+2 Shooting Brake production numbers

[h20hamelan]

?
More than 3

[Chrispy]

I hope not!

[alan.barker]

I think there is only 1 Plus Two shooting Break by Paul Matty.
For the Elanbulance i don't know.
Alan

[trw99]

Here is an article on Plus 2 estates I wrote for Club Lotus News magazine in 2018.

Tim

[alan.barker]

Thanks Tim,
i had forgotten about the others and just remember the Paul Matty article in a motoring magazine.
Must be old age creeping up on me.
For sure the Paul Matty one for me seems the best result.
Alan

[DJW]

Seen that one at PM quite a few times over last few years.

[jabingb]

Here is an article on Plus 2 estates I wrote for Club Lotus News magazine in 2018.

Tim

Tim,
Very nice compilation of these unusual creations, had no idea there were so many variations until I read your article!

[gus]

The Matty car is a pretty nice piece of work. Might make different visual decisions but to each his own
Were I trying to make a +2 more useful, I would lower/move/ rearrange the fuel tank so you can pass through with seats folded down. The shooting brake adds so little storage, and no real passenger room to be worth the visuals.

[HCA]

Yes, +1 to a great article. I think I saw a Matty one once and liked it.

I do love looking at designer sketches of what is in their head compared to the actual car, where I guess there was always a 'ooar, you can't 'ave this that way lad' engineer to pull it all straight. I do like Ron Hickman's sketch - that would look really good - awesome is the word - if it were real

[alan.barker]

Hi Gus,
i agree with that. The fact that 1969/70 +2S already had the folding seats half the job had been already done.
A fuel Tank at a low level like in the Elan and it's weight when full would be better.
On my TVR 3000S there is a lockable Door through to the Boot which is very handy.
So the +2 could have been "fold down the seats then open/unlock the Door" through to the Boot.
With no Fuel Tank in the way sloshing Fuel all over the rear Wing
Alan

[DJW]

Could always do the mx5 mod for fuel spillage. Mine was a nightmare before, now perfect.

[alan.barker]

Yes,
exactly low Fuel Tank = no problem.
I wonder who at Lotus decided to put the Fuel Tank imho in a stupid position.
Already with the 2 people there is a weight distribution problem and to add to that the weight of a full Fuel Tank sooo high.
I'm ready to listen if there is a logical reason
Alan

[prezoom]

Rear end collision protection. Most cars today have the fuel tank well forward, some below the rear seat. Recall the Ford Pinto rear end collision fires.

[alan.barker]

But what about the Fuel Tank at the bottom of Boot in an Elan S4 or Sprint for example which was produced after the first +2 cars. The S4 and Sprints needed Type Approval also with the Fuel Tank at the bottom of the Boot.
"M" Series TVRs also have the Fuel Tank at back of Boot well exposed
Alan

[mbell]

How big is an elan tank?

The +2 is more targeted at daily use and touring so needs a decent sized tank. The storage under the floor is pretty limited when you allow for the spare wheel, exhaust, battery etc so would be hard to get a good sized tank there.