Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Just bought a +2 elan and thought i better post up.
its been in a garage most of tis lift and has come to me without an engine.
Im looking at zetec conversions....

Wheres the chassis number?

wow, what an ambitious project you have there indeed!
should be an aluminum VIN plate on the fender well/fire wall area under hood. not sure if Plus2 frames got a number stamp or not. others will chime in i'm sure. good luck to you!

Chassis number should be near exhaust manifold if lotus item. Spyder is on front vacuum tank.. don't use this in any DVLA correspondence. Vin plate as mentioned should have same info. There are other places on the shell that will also help.

Welcome Adam, can't wait to see your progress!

Have a look at places like inside the roof or the backs of the doors etc, often you will find the Unit/body number written in black marker.

Welcome Adam,

I am also based in Dundee with a +2, need a hand gimme a shout.

Innes

Got the chassis number, and found a number on the body on the bonnet aperture.
I need to do some research about getting it registered,

went to pick up some more spares the week, got the dash with all instruments, steering column, another bonnet and a few other pieces, including a decent looking mohair soft top (that i don't actually need)
included with this lot was a crossflow engine, so some number searching to be done.

tonight i took the front seats out, one has cleaned up fine the other needs a bit more love as it looks like resin has been spilt on it.

Innes, good to see another local, will be in touch as the project progresses.

It looks as if you`re going to be spending a huge amount of time and considerable expense restoring this car. Personally, I`d recommend spending a bit more and get a proper twincam engine rather than a Zetec. You would add considerably more value than the cost. +2 values are only going to go up and it will be the original spec. cars that lead the way, in my view.
Jim

jimj wrote:It looks as if you`re going to be spending a huge amount of time and considerable expense restoring this car. Personally, I`d recommend spending a bit more and get a proper twincam engine rather than a Zetec. You would add considerably more value than the cost. +2 values are only going to go up and it will be the original spec. cars that lead the way, in my view.
Jim

I've thought about this, but the cost of the twin-cam some what puts me off, im not into the car very much (cost wise) at all intend to do the work myself.

Managed to get sorted with regards to registration.
have been looking at the bodywork the last couple of days, it does seem to be rather sound but I've been going over the stress fractures. ( mainly in the rear arches) I think this could be doing to the car being moved about (pushed and pulled) Have started remedial action regardless.

I'm Missing the back window, are these available in glass or will I have to go down the plastic route?

I've also noticed when looking at spares that there are "early" and "late" cars, when does an early car stop being early? (what year)

still keen to go down the Zetec route, purely for the costs involved. Unless anybody has a twin-cam they don't want?

Adam_R wrote:Managed to get sorted with regards to registration.
<Snip>
I'm Missing the back window, are these available in glass or will I have to go down the plastic route?
<Snip>

My rear screen was badly scratched, I replaced it with one of these:

https://www.plastics4performance.com/lo ... creen.html

Great quality and only half the weight.

Change points on the Lotus Plus 2 are many and varied - take a look at this post for details:
lotuselan-plus2-f51/originality-chart-help-required-t43324.html
HTHs
Matt

Been a couple of years. Thought about selling it but decided to drag it to the front of the garage and crack on.

So far I've lifted the body off to check the chassis out, all appear to be relatively sound, I'm pleased to report that a previous owner had wax oiled and undersealed it.
There are however a couple of places to rectify but nothing I'm too concerned with.
Will probably be asking a few questions over the coming weeks.