For sale by auction on Saturday 24thNovember 2012 with Historics at Brooklands, Brooklands Motor Racing Circuit, Weybridge, Surrey.

Estimate £10,000 - £14,000

Upon its launch in 1967, the Lotus Elan +2 fitted very snugly between British sports car manufacturers such as Marcos, TVR and major manufacturers such as Triumph and MG. The Elan +2 was a development and evolution from the original Elan of 1962 and saw a totally new closed coup© body designed to accommodate a couple of children or useful storage for shopping. The two Elans, the original still being produced alongside the +2, had many interchangeable parts except for the body; this was a benefit to the +2 as the mechanical parts had proven very reliable. The Lotus Elan +2 was also sold in kit form, as was the original Elan, but to get away from the heritage of kit cars, Lotus introduced an improved Elan a year later which was only available to buy factory built. The improvements were a more luxurious interior and fog lamps fitted under the front bumpers, and the vehicle was designated the Lotus Elan +2S. The next major change was in 1971 when a big valve engine was offered, resulting in the Lotus Elan +2 130S, with another option of a very attractive metal-flake roof paint job. The last major change was in 1972 when a five speed gearbox was fitted turning the car into the Lotus Elan +2S 130/5.

This 1971 Lotus Elan +2 130S with the big valve engine, was purchased in 2007 by the current owner, an actor who has recently returned from playing on Broadway, New York. Because of his career, this Lotus has only covered 1000 miles since purchase. Restored in 2001 when the colour was changed from orange and repainted in dark green metallic with black seats, this car is ready to use having been re-commissioned after 18 months in storage. The vehicle is supplied with a V5C registration document, a new MoT test certificate and a file with old MoT test certificates which verify the mileage since the restoration. This is a very usable classic and an ideal car within which to celebrate 50 years of the Lotus Elan.