71 Lotus Elan Plus 25 35th Anniversary Model

[englishcarguy]

I think I've found the +2S of my dreams. I've wanted one for a long time.

It is being advertised as a 71 Lotus Elan Plus 25 35th Anniversary Model. I've never heard of the "Anniversary Model" before. I worked at a Lotus Dealer in '71 and for the life of me can't remember this special edition. Has anyone heard of it before. I didn't see any special badging on the vehicle. What's included in the Anniversary Model.

Thanks

Scott
(englishcarguy)

[Sea Ranch]

Subscribed. Got my popcorn . . .

Hmm . . . 1971 minus 35 = 1936 . . . Chapman was born in 1928 . . . Okay, I give up.

[elanfan1]

Scott -think you've got an advertiser there who doesn't know his **** from his elbow. Post up a link and we'll have a look. Maybe be able to give you some pointers and warn you about other crap that he's spouting - might save you a fortune or getting something that doesn't fit with your expectations.

Top lurking by the way -member for 3.5 years and this is your first post

[trw99]

Link is here: http://saleofcar.com/lotus-other-elan/042238

No such Elan as 35th Anniversary. I suspect the advertiser had left that in from a previous ad.

VIN 0115N makes it a Mar or Apr 1970 +2S.

Tim

[englishcarguy]

Sorry about the lurking. Just sold the Esprit and seeking an Elan +2S. Never had a reason to post, so I lurk.
I like the car but concerned about the posting. First the "Anniversary Model". The posting says it is in Ohio but the number listed is in Nebraska. Last no feedback score for the lister. Its a listing service. I sent some questions but as of now no response.

This just has "be careful" screaming at me.

Thanks for the info. Always appreciated.

Scott
(englishcarguy)

[elanfan1]

If you are concerned about how genuine the advert is do a google image search on them. If they've been lifted from somewhere else this should show up.

Good Luck. The lurking comment was meant to be humorous - you are very welcome here. Keep posting!

[Sea Ranch]

Umm, we know this car. I can point you to the restorer, up in the wet north-west corner of the states. He's built a number of cars. Seems to do a good job. But I will dig up the info in a bit and pass it on to you (forum threads, old sale webpages, etc.).

Recognized it by the lack of chrome rain gutter strip and lower sill strip

Report back in a while . . .

Randy

[Sea Ranch]

So the previous owner/restorer is Paul Timms, who now lives in Washington state and rebuilds cars.
http://paultimmsclassics.com/2012/06/hello-world/

Here is a previous Bring a Trailer listing:
http://bringatrailer.com/2012/02/15/bat ... -elan-2-s/

Can't quite find his Elan.net presence, but you get the idea.

Hope this helps . . .

Randy

ps. you'll note the BAT price was $26k, so obviously something's wrong with this "saleofcar" web ad . . .

[CBUEB1771]

It will be interesting to see what Randy reports. At $7,100 I would not be expecting a particularly fine example. I was not able to find 0115N on the various Elan and +2 registration sites. The suggested build date seems reasonable, Mine, 0170N, is August 1971.

[Sea Ranch]

The car shows up here . . .
http://www.autotraderclassics.com/class ... Id=2831905

for $42k, with same pix as the saleofcar webpage (which are not the same pix as the BAT webpage for the car). Car is said to be in Lexington, Ohio, in both these current ads.

Very strange. I would say its very fishy. I placed a phone call to the "dealer" and the outgoing voice message gave a family name, as though I had called someone's home.

Further, the car shows up here . . .
http://www.selectvehiclemarketing.com/f ... assic_cars

. . . with the same phone number, supposedly for a different dealer again.

Argh!!!

[CBUEB1771]

Don't all federal +2S have the "chrome" windscreen trim?

[Sea Ranch]

You mean the plastic chrome? As in bonded windscreen. Yes, I believe so.

This is a good question, regarding this white 71 Plus 2S. Don't know the answer. Perhaps he cut the windscreen aperture bigger to accommodate the traditional gasket-and-plastic strip. Suppose it's been done before.

[Sea Ranch]

And what should I find in my inbox but this ebay auction . . .
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lotus-Other-Ela ... SS:CA:1120

Bid price is currently $10,600US (reservce not met). So keep your eye on it, Scott. Might yet sell for a bargain. Or not!

Interestingly, it does have Ohio plates on it, and the seller's name is "byownersales", one of the supposed dealers with the car on their webpage. Unfortunately, the ebay seller has 0 (zero) transactions. Who would try to conduct the sale of a $20k+ car on ebay with zero feedback???

Ignominious period in this car's life . . .

Randy

[englishcarguy]

Guys, thanks for all the research and info.

The alarm bells are really going off now. I think the 42k is a bit large for this car especially with no feedback.

Still interested in a +2S.

Scott

[Sea Ranch]

If you like the car, Scott, I really think you should call the seller. The car is real; you just have to establish who owns it. I really don't think it will reach reserve on the ebay auction, given the seller's lack of feedback. Once the auction has finished, he might be willing to discuss a price.

Where do you live? You could go see the car in person, or have an agent see it for you. It's very common to look at and buy cars like this "from a distance", as examples aren't common.

Any info you want regarding the car's restoration you can get from this Paul Timms fellow, who presumably would have no reason to not be forthcoming.

Randy