First, go watch this video. Then come back here and write in the comments on how a car this low, this sleek, and this small could be considered a family car! This 1970 Lotus Elan +2 is listed for sale here on eBay, where early bidding has pushed the price over $8,000 and there’s no reserve, so a new owner will be found. The red beauty is currently located in Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Despite the diminutive size of the Elan +2, this is actually a revised and expanded version of the original Lotus Elan (7 inches wider chassis and a foot longer wheelbase!) so that a rear seat could be included and real people could fit inside. Okay, specifically so larger people could fit inside. If you are one of those <120-pound smaller folks, you could fit in the original car just fine. The +2 version, which was launched in 1967 (5 years after the original Elan) and intended to be the first “family” Lotus, has never been as loved as the two-seater, which is just fine with me as it’s much more affordable. The seller of this car points out both its good and bad features in the huge set of excellent quality pictures here and here and makes it clear in the eBay ad that the car isn’t truly sorted yet. Is it me, or are the front and rear wheels on the right side slightly different from each other? And what about the fender lip profile on the drivers’ side? What do you think?
I sat in an Elan +2 long enough to consider buying one about 20 years ago. While my late first wife wanted it badly as a daily driver at the time, we couldn’t quite swing the finances right away. While we were working on securing the money (about two weeks if I recall correctly) the car burned to the ground due to an electrical short one night while it was in the seller’s garage. Thankfully, no one was hurt, but we never re-contemplated purchasing an Elan after that.
This was the first attempt Lotus had made at a “luxury” interior, and even folks that don’t like the cars admire the beautiful dash design of the +2. This one will need some refinishing and there are a few non-stock gauges and switches. Unfortunately, this car does not have the air conditioning fitted to some of the +2 cars. Yes, unfortunately, because it can get pretty warm in there!
The Lotus twin-cam is somewhat handcuffed in this application by twin Stromberg CD175 carburetors, but a pair of sidedraft Weber or Dellorto carbs will fix that right up. Of course, as one of the very few Stromberg lovers on this earth, I’d leave them there. So what do you think of this “family car”? Be sure and comment about your Elan or Elan +2 experiences!
Beyond Internal Combustion to Spontaneous Combistion! standard Equipment on your new Lotus Elan!
Must be a flipper, doesn’t even know how to engage reverse (pull up, left, back). I suspect the lack of underside pics is not just being sloppy, the delicate frames on these are subject to corrosion, in fact they are a common replacement item. What is that gauge added by the driver’s right knee?
Looks like it’s all there though, good start for a project.
And I do love mine!
What a beauty! Too bad it was a certified POS.
Owned a few have you? Nah didn’t think so. I have. These are great little cars and well within reach, financially and technically, for DIY ownership and restoration.
the stromberg, on 62 alpine, was night & day superior to s.u….always worked…be blessed, gratedful, prepared…
Almost none of these cars had A/C, and never from the factory. These cars actually have decent ventilation. With a small engine, and central exhaust, heat is not a big issue. I’ve owned three of these.
I have driven one of these (1971 Elan +2/s-130) for 12 years now, though it mostly is for club meets and autocrossing these days. Right now, it’s getting the 5-speed upgrade that will make it suitable for highways at more than 60 mph without wailing at 4,000 rpm. I LOVE this car. And it attracts attention of interesting people without sucking in every Tom, Dick, and Harry at the drive-thru.
Cool car. Not for everybody. Always liked these in a metallic butterscotch color.
What’s with the wide rims on the front? If I’m selling a car, I’m covering those details.
Pretty color. Just one niggle with the article – you can’t just bolt on webers or dellorto carbs. Requires a new head and they are pricey.
It sounds to me like the car is running on 3 cylinders, not just the normal Lotus burble. Also smoking a bit which may just be valve guides or something a bit more sinister.
Needs a dash ($450-500) for sure. I’d want to see the frame as well…..
I’d say this one would need to be bought at the right price for sure, it could require quite a few dollars.
I’m always glad when someone calls these POS cars, chases away the faint-hearted and keeps the price down for actual owners. These cars are dead simple and very rewarding. They are 60s cars and yes, they are fairly highly tuned and built very lightly which always translates into more maintenance. Performance always comes at a price (money and/or time).
Stick with a 6-cyl Nova if you want something with minimal maintenance…..
This car is also listed on copart in michigan the pictures on that site shows the condition better. https://www.copart.com/lot/48080700/clean-title-1970-lotus-elan-mi-ionia