Description

Experience the Pinnacle of Classic Sports Car Elegance with the 1972 Lotus Elan +2S 130

The Lotus Elan +2S was conceived by Colin Chapman with the aim of merging the best features of the Elan Coupe with the capability of comfortably transporting two adults and two children. It features a backbone chassis and a one-piece fiberglass body for optimal lightness, and is powered by a 1.6-litre engine derived from Ford UK, with a twin-cam head, known as the “Lotus Twin Cam” engine. The engine's rev-happy nature and spritely performance complement the Elan +2's excellent steering and handling characteristics.

Key Details:
• This great classic British sports car is in sound mechanical condition.
• This beautiful example has been meticulously cared for throughout its life.
• Near original condition.
• It was acquired in 2022 from its third owner via the Fine Car Company website. The current owner is now relisting it with us due to lack of use brought on by extended illness.
• When we listed it in 2022, it had a genuine 36,414 miles on the odometer. Since then, the current owner has only added roughly 200 miles, bringing the odometer to a current reading of 36,699 miles.
• The car comes with extensive paperwork documenting its life, including multiple MOT certificates, the original service book, and user manual. There are also many receipts for parts and work carried out.
• Included with the car is a Lotus Elan +2 workshop manual, perfect for enthusiast owners who enjoy tinkering with their cars. The manual is filled with superb cutaways and diagrams and even includes the factory-supplied spare wheel stored under the boot floor.

INTERIOR
The interior is absolutely immaculate, featuring an unmarked wooden dashboard that hosts beautiful original Smiths gauges, all functioning correctly. This includes the electric windows, which operate smoothly. The original Phillips radio is present and functional, though it cannot tune into modern stations (a brand new Alpine stereo/CD player is included in the passenger footwell).

The black vinyl front and rear seats, steering wheel, gear lever, door cards, and the rest of the trim are in pristine original condition. The seats have new seat foam, making them extremely comfortable.

EXTERIOR
The exterior retains its original red color with a gold flake roof. As shown in the photographs, the paintwork is in excellent condition, though it bears some scratches and small chips typical for its 50 years on the road. All the exterior glass is unmarked.

The pop-up headlights have been sympathetically upgraded to a reliable electronic raising and lowering mechanism, which avoids the common issue of vacuum leaks found with the original Lotus system. They function correctly, both with the original light switch on the dashboard and the steering column stalk for flashing. A battery isolator switch has also been installed in the boot.

MECHANICS
The 1558cc Lotus Twin Cam “big valve” engine starts easily, equipped with a 123 electronic ignition fitted in 2021, and runs perfectly. It idles smoothly and delivers a fantastic sound at full throttle, pulling strongly through all four manual gears. The Ford-derived gearbox operates excellently, providing slick and precise shifts. On the road, the car is a delight—light, nimble, and entertaining in a way that only Lotus can deliver.

THE APPEAL
This is a stunning example of a rare Lotus Elan +2 Coupe in lovely original condition and with extremely low mileage. The previous owner, who sold it with us in 2022, stated, "I have purposely not commissioned any cosmetic work during my ownership, keeping the car in fine working condition, ready to drive and enjoy at a moment's notice, just as was the case with its previous two owners."

This 1972 Lotus Elan +2S 130 is more than a car; it’s a piece of British motoring history ready to fill your drives with excitement and pride. Perfect for enthusiasts and collectors, it promises to continue its legacy of joy and performance with its next lucky owner.

Estimate: £21,000 - £22,000.