1973 Elan Plus 2

[MileHigh]

My girlfriend's father recently passed away and he had a 1973 Lotus Elan Plus 2. It is yellow with the silver top and the body seems in good condition. I can't look inside or under the hood as it's currently on a lift with a 1986 Porsche 944 under it. Apparently, the car hasn't been running in 10 plus years. I'm not sure if that is because something was wrong internally or just because he didn't have the time to work on the car.

My question here is - what is a fair price for a car like this? I'm going to try and see how many miles are on the car and see what service records may be available.

Thanks for the help...

[nwbaxter66]

There are some really active board members who are in your area and I am sure will chime in quite quickly with an answer and a request for photos.
Difficult question to answer about a vehicle that is suspended above the ground, so getting it on the ground is probably going to be the first challenge.
If you need a ballpark number, then I would suggest that you take a look at the classified section here and also www.bringatrailer.com has seen a fair number of Plus 2s sold in the past 4-5 years so that could give you a ballpark. Hemmings has seen a few and good old eBay always has a couple although they don't seem to sell often and finding the actual sale price is difficult.
Good luck with the project.
Nick

[nwbaxter66]

When you get into it look for the VIN, its probably going to be on the driver side dash under the windscreen or there may be a plate in the engine bay. Weber carbs or SUs is also a question asked, if you can find the engine number that is always seen as helpful.
Good luck
N

[MileHigh]

Nick - the VIN per the title is: 500302N. I'm going to take some pictures today and will post them later.

[mbell]

As complete ball park figures. I'd say a complete none driving car a needing light refreshment and no major issues is probably 10k-15K, something that is driving but needs some attention is probably $15-20K. Something that is ready to go, tidy and needs basically nothing significant is 20k$+.

Of course the value varies a lot on all sorts of factors (condition/history, exact model etc) and is ultimately decide buy the a market. The +2 market is very small in terms of buyers and cars in the US. So they can sell fast or not, patience might be required and value is likely determined by finding a truly interested buyer..

If you can post photos etc you might get some more feedback.

[Gordon Sauer]

Mine is 0306N so this one very close to mine and most likely one of the ones that came through the northeast distributor and had air conditioning put on as identified by a servo in the nose and one on the left side of the engine along with a raised alternator to make room for the compressor below it. It also should be a Stromberg with the bulge in the hood and have the more aircraft looking Dash with six gauges, the little ones. If the paint and roof are nice, way ahead on things and I’d start by seeing if the motor turns without putting electricity do anything. Gordon Sauer

[MileHigh]

Car shows 36,000 miles but not sure if it has rolled over. I don't believe that the car has been driven since 1981 so the mileage could be actual. A few minor spots of fiberglass webbing exist. Black interior looks in decent shape. Once I get the Porsche out from underneath, I can take some pictures of the engine.

[SGO 2F]

Here's the link to Lotus Colorado, the local group:

https://www.lotuscolorado.com/officers-and-volunteers

They were very helpful to me back in 1990 when I got my 1967 Elan +2.

Cheers,

Richard

[Gordon Sauer]

Interior looks fantastic, six gauge Dash and depending on what the motor does looks like it could be at the top of any pricing bracket, Gordon Sauer

[MileHigh]

I believe that the mileage is original at 36,177 as I have found some paperwork from when he bought the car from the original owner. I have a stack of receipts noting engine work that was done in 1980 showing the miles at 35,827.

I have the original bill of sale showing the options as power windows and brakes, electric rear defroster, AM/FM radio and fog lights.

Lotus +2S 130
Serial number 50/0302N
Engine 27304
$6475.00 was the sales price

[MileHigh]

More pictures are on this google drive link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/ ... sp=sharing

Thanks to Glenn M for noting that the driver side half shaft is missing. It may be in the trunk or inside the car.

Car is certainly for sale at this point...

[mbell]

Looks good starting point for project, but hard to asses the paint in the dusty photos.

Looks like a late Federal version (N serial number, with dual booster and EVAP system).

I think you should advertise it, there is a for sale section here and maybe few other places, and just be patient for the right buyer to come along.

[The Veg]

Am I correct to assume that the car is no longer in Cobb County Georgia? Pity if that's the case, because Cobb is in my metro area and I could put experienced eyes on it if it was there.

[Ross Robbins]

Hi Mile Hi,

My name is Ross Robbins and I live in Colorado Springs, am a past President of Lotus Colorado and a big fan and owner of Elans. I currently have three, one of which is a Plus 2, my third. I would love to see your car and perhaps help with getting it back on the road for you or sold to a worthy home if you don't want to keep it. I can be reached at lotusross at comcast dot net or (3O3) 923-8I38