Restored Lotus Elan +2
Own one of the best-handling cars ever made.
"For the drivers." Today, it is still the standard by which other cars' tossability is measured. The grip is insane, feedback is sublime, and it's telepathic at the limit. Gordon Murray recently revealed that he considers the Lotus Elan the best-handling car ever made and used it as his benchmark for the McLaren F1.
This 1969 Lotus Elan +2 California car is finished in Lotus British Racing Green, a tribute to the brand’s racing heritage. The car was restored and lightly modified to retain all its performance and unique driving characteristics while meticulously addressing all of its reliability drawbacks.
Vehicle Details:
- Chassis: 1969 Lotus Elan +2 Coupe
- Mileage: 72,000 miles on the odometer
- Engine: 1,558cc twin-cam inline-four
- Transmission: 4-speed manual
- Owners: A well-documented chain of custodianship
- Service & Restoration: Fully documented history of all the work carried out
- Titles: Clean titles from California
The mechanical renovations and improvements were carried out by California Lotus experts ‘Lotus Prepared By Claudius’ of Jay Leno’s Garage fame. Everything works, and in many cases, better than it did out of the factory.
Just some of the major improvements include:
- A complete engine rebuild with cylinder reboring, new sleeves, new pistons, fresh gaskets and meticulous attention to detail with rebuilt twin Zenith-Stromberg carburetors
- New oversized radiator and dual electric fans with an automatic electrical system
- Electronic ignition systems installed, with an alternator conversion and upgraded ignition components throughout
- New copper fuel line with an electrical SU pump
- Ceramic coated headers, a custom fiberglass airbox
- Brake systems thoroughly overhauled, including new master cylinder rebuilds, overhauled slave cylinders, stainless-steel lines, and a complete fluid flush
- Solid CV Drive Shaft Conversion (replacing the failure-prone ‘rubber doughnuts’)
- Electronic screw drive for pop-up headlamps
Vehicle Highlights:
Exterior:
- Magnificent Lotus British Racing Green paint, evocative of the vehicle's British heritage, in excellent condition.
- Chrome bumpers, with rechromed front bumpers and replacements for the rear.
- Original knock-on wheels, also refurbished, with new tyres fitted and a spare in the trunk.
Interior:
- Black vinyl upholstery, with some seats reupholstered in the correct patterns.
- Rosewood veneer dashboard with some minor signs of delamination.
- Original Smiths instruments and Colin Chapman steering wheels intact.
- Modern enhancements include Sony speakers and cabin insulation improvements.
- Power window mechanisms with refurbishments completed for added reliability.
- 3-point seatbelts for front and rear seats.
- Battery cutoff installed in the vehicle for peace of mind.
Documentation and Extras:
- Comprehensive service records tracing various periods of ownership.
- Workshop manuals and relevant literature for the enthusiast and collector.
- Includes special tools for knock-off wheels, trickle chargers, and fire extinguishers.
Known Issues:
- Small paint blemishes befitting its vintage status.
- The rev counter can become somewhat erratic at speed.
Extensive visual documentation is available, including videos of the engine start-up, driving demonstrations, and in-depth condition reports for each vehicle.
This Lotus Elan +2 collection embodies a dedication to the art of classic car preservation and enjoyment. The car offers a chance to own a chapter of Lotus’s rich legacy. With the sale comes all the aforementioned documentation, spare parts, and the confidence of vehicles maintained by aficionados with a deep respect for automotive tradition.
Prospective buyers are invited to delve into the detailed listings and imagery provided and to reach out to the seller for more specifics on the individual vehicles included in this sale.
Elevate your collection with this timeless, British Racing Green 1969 Lotus Elan +2 and experience the pure driving pleasure of a classic British sports car, made all the more enjoyable with tasteful mechanical and electronic improvements for performance and reliability.
