10k: Cool Blue: 1970 Lotus Elan +2
The Lotus Elan +2 was a long wheelbase coupe-only version of the lightweight Elan and added back seats in exchange for a few pounds of extra mass. The Elan +2 still kept with Colin Chapman’s mantra of simplify and add lightness, but it had room for two small children in the back. The Elan was commercially very successful for a Lotus and sold more than 17,000 units over its 8 year lifespan, with about 5,000 of them the +2 version. The number that remain on the road today is quite limited and to find one this condition for the current bidding price is unusual and a great buy. Find this 1970 Lotus Elan +2 for sale in Granite Falls, WA currently bidding on ebay for $8,600 reserve-not-met with 3 days to go.
The Elan +2 is a striking car in person; it is very low compared to modern cars and the rear roof shape is dramatic as opposed to the goofy cartoon-car look of the standard Elan hardtop. This one is a recent Canadian import that still needs to be titled in the USA, so be sure to check carefully for any signs of rust on the underside, maple syrup in the carpet and Tim Horton’s coffee stains on the headliner.
Under the hood is a Lotus Twin Cam 1.6 liter inline-4 that puts out close to 100 horsepower. The wiring on this one looks like Miley Cyrus’s medicine cabinet and needs some serious de-scuz.
A quick peek in the inside doesn’t show anything too nasty.
See a better classic 2+2 for less? email us here: tips@dailyturismo.com
Absolutely gorgeous. Predicting Elans to hit the bigtime soon…
Definitely. It's only a matter of time.
I think Elans have already hit the big time. This is a cheap one.
Love this. It looks like a lot of little issues to be sorted, but overall a solid driver, with nothing that would make you run away (at least nothing more than any other British car of that era). The pop-up headlights aren't my favorite design element, but otherwise, I consider many of the design details on the +2 even nicer than on the convertibles.
Looks promising for a no reserve auction… GLWTS