Another newbie looking to buy an Elan +2

[RobinTR6]

I am looking at buying a Elan+2 and yes read the posts on here and just about everywhere else on the web. Had a variety of classics from MG's, Alfas, Ferraris and most recently TR5 and 6's. Have done most of the donky work myself with help from mates. Cant do paint....nor welding. So to the point, getting rid of my TR6 chassis up rebuild by me including injection system, wiring etc) and fancy Elan+2s 130 4 speed.

Amusingly when I bought my first TR6 I was trying to get an Elan +2 but juts got pipped at post so this time.....
Current prices for a good one seem north of ?20K and then I saw this.

Usage would be 'fun drives' and would live in a garage.

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds ... ec/8682340

Question apart form the obvious 'has it been thrashed within an inch of its life' is how much effort would it be to return this to almost standard road car.

Chassis and paint look ok (from a distance), recent engine rebuild etc, so remove roll cage, repace tank redo interior seats etc.

Appreciate some views whether this is practical, sensible and can be done by me and are the sellers known.... and who can I get to inspect car for me who knows the Lotus world

Many thanks
Robin

[weddingcarclive]

I have one for sale but slightly north of 20k in north of England cheers Clive

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/153077690783 ... 1555.l2649

[rgh0]

Looks not to hard to be put back into road trim with all the parts there including the rear bumper !

The mechanical specification sounds good and the picture of the engine bay says its been looked after by someone who knows what their doing.

Certainly worth a close look at for the price.

cheers
Rohan

[Bigbaldybloke]

Definitely worth going to look at. The work done on it all looks to be to a good standard and no corners cut. You?ll need to buy a standard fuel tank, seatbelts and some other parts but you?ll recoup quite a bit by selling off the roll cage and race fuel tank. Bumpers and trim can be expensive but they all look to be included and in ok condition.
Give the chassis a thorough check for corrosion especially around the front cross member and uprights, but if it?s been used recently for track days I suspect it?s ok as it looks like the owner looked after it properly. Expect the typical lotus niggles of bad earth connections and a pretty useless handbrake and check if there is a spare wheel included, otherwise, just go see it and take it for a good test drive on mixed road conditions, hopefully it?s welcome to Lotus ownership!

[gus]

looks interesting

confirm the chassis is in fact a new galvy[salesmen being salesmen]

Some are nervous about driving helmetless in a cage car, but it looks pretty butch

looks like it comes with parts that were removed

I think it is worth investigation

[RobinTR6]

Thanks for the advice chaps, looks like it was interesting, apparently some chap from Australia rang and put a deposit down sight unseen.....I had cleared this Wednesday for a visit ; well it may fall thru or perhaps fate decided it wasnt for me....back on the lookout.

Thanks again
Robin

[rgh0]

I hope whoever is planning to buy it knows how hard it is now to import a classic car into Australia due to recently introduced inspection requirements requiring you to prove it does not contain any asbestos. Proving something is NOT present is not easy and may require the car be completely dismantled by an authorized and very expensive asbestos handling company ( that knows nothing about classic cars!)

The Catch 22 is that you cannot re-export the car if all this becomes to much as it is also illegal to export a car that may contain asbestos!!!

I suspect it may be back on the market soon if its intended to go to Australia

cheers
Rohan

[RobinTR6]

JonB on here has posted me so will visit and have a chat with him about his experience (Roman purple) +2 but its probably not for me as my colour preference is probably blue or red. Just passed on my TR6 so garage now empty......had a quick look at one at a +2s at Allon White , yellow with metalflake roof, very good condition and obviously been looked after.

I now know what a 5 speed box is like as it suffered changing up or down into 4th...syncro complaining unless a very slow change and 5th a bit unnatural. Sales guys said owner said that even after box rebuilt it was like that. Loads of bills for box engine work and Spyder chassis, respray,electronic ignition, cv shafts, ali rad and previous owner for 28 years...whew. Is the syncro crash common on the 5 speed ?

So will continue looking.

FWIW do prices suffer post the summer peaks ? or are they too rare/specialists for that ?

[Elanintheforest]

My Cosworth BDA Plus 2 is for sale currently if you want something with a bit of get up and go!

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1004402

Mark

[mbell]

Is the syncro crash common on the 5 speed ?

Certainly not uncommon, mine has it. 4th gear is a direct link between the input shaft and 3rd motion, this mean the syncro has to spin up the entire mass of the input shaft (and any clutch drag). So it works a lot harder than the other gears that are just handling the mass of the gears. Therefore changes into 4th require extra care and wears faster than the others.

Exiting 5th gear is generally quite difficult as the detent for 5th is normally over tight which means it need a good yank to get it out of gear (and likely means people jam it into 4th a bit aggressively which doesn't help). Increasing the washer/spacing for the detent lowers the efforts and can be done from under the car without even draining the gearbox oil.

Overall the 5 speed have a few issues and have a bit of bad reputation but they can be improved and made to operate well with a bit of care.

[MarkDa]

Link still working this morning and car appears to still be for sale.
Vince Haydon!s been around for a good while so if still available would probaly be worth a look.

[RobinTR6]

Guys, thanks for the other offers but they are either too rich for my budget or require too much work. As it happens the Aussie deal looks to have fallen thru, had Vincent on phone this am, so looks like its available again so I'd better o look at....

[RobinTR6]

Haven't seen the red one but it's still up for sale. Went and saw one , blue with silver roof at Taylor's garage, Professionally resprayed recently and recommissioned at ?20k. Paint already showing signs of reaction with bubbles on bonnet. Looked quite good otherwise. Drivers door dropped, core plug and front pulley showing signs of oil leaks, doughnuts beginning to crack, front suspension tired and rusty and bushes all looking tired..so a no from me. Happily no rush time on my side.

[p.faurie]

I've spent more than 20k on my one and if I can only moan about bubbles on paint work and rusty bits underneath I'll be a happy bunny,go for it you won't be disappointed ,they are a great car

[JonB]

Agreed, great car if in good shape.

Problem with paint is it is famously expensive to have them resprayed (when done properly). So if the car you are considering has paint blemishes that annoy you, factor in another ?7-10k for a respray.