1973 Lotus Elan Plus 2S | The Summer Serenade Auction | 18th July

• Recent mechanical work
• 2.0 litre Zetec engine conversion
  
• Well-presented example
  

The Lotus Elan Plus 2 represented the evolution of the original Elan, combining greater refinement, comfort and practicality with the exceptional handling for which Lotus had become renowned. Designed as a 2+2 grand tourer, it featured a lightweight fibreglass body mounted on a steel backbone chassis and remained true to Colin Chapman’s philosophy of “adding lightness”. Powered by Lotus’s twin-cam engine, the Plus 2 delivered spirited performance, precise steering and remarkable agility, while offering increased cabin space and long-distance usability. Elegant styling, pop-up headlights and a well-appointed interior helped establish the model as one of Lotus’s most charismatic creations.

This 1973 example is presented in Carnival Red, having originally left the factory in blue, and the bodywork remains in very good order. The Plus 2S had benefited from a few refinements introduced two years earlier, including standard fog lamps and a more luxurious interior, further enhancing its grand touring credentials. This car is the 130/5 specification, originally equipped with the more powerful 130bhp twin-cam engine and the sought-after five-speed manual gearbox. As the final development of the Elan Plus 2 before production ceased in 1975, the 130/5 is widely regarded as the most collectable and desirable variant of the model. This example was fitted with the popular, more powerful 2.0 litre Ford Zetec engine, an often-seen modification on these cars for those seeking higher performance. The engine was installed by Classic & Retro Automotive Works in 2017, along with other comprehensive mechanical work, all available in the history file.

The tan leather interior presents very well, with the rear seats showing minimal wear, while the dashboard was professionally retrimmed and refitted earlier this year. Included in the history file are invoices for extensive mechanical work carried out over the last eleven years. A discreet push-button start system has also been fitted, providing a subtle modern enhancement. Production figures for the Elan Plus 2 remain the subject of debate, with estimates ranging between 3,000 and 5,000 examples. Fewer than 1,200 are believed to survive on the road today, making any Plus 2 a rare sight, and this well-presented example represents an exciting opportunity to acquire one of the finest and most usable classic Lotuses of its era. Consigned by Charlie McCreery