5 speed? How can i tell??

[tedtaylor]

I have a '71 (titled '72) Elan Plus2 "S", and cannot determine how to know if it is a 4 or 5 speed?
the car runs, but not driving, so I cannot use the clutch to shift gears, however while sitting in my driveway, i'm able to seemingly shift into 6 positions.
is there a definitive way to ascertain this?
please advise.
thanks
TED

[vincereynard]

The gaiter on the gearlevr is different. This is a 5 speed -

If you can see underneath the 5 speed has an alloy casing / 4 speed iron.
5 speed box -

[pharriso]

Ted, no Federal cars were supplied with the Lotus 5 speed box.

Look underneath, do you see the regular gearbox (same as your Sprint), or the large ali castings of the Lotus 5 speed? Other possibilities would be conversion to a T9 or MT75...

[pharriso]

Just looked at your pictures - definitely not the Lotus 5 speed box

Your build date is February 1971. Lotus 5 Speed box came out in October 1972 on the S130 model in the UK.

S130 (big valve Sprint engine) was introduced in January 1971, must have been later for federal cars.

[tedtaylor]

OK, thanks all..... I was prematurely getting excited, but double checking, the reverse is still a "lift and left/down" arrangement, so my other shifting positions are only the "H" pattern of the 4 speed.
sorry...