Registration: LFL445L
Chassis: 72080850L
Odometer: 83,000
Transmission: Manual
MOT: Exempt

• Comprehensive ‘body off’ mechanical restoration completed 3 years ago
• Top end engine rebuild
• Many new parts
• Only 5 previous owners
• A very original example

The Elan +2 series, launched in 1967, extended the spirit of the lightweight and agile Elan into a more practical 2+2 configuration aimed at a slightly more upscale market. The +2S 130 version featured the powerful 126 bhp “Big Valve” twin-cam engine developed by Lotus in collaboration with Ford, offering improved performance and long-distance touring capability. The “S” in its name stood for “Special Equipment,” indicating enhancements such as power windows, improved trim, and optional metallic paint.

We are grateful to the vendor for the following information:-

A very original car from the Co-Op stamp found when cleaning the interior, to the colour coded hubs to identify their correct sides and the original Lucas fog lights, this Elan has been treated to a ‘body off’ restoration. The result is a mechanically sorted very usable machine and two distinct approaches were taken to this process; the mechanical side of things involved a virtual nut and bolt strip down with the replacement of any part found to be in less than optimum condition while the body and interior were for the most part thoroughly refurbished, cleaned and polished as required. This whole process has been detailed in a photo and video file containing over four hundred items, included with the paperwork, along with a Lotus Workshop Manual.

Once the body had been separated from the chassis, the chassis was stripped completely and found to be in excellent order, requiring just a good clean and repaint.

The front suspension was treated to a full rebuild with new wheel bearings, track-rod ends, trunnions with inserts and ball joints. The steering rack was overhauled by Kiley-Clinton utilising a quicker ratio rack and pinion with the column receiving a new flexi-coupling and bushes. The nearside vertical link was found to be too worn to re-use so it was replaced with a new Tony Thompson item. Bushes were carefully selected depending on their purpose and influence on both feel and refinement – standard for the wishbone bushes, Powerflex for the shock absorbers, anti-roll bar mounts and their drop links.

Much the same tactic was applied at the rear; new standard specification wishbone bushes and Lotacones with Powerflex versions for the tie rod bushes. New inner and outer hub bearings were fitted and the shock absorbers were tested by Leda on their ‘dyno’ and found to be working perfectly – dyno sheet on file. Naturally, while the suspension was disassembled the wishbones were thoroughly cleaned, prepared and repainted.

The engine had a top end strip down and aside from needing a thorough clean out of the oil and water ways, it was found to be in very good shape though the opportunity to lap the valves in was taken just to ensure it was spot on. New parts aplenty were required such as water pump O-rings, all full set of gaskets, hoses, a fuel pump, thermostat and temperature sender. The carburettors were overhauled with genuine Weber kits and a new fuel line from the tank (in E10 compatible nylon) was installed along with a Malpassi Filter King fuel filter. The ignition system was treated to a new set of points, condenser, distributor cap and plug leads.

The relatively unstressed gearbox and differential were checked for play and found to be in great shape along with the recently fitted clutch which was found to be less than 20% worn. Expenditure in this area was hence limited to a new clutch master cylinder and rebuild kit for the slave cylinder plus a new flexible pipe to connect them. A fresh release bearing was fitted with new clips and D ring while the rear oil seal and that for the speedometer drive were renewed. The front prop-shaft universal joint was felt to be a little notchy so it was replaced (a quick and easy task) while the differential required new output shaft bearings and seals (not so quick and easy). Tony Thompson Racing solid drive-shafts with weatherproof rubber gaiters were also fitted so the new owner won’t have to worry about replacing the rubber donuts.

The braking system was completely refurbished - the callipers taken off and sent, with the servo, to renowned specialists Classicar Automotive, returned looking better than new. These were then teamed with new discs and pads (including those for the handbrake), Goodridge flexible brake hoses and outboard rigid pipes. The master cylinder was overhauled with new seals and new handbrake linkages were fitted.

Other bits include a new stainless steel silencer and main pipe, front seat rubber diaphragms, battery, horn, door mirrors, seat belt mounting plates and a rear light lens. The re-chromed front and rear bumpers that came with the car were fitted and good second hand number plate lights were sourced and fitted. Obviously new oils, fluids and filters were used throughout.

The wheels have been freshly powder coated and new tyres fitted all round.

As previously mentioned, this was a restoration in two parts, the second being the body and its contents. The strategy here was to gently refurbish the paintwork and interior with a target end result of a smart and useable machine that one could actually drive and enjoy.

Externally, the body itself is in remarkably good condition with but one 10p piece sized area of hard to spot crazing on the bonnet. There is some micro-blistering to the paint in places but the panel gaps are very good (remembering it’s a Lotus). With the larger chrome parts (front and rear bumpers) freshly refinished, they really lift the overall impression of the car and even the smaller items such as door handles, boot hinges and light surrounds are acceptable. As is often the case on Plus 2s, the chrome radiator intake surround is missing, though these are readily available. The lightly tinted windscreen has a little delamination in the corners and the rear rubber screen seal is a bit perished. The wheels are all nicely presented with sharp-looking chrome rings. Inside, the oatmeal trim and carpets are remarkably original, with slight staining to the headlining and some cracking to the dashboard varnish. The vendor advises us that all the dials work, as do the electric windows, headlights and even the door lights.

The car comes with V5C, a hefty bundle of invoices for parts and maintenance and a large workshop manual. There is also a pen-drive with restoration photos and videos.

The Lotus experience has always been about the driving and this car’s recent mechanical restoration should mean that it is fighting fit, possibly better than when it left the factory. It has fired up eagerly whilst with us and performed nicely on our short drive. Cosmetically, there are some areas that could be improved, taking the car to the next level, but even if you did nothing to it, this Elan is a car you could be rightly proud to take to any meet or show.