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Lotus Elan +2S 130/5

Lotus Elan +2S 130/5Lotus Elan +2S 130/5Lotus Elan +2S 130/5Lotus Elan +2S 130/5Lotus Elan +2S 130/5
Lotus Elan +2S 130/5Lotus Elan +2S 130/5Lotus Elan +2S 130/5Lotus Elan +2S 130/5Lotus Elan +2S 130/5
Lotus Elan +2S 130/5Lotus Elan +2S 130/5
Lot number 24
Hammer value £12,000
Description Lotus Elan +2S 130/5
Registration CVN 333L
Year 1973
Colour Bronze/Silver
Engine size 1,558 cc
Chassis No. 73011140L
Engine No. P29060

Lotus launched a legend in 1962, the Lotus Elan. Following on from the previous Elite model, the new Elan offered improved handling and performance and had a less fragile feel to its overall design. It was the first Lotus road car to use the now famous steel backbone chassis with a fibreglass body. 

At 1,500lb all up, the Elan embodied the Colin Chapman 'less is more' design philosophy, paring weight to a minimum in a quest for the ultimate driving experience. Below the bonnet sat an engine that would become a legend in its own right, the Lotus-Ford twin-cam with a Cosworth alloy head which went on to power other classic Lotus models including the Cortina sports saloons.

Initially the Elan came as an open two seater but from 1964 a fixed-head coupe was also available, and in 1967 a new Elan 2+2 joined the range which offered more comfort in a classic GT format. Considered by many to be the ultimate variant, the 130/5 was unveiled in October 1972. Powered by a 130bhp 'Big Valve' version of the twin-cam engine mated to a new five-speed manual gearbox, it was capable of 121mph and 0-60mph in 7.4 seconds.

This particular +2S 130/5 dates from 1973 and has had just four owners from new, the current registered keeper acquiring it way back in 1984. Bills on file indicate that the car was substantially restored at around 55,000 miles in 1985 when a new chassis was also fitted. A new clutch kit was fitted December 2003 and the gearbox rebuilt in March 2004.

Between April 2011 and July 2012 the bodywork and the interior was restored by Vincent Haydon Lotus specialists of Lymington, a note in the file stating that this cost over £25,000 and included painting the roof in striking metal-flake silver. Lotus specialist Paul Matty of Bromsgrove appears to have completed this work in October 2012 at a cost of another £2,000.

Now with some 78,000 miles on the clock and appearing to be in excellent condition throughout, the car is currently MOTd until September 2013 and comes with many old MOTs and bills back to the early 1980s and the original Lotus service book.

 

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