Lotus Elan +2S

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The Lotus Elan was a brilliant machine that redefined sports car dynamics when it was launched in 1962, a lightweight marvel against whose handling all others would be measured for decades.

The all-independent suspension on a backbone chassis was the stuff of genius and makes the indifferent fit and finish of the glassfibre bodies almost irrelevant. The Series 3 fixed head Coupe arrived the year before its soft-top brother. In line with Lotus’s intention to move upmarket and justify higer prices, build quality was improved over the earlier Elans, and the Coupé came with a smarter dashboard and frames for the door windows to greatly reduce wind noise. The windows themselves were now electrically operated.

That upmarket move was continued in 1967 when a new Elan 2+2 joined the range which offered more comfort in a classic GT format. From 1969 a +2S version was available which raised the power from 118bhp to 126bhp. Light, powerful and with sensational handling, it proved an immense commercial success for Lotus, slightly fewer than 9,000 Elans of all types being produced by the time production ceased in 1973 of which 3,300 were 2+2 models.

First registered in January 1969, this +2S has covered only 69,000 miles from new with a good file of history to warrant this. In 2011 the engine was rebuilt since when it has only covered some 4,000 miles. In 2012 it was treated to a full body restoration, the whole process documented in photos on file.

A new Spyder chassis has also been fitted along with solid drive shafts, a new wiring loom and a new dash. More recently it has just been treated to a new cylinder head, new brakes including the servo, new door hinges, new high torque starter motor and a new battery.

Supplied with a large history file and an MOT until August 2019 with no advisories recorded, it is said to drive as well as it looks and is just the sort of toy that any true petrolhead would love to have in their garage.