Lotus Elan +2
09-22-2009, 05:00 AM
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Lotus Elan +2
One of these has recently been offered for sale to me.
1968 on a G plate.
The car has been partly restored: full respray (15 years ago) , engine rebuild, etc. but the car has been off the road since due to the owner dying and the car was kept in storage.
The car is complete apart from needing a radiator and headlamp bezels and the interior trim needs refitting.
No splitting or cracking to any body panels but would obviously benefit from a good polish.
Chassis in good condition with no evidence of the munch monsters being at work.
I am expecting the usual issues relating to the car having been stood for so long: brakes, clutch, etc.
Just wondering if anyone has any experience of these cars and related issues.
I have checked the usual forums and over heating and electrical faults seem to be the main issues along with rotting chassis'.
Any advice from those in the know would be appreciated.
Ta.
1968 on a G plate.
The car has been partly restored: full respray (15 years ago) , engine rebuild, etc. but the car has been off the road since due to the owner dying and the car was kept in storage.
The car is complete apart from needing a radiator and headlamp bezels and the interior trim needs refitting.
No splitting or cracking to any body panels but would obviously benefit from a good polish.
Chassis in good condition with no evidence of the munch monsters being at work.
I am expecting the usual issues relating to the car having been stood for so long: brakes, clutch, etc.
Just wondering if anyone has any experience of these cars and related issues.
I have checked the usual forums and over heating and electrical faults seem to be the main issues along with rotting chassis'.
Any advice from those in the know would be appreciated.
Ta.
09-22-2009, 05:49 AM
#2
No experience.
But DO ensure that all the trim bits are there; they are nuch rarer than an Elan as they are less sought-after, so missing bits will be a PIA.
IIRC, the early cars used a Ford/Lotus engine, not the later Vauxhall/Lotus shared with the Jensen-Healey. Those are very rare and very unreliable - the later Vx/Lotus 907 was much improved.
But DO ensure that all the trim bits are there; they are nuch rarer than an Elan as they are less sought-after, so missing bits will be a PIA.
IIRC, the early cars used a Ford/Lotus engine, not the later Vauxhall/Lotus shared with the Jensen-Healey. Those are very rare and very unreliable - the later Vx/Lotus 907 was much improved.
09-22-2009, 07:12 AM
#3
A very good friend has a plus 2 130 which he has had for over 10 years. It was the subject of a major rebuild before he bought it - new chassis and new body - so not comparable to what you're looking at...
He regularly goes to Le Mans in it and whilst not as reliable as a modern car, his ownership has been relatively painless.
As Nick says, it's essential all the trim is compete with the car as this is problematic to obtain to say the least. The front indicator/sidelights are from a Duple coach, the windscreen and associated trim is from a Consul Capri, the radiator aperture trim is from a Thames van (albeit inverted on the plus 2) - and the front bumper is a cut-and-shut of a Anglia bumper.
The Lotus-head Ford engines are OK if set-up well (ignition is an issue and the Solex carb's need a deft touch). Until recently the heads themselves were getting very rare, but these are being remanufactured now - a cool
He regularly goes to Le Mans in it and whilst not as reliable as a modern car, his ownership has been relatively painless.
As Nick says, it's essential all the trim is compete with the car as this is problematic to obtain to say the least. The front indicator/sidelights are from a Duple coach, the windscreen and associated trim is from a Consul Capri, the radiator aperture trim is from a Thames van (albeit inverted on the plus 2) - and the front bumper is a cut-and-shut of a Anglia bumper.
The Lotus-head Ford engines are OK if set-up well (ignition is an issue and the Solex carb's need a deft touch). Until recently the heads themselves were getting very rare, but these are being remanufactured now - a cool
09-22-2009, 12:57 PM
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Originally Posted by Nick Graves,Sep 22 2009, 01:49 PM
IIRC, the early cars used a Ford/Lotus engine, not the later Vauxhall/Lotus shared with the Jensen-Healey. Those are very rare and very unreliable - the later Vx/Lotus 907 was much improved.
Yep, this car has the Ford X flow block with Lotus twin cam head
Luckily, a mate has 2 Lotus Cortinas and a shed load of mechanicals so sourcing mechanical bits for the engine shouldn't be such an issue.
09-22-2009, 01:02 PM
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Originally Posted by Polemicist,Sep 22 2009, 03:12 PM
As Nick says, it's essential all the trim is compete with the car as this is problematic to obtain to say the least. The front indicator/sidelights are from a Duple coach, the windscreen and associated trim is from a Consul Capri, the radiator aperture trim is from a Thames van (albeit inverted on the plus 2) - and the front bumper is a cut-and-shut of a Anglia bumper.
FYI the latter 5-speed versions used an Austin Maxi gear cluster!
FYI the latter 5-speed versions used an Austin Maxi gear cluster!
All the trim bits are there but the car does need building up and recomissioning.
Typical Colin Chapman and Lotus when it comes to scavenging bits for their cars.
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