Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Hi guys,

I need to have some informations about my Lotus +2 :

Federal or not ?

What informations do you have with my chassis number and engine number ?
Engine no. G16005B
Chassis no. 50/0665
So, it is stamped on cylinder 16005B

On website : http://elanregistry.org/guide.php
Plus 2 50/0001 on
Type 50 +2

Plus 2 Federal 50/0857 on for US, 50/0929 all markets
Type 50 +2 Federal

On website : http://lotuselan-plus2.be/trevorsparrow ... n_main.htm, we have this board below.
I have Twin Webers and not Twin Strombergs Carburetors on my car, and I have imported my Elan+2 from US.
So, is it an EU model exported to US, and imported after, or US model (Federal) with special equipment ?
If it is 2nd case, there are not technicals differences between EU model and US model with option special equipment ?
.................................Carburetors..........Output............Suffix /Cam Cover colour......Fitted in
Special Equipment....Twin Webers..........118 bhp................F / red...........................+2 and +2S
American Federal.....Twin Strombergs....108 bhp...............M / red............................+2 and +2S Federal
Big Valve...................Twin Webers..........126 bhp...............P / black.........................+2 S130
Federal Big Valve......Twin Strombergs....113 bhp...............U / red............................+2 S130 Federal
Big Valve...................Twin Dellorto..........126 bhp.............EN / red...........................+2 S130

Special equipment or Standard equipment ?

Thank a lot for your informations on my car.

Some photos of your car will help
Alan

It seems strange there are no repeaters on the sides of the front wings for Federal. Plus only one Brake Servo and not two. Do the seats have Headrests.
Alan

Federal cars have dual braking and do not have the chrome window switches or toggles

so, not federal, just a pre federal US car

Looks like an early car imported into the US in 1967, prior to the US Federal safety standards and the emision controls that went into effect in 1968. Lucky you.

Roger

USA cars had the all-amber front park/turn signal lenses, as this one does.

Randy

The dials in the dash look special with temp ?F and so on.
A very nice find, well done that man.
Alan

The door release mechanism I assume just below the door armrest I haven't seen. Plus the ID tag ascribes to 1965 standards so got to be a pretty early car, nice. Gordon Sauer

As you said, this car was early imported into the US in 1967, prior to the US Federal safety standards and the emision controls that went into effect in 1968.

So, it is a standard Plus 2, not a Plus 2 Federal, not a S. Exactly ?

Before 1968, Plus 2 cars imported to US was technically as EU cars : same power engine, emission engine, brakes, security. Exactly ?

Somebody can say me when this cars was produced ?

In the US we would probably call this an 'Early Plus 2'
Because once federal cars were produced, that is all we got, so Pre Federals are some what rare here, compared to in the EU.

I prefer the looks of the Federal dash, seems more finished, but of course the Weber head is more desirable.

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

so winter of 67-68 maybe you can get a certificate of provenance from Lotus if you are more curious

My Elan "Pre Federal" has same engine EU model ? (same Weber carburators, so same emission, power, brakes)

I noticed a couple of things that peaked my interest. One, the shift boot, and its oversize hole for the shift lever. My 130S has the same boot. Are there any different boots, with a tight fitting hole for the lever? Wound up making a seal from flat rubber stock, with a hole sized slightly smaller that the screw on retainer for the shift lever. All held down with a plate screwed to the tunnel. Was trying to prevent fumes from the engine compartment from entering the interior.

Number two was, the center console design. Never having seen another Plus2 in person, are all center consoles the same through the lineage? Mine does not have the separate arm rest pad, and is covered with the same rough Buffalo hide as the seats and trimmed with the basket weave. No coin tray between the rear seats as well. Plus2's are like frog hair in my part of the world, difficult to find.

I do not believe that pre S130 there are any differences between Weber engines in a +2

only change in brakes was front caliper seal change then change to metric calipers,

Is the dashboard original? The glove box lid looks to be a different veneer to the rest of the dash.