Lotus Elan +2 Zetec Spyder

[nickruss]

I'd like to share a few clips I threw together of this beautiful 1971 Plus 2S that's had a conversion using the Spydercars chassis and then brought up to standard by W.D. Wins in Wales. Took it for a test drive around the lanes and was blown away by the sound she makes, the handling and how grown up this little car felt.

Video: https://youtu.be/V24tZ0ya-p4

[john.p.clegg]

Gearbox?

5 minutes to set the w/wiper park position..

John

P.S.

That silly grin on your face will now be a regular feature...

[JonB]

So are you going to buy it?

[nickruss]

Jon - yes, I’ve put a deposit on her.

Thanks John - I’ll get the wipers and a few other niggles like the panel lights done before I pick it up hopefully start of Feb!

[john.p.clegg]

Personal choice, but get a 15" s/wheel on it, much better " road feel ".

John

[nickruss]

Personal choice, but get a 15" s/wheel on it, much better " road feel ".

John

I’d be able to see the instruments then too! Any links to recommended suppliers of 15”?

[RichardHawkins]

Jacob engineering in Huntley Gloucestershire make and sell reproduction steering wheels. If you are patient an original might come up for sale on this site.

Hope this helps,

Richard Hawkins

[pabbage]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ORIGINAL-LOT ... Sw7FFeIZiW

nothing to do with me but a wheel on eBay

[john.p.clegg]

Not for a '68 Plus2...much later....

John

[Rory_Jack]

Cracking looking car and what a great noise. I am building one at the moment so pleased to see it has a good engine noise.

[nickruss]

I purchased a full s/steel exhaust for the +2 Zetec Spyder from Spyder Engineering.

Just wondering what experiences anyone has had with regards fitting?

For quote an expensive bespoke piece of kit (£1300) it didn't fit as it arrived. The manifold clashed with the engine block and gearbox, the mid section doesn't line up and the water pipes need to be re-routed.

If anyone has any pictures on how they got theirs to fit, and if this is what to expect from the Spyder exhaust I'd be please to hear

Regards

Nick

[Rory_Jack]

Hi Nickruss,

It worked well with the kit I got. Have you called them discuss it?

Cheers Rory

[nickruss]

They offered to send it back to be re-bent, but that's not really convenient.

[mikealdren]

Sadly my experience of Spyder parts is similar, the front uprights didn't line up well with the callipers and the supplied pads ran outside the disk diameter, Greenstuff pads were a better fit at extra cost of course.

I've still not managed to fit the steel fuel lines through the body as the guides in the chassis are so far out of line. Similarly, I can't really take the chassis back for fitting! Has anyone done it?

Having said that, my replacement twincam manifold didn't fit well in 1981 and required some judicious bending.

[Rory_Jack]

I have always found the guys at spyder cars really helpful and patient with queries. At the end of the day they have gone out of their way to assist and explain what needs doing. I have also found that Lotus are not built like an Audi so you do have to work to get them to fit together.

As my dad (who left me the cars) said; gentle persuasion can be necessary!