1971 Lotus Elan +2S 130/4 |

Closed Auction- Unsold

1971 Lotus Elan +2S 130/4

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Mileage~22,922 on clock
TransmissionManual
Engine1.6L
LocationFreshwater, Isle of Wight

Market Auction

The seller has supplied the images and written the description - we have actioned seller ID, V5 and HPi checks - learn more

Market Auction

The seller has supplied the images and written the description - we have actioned seller ID, V5 and HPi checks - learn more

AUCTION CLOSED

1971 Lotus Elan +2S 130/4

Introduction

The Lotus Elan Plus 2 has the most beautiful lines which still look current over 50 years on. For its time, it had stunning performance and handling and was a highly desirable sports car.

I have owned the car for nearly 10 years and have enjoyed working on it and simply looking at it. I consider it to be almost a work of art. Now in my seventies, working on it and getting in and out of it are getting a bit harder. I don't use it very much, having covered less than 1,000 miles in the time I've owned it. I think it's time to let someone else have ownership.

This listing was written from information supplied by XXXXX after meeting XXXXX the owner, and having visited and photographed the vehicle.

Market Auction

Richard, the seller, has created this listing themselves using our free Market Auction tool. Unlike our Curated Auctions, we haven’t photographed the car or written the listing, however we have completed 3 important security checks for your peace of mind.

V5C Checked

Richard provided a copy of the V5C logbook, which we verified against his photo ID for name and address confirmation.

ID Checked

Richard provided his photo ID, which we verified against the name and address on the V5C logbook.

History Checked

History check actioned using HPi, the industry’s top verification service, for finance, write-offs, and stolen records.

V5C Checked

Josh provided a copy of the V5C logbook, which we verified against his photo ID for name and address confirmation.

ID Checked

Josh provided his photo ID, which we verified against the name and address on the V5C logbook.

History Checked

History check actioned using HPi, the industry’s top verification service, for finance, write-offs, and stolen records.

Exterior
Interior
Mechanics
History
All Images

EXTERIOR VIDEO

Exterior

In the current world of modern ugly cars, this stands out as a rare beauty. The colour combination of red and silver against the chrome looks gorgeous. The car gets many admiring comments even though there are minor defects described below.

Wheels and Tyres

The car is fitted with Minilite alloy wheels with Toyo 600F5 185/60 R14 82H tyres which have very little wear. The polished wheel rims have some patches of corrosion under the laquer which could be remedied by an alloy wheel refurbisher. There is an unused Minilite wheel for a spare, but currently has no tyre fitted.

Bodywork

The bodywork is generally pretty good. There are one or two spider cracks, mainly round the headlamp pods and a small chip in the opening edge of the driver's door. The original Lotus chassis has been replaced by a previous owner by a Spyder chassis, which are generally considered far superior to the Lotus offering.

The chassis is still in a good solid condition. I have replaced the sills for new stainless steel ones. I have also replaced the rear bumper, the front bumper is in excellent condition. There is some slight pitting in the chromework on the sidelight and rear light cluster surrounds.

Paint

The main detriment are microblisters, predominantly in the silver roof, which I have tried to show in the photographs. There are a number of small scratches and chips on close inspection, but fortunately they don't rust on a fibre-glass car!

If you want a car that looks like it has just left the factory, then it needs to be resprayed. If you're happy with a car that looks pretty smart which can be used regularly without fretting, leave it as is. The car comes with a Coverdale bespoke, Lotus logo'd dust cover, which sets it off nicely in the garage!

Glass and Trim

The glass is all good, no cracks or chips. However, the rear screen would once have been heated, but must have been replaced along the way with a plain screen. I have used the heated screen switch to power the electric fuel pump, which should fool any potential car thieves.

I have re-bonded the windscreen in order to fit a new chrome surround. The electric windows are very lethargic to raise and sometimes need a bit of assistance. The rear screen rubber has gone hard with age and allows an odd drip of water through when washing the car. A replacement rubber seal costs about £30 and I have a new chrome-coloured plastic filler strip for the seal.

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INTERIOR VIDEO

Interior

The car has a wonderful classic dashboard; walnut with lots of gauges and switches. Beautiful!

Seats and Carpets

I always thought that the original front seats never suited the car. They looked as though they came from a saloon car and had no side support or head restraints. When the foam started disintegrating I replaced them with classic sports car bucket seats which are much more comfortable and look better proportioned. They don't tilt forward for access to the rear seats, but as the rear seats are just about useless, I don't find this an issue. The rear seats, however, are in pretty good condition.

The carpets have all been replaced recently.

Dashboard

I have replaced the dashboard and it looks lovely. All the gauges work, apart from the clock. I did manage to get it going, but it packed up again a few days later, so I gave up. The radio is pretty useless, but I doubt you would hear it anyway above the induction roar of the two twin-choke Webbers.

Steering Wheel / Gear Stick

I believe the steering wheel is the original. It had a very thin rim which I found uncomfortable, so I have fitted a rim glove to fatten it up. The gear stick has the original wooden knob. Note this is the 4 speed gearbox which has a lovely precise gear change; much better than the 5 speed box.

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'ON THE ROAD' VIDEO

Mechanics

Here's a classic sportscar where rust isn't an issue. If you like the sound of induction roar, this is the car for you.

Engine and Gearbox

The engine starts and runs fine, although a bit smoky when cold. It has had electronic ignition fitted in the past. I have fitted a new clutch and release bearing, new big-end and main crankshaft bearings, timing chain, water pump, ring gear and exhaust manifold. The entire exhaust system is stainless steel. The mechanical fuel pump has been replaced with an electric one, along with a fuel pressure regulator and safety cut-out switch (in the boot).

The gearbox is good with a very smooth gear change. The differential has had new oil seals fitted. New clutch master and slave cylinders have been fitted.

Suspension and Brakes

The brakes have been comprehensively overhauled with new disks all round, new brake pipes. The callipers have been refurbished with new pads, pistons and seals. The brake servo has been replaced.

The suspension all appears to be in good order.

The Drive

Starting an Elan with Webber carbs is a little unusual because it isn't recommended to use the choke. The accelerator is pressed 2 or 3 times then the engine usually fires first time. It might die a couple of times, but usually it runs on the second or third attempt. The throttle needs to be blipped for a couple of minutes until the engine warms slightly, then it ticks over OK.

The clutch is light and operates smoothly. The gear change is precise and operates beautifully. There is no power steering so steering is heavy at parking speed, but soon lightens up when moving. Steering is then precise and responsive with plenty of feedback.

The car corners like it is on rails, due largely to the suspension design that was well ahead of its time. This is not a quiet car; there is significant induction roar from the carburettors, but it is a raw and involving car to drive and easily keeps pace with most modern cars. The brakes are really good being disks all round and servo assisted.

Electrics and Other

The electrics are all working, apart from the clock. I have replaced all the relays and quite a few connectors. Be aware that the headlamps are the original sealed-beam units and are not very good by modern day standards, but I have only driven it once in the dark. As they are a standard size, more modern units are available.

The headlamps are vacuum operated and lifting them switches on both headlamps and sidelights. However, lowering them only switches off the headlamps and not the sidelights. They have to be switched off with the rocker switch on the dashboard. This is not a fault, but a quirk of the Elan.

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History and Paperwork

The history is pretty comprehensive with receipts and MOT certificates over much of the life of the car.

There is a file of maintenance documents dating back to the 70s which will be supplied with the car. I have photographed and included the last 10 years worth during my time of ownership. I have photographed and included all the test certificates I have, which mainly cover the period 1977 - 2001 when an MOT was required, although there is one for 2015. Please note that the mileage recorded in 1986 was 77,030 miles then the following year it was just 33 miles. I assume that the speedometer was rebuilt or replaced that year, so the current recorded mileage of 22,922 is really more like 100,000 miles in total.

As above, there are receipts and invoices dating back to the 70s.

Included in the sale are: Genuine Lotus workshop manual, Coverdale bespoke dust cover, chrome-coloured plastic filler for rear window seal, new oil filter, 2 sets of seviceable spark plugs - medium and cold running (the car is currently running on hot plugs).

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From Trade Classics:

This is a Market Auction listing, meaning we have not visited and photographed the car - instead the seller has supplied the images and written the description. However we’ve done all our usual seller checks, including photo ID that matches the V5, and also actioned a history check on the vehicle - this is a professional check operated by HPi that will highlight if the car has been previously stolen, recorded as being in an accident, or have any outstanding finance - note, this does not include a mileage history check.

Viewings are welcomed, so please get in touch with us via the 'contact us' page - we just need to speak to you first on the phone, have you register on the site, and also send in valid photo ID before confirming a suitable time to visit.

Like all our auctions, if there's anything you're unsure about, no matter how small, then please first ask the owner in the comments area below before placing your bids, as bids can't be retracted and form a binding contract if you win the car - the Buyer's Premium is not refundable in any instance, just like a traditional auction house.

Key Details

ModelElan plus 2 S130
TransmissionManual
Reg. Date1971
CC1558
Mileage22,922 on clock
ColourRed
Interior ColourBlack
Interior TrimVinyl
Chassis #7108120444L
Engine #P24897
Former Keepers9
Sale TypePrivate
Owned~10 years
Vehicle RegistrationgbJ 45k
Driver’s SideRHD
Fuel TypePetrol
Body TypeCoupe
Auction ID20022

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All Images

All Videos

Vehicle Location

Freshwater, Isle of Wight

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Auction Closed

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This car didn't meet its reserve price and may soon be available as a private sale - please contact us for more information.

Ask Questions

Seller : Richard

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15 Comments

DamoKav

23 days ago

Excuse my ignorance from what is probably apparent to others from the photos and from your response below on originality. I was wondering if the drive shafts have the old rubber donuts or have you fitted universal CV joint alternatives that everyone on the Lotus owners forum recommends? Are you on the owners forum where I’ve been a member for many years?

Richard

Seller

DamoKav

23 days ago

Hi, no I’m not on the forum. The car has the Spyder solid drive shafts which replace the rubber donuts. These have a universal joint at the end of each shaft rather than a CV joint, but do pretty much the same thing. They get rid of the donuts which caused common failures on the Elan.

DamoKav

Richard

21 days ago

Thanks Richard, I didn’t know about that as I’ve only looked at +2s with the original chassis. I’ll keep bidding and worry about collecting logistics if I’m lucky enough to win.

MarkB2025

24 days ago

Hi Richard, she a lovely car! Please would you confirm that’s she’s road worthy and can be used straight away? I contacted trade classics as I live in South East London, as they don’t provide full transportation service would you be willing to deliver the car to Southampton ? From Southampton they would then deliver it. Also, just to check do you have a reserve in mind or is it being sold with ‘no reserve’? Kind regards, Mark

Richard

Seller

MarkB2025

24 days ago

Hi Mark, yes she’s roadworthy and can be used straight away, although she could do with a professional tune on a rolling road. Bear in mind that like many cars of this era you need to run on E5 petrol and use lead replacement additive. I’m willing to deliver to the mainland, Lymington would be preferred, but I could do Southampton. Just bear in mind that the Southampton ferry is run by Red Funnel and their recent reliability has been pretty poor. Wightlink is better and they run ferries to Lymington or Portsmouth. There is a reserve set, but Trade Classics do ask sellers not to disclose it. However, we are currently some way off it.

David F

1 month ago

Hi Richard,
Thanks for the reply.
I would like to call ,can I have your number please.
Regards David

ColinB

Admin

David F

1 month ago

Hi David,

If you could send an email to hello@tradeclassics.com we just need to do couple of check first before we can give out any personal details privately.

Thanks,
Colin.

StuKen

1 month ago

Hi can I come and view the car. and I call you or you me to discuss?
thanks Stuart

Richard

Seller

StuKen

1 month ago

No problem, but you need to make arrangements via Trade Classics. If you make arrangements to view, I can pick you up, preferrably from Yarmouth. I’m happy to discuss by phone, but please contact Trade Classics for authorisation.

ColinB

Admin

StuKen

1 month ago

Hi Stuart,

We can help arrange a viewing for you, if you could send an email to hello@tradeclassics.com as there’s a couple of checks we need to do first.

Thanks,
Colin.

David F

1 month ago

Hi,
Can you confirm the last time it had a Mot was 10yrs ago?
The photo of the front axel on the drivers side, what is the grey material ,is it metal putty ?
How far do you live from the Yarmouth ferry terminal?

Kind Regards David

Richard

Seller

David F

1 month ago

The last MOT was 10 years ago, just before I purchased the car. I’m not sure how it passed because the brakes and electrics were awful, but have now been fully overhauled. There is, of course, currently no legal requirement for an MOT for a historic vehicle.
The grey material you refer to is on the chassis front cross member which acts as the vacuum reservoir for the headlamp actuators. This was done by a previous owner and I don’t know why. It could be a spillage from some other repair, or more likely a small leak in the reservoir. It has the appearance of epoxy resin or metal putty. I’ve made no attempt to discover why it’s there or try to hide it as it doesn’t seem to be causing a problem. The vacuum for the headlamps is working perfectly.

justwing

1 month ago

Hello. Do you still have the original front seats? Thanks.

Richard

Seller

justwing

1 month ago

Sorry, I don’t. We had a long distance house move 5 years ago and I couldn’t justify transporting many of the bits I’d accumulated for the car.

For the avoidance of doubt, for anyone after a totally original car, the following parts to my knowledge are not original Lotus:
Chassis (Spyder), drive shafts (Spyder), brake servo (Lockheed rather than Girling), Exhaust and manifold (stainless steel), fuel pump & regulator (electrical rather than mechanical), air filters, ignition (now electronic), sills (stainless steel), wheels, (Minilite), door mirrors, air horns, electrical relays, radiator fan (although the thermostat is original Kenlowe), and obviously, front seats.

justwing

Richard

1 month ago

Thanks for confirming and sharing the extra information.

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Vehicle Location

Freshwater, Isle of Wight

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