Got a couple spare weekends? - LotusTalk

Randy Chase · 03-22-2008, 08:30 AM

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/car/608745201.html

Quote:

This could be the ultimate EV or HMPG project car. The 1969 Lotus Elan Plus2S had a .21 drag coefficient, pulled 1.0 g lateral acceleration, stopped in under 130’ from 60 MPH, and went over 115 MPH on 115 HP in the mid sixties. This project vehicle it has been in storage on ranch for last 15 years. Have California title and non op. All the rare parts are there including gages (the Plus 2S has additional oil pressure and outside temperature gages) all mounted in a real wood dashboard, knockoff wheels, front and rear bumpers, etc. The original engine block (matching number), damaged head Stromberg Carburetors and transmission are out of the car (but available) and hood has been removed and is no longer with car. It needs a Windshield all other glass good. Rare opportunity to drive the first factory produced Lotus. All previous models were available primarily as kit cars. The Plus 2S was the first factory assembled Lotus. Asking $5,000.00 or best offer

MattG · 03-22-2008, 08:40 AM

Am I crazy to be halfway tempted? How hard is it to find parts for those cars?

SweetDaddyD · 03-22-2008, 08:44 AM

I think the key words are: Rare opportunity to drive it. lol.

Patricko · 03-22-2008, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattG

Am I crazy to be halfway tempted?

Yes

Let me talk to your wife

i think you just like the colour

MattG · 03-22-2008, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patricko

Yes

Let me talk to your wife

i think you just like the colour

Funny, I just finished talking with my wife about this and that's about how it went, word for word! She thinks I'm crazy, and we agreed that it was probably the color that caught my eye.

One of these days I'll have to find a project like that...

Patricko · 03-22-2008, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattG

Funny, I just finished talking with my wife about this and that's about how it went, word for word! She thinks I'm crazy, and we agreed that it was probably the color that caught my eye.

You should be very worried that your wife and I think alike

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattG

One of these days I'll have to find a project like that...

If you want an old car buy the best one you can find, it is much much cheaper...

RoadDad · 03-22-2008, 07:05 PM

"A couple of spare weekends"

kestrel74 · 03-23-2008, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MattG

One of these days I'll have to find a project like that...

Here ya go !! It's up & running .......... and in YOUR color !

74 Zetec Europa For Sale

jkolb · 03-23-2008, 06:27 AM

It was my slow progress on getting my Elan finished that caused me to buy my Exige S. Still working on the Elan.

Parts are available, but expensive and almost everything requires some custom fitting (fettling?)

Jerry

Flash G · 03-23-2008, 06:33 AM

Good luck even finding someone to supply the windshield for the car!

.

ace10 · 03-23-2008, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flash G

Good luck even finding someone to supply the windshield for the car!

.

glass looks good to me... that's just a custom vent.

mp3moose · 03-23-2008, 07:22 AM

Turn key operation.

SteveLevin · 03-23-2008, 07:58 AM

Just needs a good buffing out!

Steve

codymac · 03-23-2008, 08:07 AM

The truly disappointing thing is that once restored any potential owner would very likely have more in her than she's worth. Clean +2's can be found that won't break the bank.

Shame since they can be really nice cars - local owner has a blue one that's gorgeous and sounds awesome:

http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/show...6&postcount=15

tmr · 03-23-2008, 08:17 AM

Quote:

The truly disappointing thing is that once restored any potential owner would very likely have more in her than she's worth. Clean +2's can be found that won't break the bank.

Restoring an Elan Plus 2 would cost as much or more than an Elan (some of the parts are harder to come by, some are shared w/Elan), yet it's only worth about 1/3 to 1/2 of what a comparable Elan will bring. Best bet is to find a nice one that someone else has restored and enjoy it. In the UK, Spyder manufactures a chassis that will accept the Ford Zetec and a 5-speed, plus the goodies to make the conversion. As a result, Plus 2's have become more desirable in recent years as this is a more usable vehicle that one with the Lotus T/C engine and four speed box.

Here's the links:

http://www.spydercars.co.uk/pg3_zetec_picture_file.htm

http://www.spydercars.co.uk/

http://www.spydercars.co.uk/ford_zetec.htm

dickedup · 03-23-2008, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randy Chase

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/car/608745201.html

For a vehicle with not that much inherent value. Why don't you find yourself a nice Elite instead?

khamai · 03-23-2008, 10:39 AM

More than a couple of weekends! And as others have said, if you dive into this one you need to WANT a +2 and toss out any ideas of turning a profit.

They are fun cars, but the baby Elan is a lot more desirable.

BTW, the +2 was not the first factory assembled car. Perhaps what the seller was attempting to say is that the +2 was the 1st road Lotus to ONLY be available as a fully assembled car from the factory. All prior models were available either as a kit or assembled.

Cheers,
Kiyoshi

Flash G · 03-23-2008, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ace10

glass looks good to me... that's just a custom vent.

Yes.. Less glass. Adds lightness.

.

UKphil · 03-23-2008, 03:28 PM

Is the outside temperature "gage" a thermometer you stick through the hole in the windscreen?

mopho · 03-23-2008, 03:32 PM

It took approx. 150 spare weekends to restore mine not to mention all the spare weekends to keep it going

03-22-2008, 08:40 AM	#2 (permalink)
MattG insert clever title here Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Living above the clouds in Colorado Posts: 7,676 Images: 11	Am I crazy to be halfway tempted? How hard is it to find parts for those cars? __________________ '05 Elise, Magnetic Blue / Biscuit / Hardtop / http://eliseinfo.com Radar detector mounting brackets for sale here

03-22-2008, 07:05 PM	#7 (permalink)
RoadDad perfututum futūtor Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 6,030	"A couple of spare weekends" __________________ "Really, you want to maintain a semblance of professionalism since you represent Lotus. Me... I don't need to. Bite me." -Randy

03-23-2008, 06:27 AM	#9 (permalink)
jkolb Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bend, OR/Austin, TX Posts: 374	It was my slow progress on getting my Elan finished that caused me to buy my Exige S. Still working on the Elan. Parts are available, but expensive and almost everything requires some custom fitting (fettling?) Jerry __________________ 2007 Laser Blue Exige S 1965 Elan (26r clone) vintage race car 2005 Audi S4

03-23-2008, 06:33 AM	#10 (permalink)
Flash G Double Trouble Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Hollywood Hills Posts: 3,178	Good luck even finding someone to supply the windshield for the car! . __________________ Turn your flatscreen TV into a work of art. Modern Art DVD \| Plasma Aquarium DVD \| Widescreen Fireplace DVD 11 Esprit??? (Wish List) 07 Exige S - Ardent Red, Stage II Exhaust, LSD, Touring pack 06 Range Rover Sport - Java Black 05 Elise - Ardent Red, Stage II Exhaust, Touring pack

03-23-2008, 08:07 AM	#14 (permalink)
codymac short angry bloke Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: where the east tapers out and the west begins Posts: 9,260 Images: 19	The truly disappointing thing is that once restored any potential owner would very likely have more in her than she's worth. Clean +2's can be found that won't break the bank. Shame since they can be really nice cars - local owner has a blue one that's gorgeous and sounds awesome: http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/show...6&postcount=15 __________________ torque (tôrk) n. - an excuse for the lack of momentum. - let's bring back CanAm & Group B! - have you hugged your Exige today? I'm currently working on my performance driving merit badge. There's always somebody faster, sometimes it's me.

03-22-2008, 08:44 AM	#3 (permalink)
SweetDaddyD BANNED Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: ATL, GA Posts: 7,644 Images: 2	I think the key words are: Rare opportunity to drive it. lol.

03-23-2008, 07:22 AM	#12 (permalink)
mp3moose Complete Lotus Junkie Join Date: May 2004 Location: Washington DC Posts: 692	Turn key operation.

03-23-2008, 07:58 AM	#13 (permalink)
SteveLevin Master of Disaster Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Sunnyvale, CA Posts: 468	Just needs a good buffing out! Steve

03-23-2008, 10:39 AM	#17 (permalink)
khamai Plain ol' Lotus-nut Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Nor Cal Posts: 3,563	More than a couple of weekends! And as others have said, if you dive into this one you need to WANT a +2 and toss out any ideas of turning a profit. They are fun cars, but the baby Elan is a lot more desirable. BTW, the +2 was not the first factory assembled car. Perhaps what the seller was attempting to say is that the +2 was the 1st road Lotus to ONLY be available as a fully assembled car from the factory. All prior models were available either as a kit or assembled. Cheers, Kiyoshi __________________ life is better behind the wheel of a Lotus...

03-23-2008, 03:28 PM	#19 (permalink)
UKphil former contributor Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pittsburgh PA Posts: 1,046 Images: 79	Is the outside temperature "gage" a thermometer you stick through the hole in the windscreen? __________________ '06 LRG Elise...

03-23-2008, 03:32 PM	#20 (permalink)
mopho goofn' with the bees Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: out of a suitcase- my stuff lives in LA Posts: 5,309	It took approx. 150 spare weekends to restore mine not to mention all the spare weekends to keep it going __________________ ________________ 2004 Caterham 7 Superlight R - 67 Lotus Elan www.morgansegal.com www.socalsportscar.com

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