical question)............of course it does.

What does the S on a +2 stand for? Super?, Sprint? Special? , it must stand for Something?

"Plus" we have extra numbers (130) does a Sprint have that?.............

Stripes don't make something better than an elegant design.................

Big shout out for the "S". I like it stands for "Special". Definitely my favourite version of my favourite Lotus.

"S" for Superb? Spiffing? Sexy?

+2's confuse me i thought i had it figured.

1965-late 1967 +2 with Small valve head/Stromberg's/Transverse exhaust/External boot lock/No Spot lights etc

1967-1970 +2s with small valve head/Webers/push glove box/Spot lights/ Boot pull in drivers door shut

1970-1975 +2s 130 similar spec to the +2s but with Big valve head/Webers or Dellorto/Flake roof

Is that correct? or was the +2 more of a gradual change? so you would get different specs overlapping years? or where there other spec's i've missed out that blur the lines?

erm...no +2 made between '65 and '67 (well not for sale......development cars only.....ie the meteor)

Grizzly wrote:+2's confuse me i thought i had it figured.

1965-late 1967 +2 with Small valve head/Stromberg's/Transverse exhaust/External boot lock/No Spot lights etc

1967-1970 +2s with small valve head/Webers/push glove box/Spot lights/ Boot pull in drivers door shut

1970-1975 +2s 130 similar spec to the +2s but with Big valve head/Webers or Dellorto/Flake roof

Is that correct? or was the +2 more of a gradual change? so you would get different specs overlapping years? or where there other spec's i've missed out that blur the lines?

as borrowed from Trevor Sparrows site....

Lotus Elan
Pre+2
September 1967

LPW 120E and chasis number 00001

Lotus Elan
+ 2
September 1967 to March 1969
Essentially a stretched and re-bodied version of the two seat Elan, the + 2 used the Lotus twincam engine. This was the last Lotus to be sold as a kit of parts to avoid purchase tax.

Lotus Elan
+ 2 S
March 1969 December 1970
An updated version of the +2 which moved the car away from its kit car image, by providing a more luxurious interior and additional ancillary equipment.

Lotus Elan
+ 2S 130/4
1971 - 1974
This model boasted the 126 brake horsepower big valve twincam engine from the Elan sprint.
Set apart by its distinctive silver roof, this model has been much sought after in recent years.
Sadly, the fashion for spraying the car in a single colour has made the original two colour scheme something of a rarity.

Lotus Elan +2S
John Player Special
1973
A run of 50 special edition Grand Prix Elan plus 2s produced in 1973 in order to celebrate 50th Grand Prix victory scored by Team Lotus, which was achieved in Spain that year.
It is suggested that to boost flagging sales that 86 examples of this car were produced, despite the published intention to produce a limited run of 50 examples.

Lotus Elan
+ 2S 130/5
October 1972 to December 1974

The final version of the + 2 featured a 5 speed gearbox, answered the critics who had considered the previous versions

"Ideally geared for acceleration and for speed-limited countries," but less at home with the high cruising speeds then allowed on continental motorways. It is true even on the modern British motorway, with its 70 mph speed limit, that the high engine revs required, the 4 speed cars can be noisy and wearing after a while.

Using gear clusters obtained from Austin housed in a Lotus manufactured gearbox, the 5 speed Elan plus 2 offered an overdrive fifth gear ideal for motorway cruising, whilst top speed was achieved in fourth. My own view is that the crispness of the 4 speed box suits the car better, whilst the clumsy position of the extra fifth gear made it awkward to select.

My Plus 2 registered Jan 1968 doesn't have spotlights but has boot pull in the drivers door. It has a big valve head but that may have been an upgrade in later life.

TonyR

http://lotuselan-plus2.be/trevorsparrow ... n_main.htm

heres the break down

from chassis No 70.04.10.0250L
Introduction of front fog lights.

im not saying its gospel....but its a good indicator

Just reading that +2 site (Really good) is it true they had a Colour blind Electrician wiring them up

Welp........I've asked some real smart Lotus fellers about the S............and got nothing. But I reckon the answer is forth coming............just got to find the right intel with the right guy to tell .

If not..........I'm going to make up my own version. The upside to that?.............no one can prove you wrong.

Of course I'll need buy in from you P2 guys so we can all be on the same page........then we all can tell the same story.

Any time you add a name like Sprint, Special or Super it adds something.....and no,
it won't be a Plus 2 Something

I do find it coincidental that the S on the Plus 2 started about the time Lotus started being sponsored by JP
So I'm starting to lean toward Special.
Prove me wrong

mike

No, it was just the fashion then to add an S, much like GT was added to an upgraded model, then it was GTi, now it`s R. I can`t wait for J.
Jimj

Common lore of course was that the two rear seats were to capture the family as they grew out of the two-seater Elan but as I've shown my car some people have suggested that England had a tax break on four seatters at the time, is that true Gordon Sauer

jimj wrote:No, it was just the fashion then to add an S, much like GT was added to an upgraded model, then it was GTi, now it`s R. I can`t wait for J.
Jimj

Agreed. S stands for SupaDupa