Elan, where to start
Discussion
I need to own a classic lotus of some sort as part of my classic driving fun. I nearly bought an Elan 35 years ago, but bought a house and a wife instead.
A silly broad question, but where to start? Elan, +2, Europa? Who to trust? What to look for and what to avoid? I don't think I want a soft top, so that narrows it down a tiny bit!
I love nimble and good handling, not worried about outright pace.
So all thoughts or pointers to resources much appreciated.
Cheers
Bert
A silly broad question, but where to start? Elan, +2, Europa? Who to trust? What to look for and what to avoid? I don't think I want a soft top, so that narrows it down a tiny bit!
I love nimble and good handling, not worried about outright pace.
So all thoughts or pointers to resources much appreciated.
Cheers
Bert
I’ve got tonnes of stuff on the Elan, including PDFs of the lotus manual and Brian Buckland’s Rebuilding a Lotus Elan, which is a great resource and now out of print. I can send anything I have and links etc. If you PM me your email.
LotusElan.net is a great forum with some really friendly and knowledgable guys (sometimes referred to as Elanoraks!). That would be a good place to start.
Elans are continuing to go up in price, hard to get a good one now for less than £25K. Plus 2s have always been more affordable.
The fixed head coupes (FHC) are generally a bit cheaper than the drop head coupes (DHC), you’ll be pleased to know. Hence why many of the FHCs have met with a jigsaw at some point.
If you do get one please make sure it has an air box fitted and a decent fire extinguisher. Fibreglass is really flammable and Weber 45s like to cough fuel occasionally.
LotusElan.net is a great forum with some really friendly and knowledgable guys (sometimes referred to as Elanoraks!). That would be a good place to start.
Elans are continuing to go up in price, hard to get a good one now for less than £25K. Plus 2s have always been more affordable.
The fixed head coupes (FHC) are generally a bit cheaper than the drop head coupes (DHC), you’ll be pleased to know. Hence why many of the FHCs have met with a jigsaw at some point.
If you do get one please make sure it has an air box fitted and a decent fire extinguisher. Fibreglass is really flammable and Weber 45s like to cough fuel occasionally.
I would try both but personally I prefer the Plus 2 which, interestingly, is also Paul Matty's favourite classic Lotus.
The Elan (don't call it a 'baby' by the way) is certainly quicker and more 'darty' but the Plus 2, when properly sorted, is a delightful thing. I sold mine last Summer, which was probably one of the best sorted in the UK, and bought an Evora. I can honestly say hand on heart the steering feel was better in the Plus 2 and the car was more fun to drive, though I do like my Evora.
In the last 2 weeks I was within a whisker of closing a deal on a S4 DHC project but thought better of it as I have a Mk1 Mini project to finish before I take on another Lotus resto.
As said above Elan.net is certainly the place to be - it's nothing like PH, genuine enthusiasts, no snarkiness and very helpful people. I learned so much from the folk on there and now have many genuine friends who I still see from using that site over the years.
The Elan (don't call it a 'baby' by the way) is certainly quicker and more 'darty' but the Plus 2, when properly sorted, is a delightful thing. I sold mine last Summer, which was probably one of the best sorted in the UK, and bought an Evora. I can honestly say hand on heart the steering feel was better in the Plus 2 and the car was more fun to drive, though I do like my Evora.
In the last 2 weeks I was within a whisker of closing a deal on a S4 DHC project but thought better of it as I have a Mk1 Mini project to finish before I take on another Lotus resto.
As said above Elan.net is certainly the place to be - it's nothing like PH, genuine enthusiasts, no snarkiness and very helpful people. I learned so much from the folk on there and now have many genuine friends who I still see from using that site over the years.
Thanks both, very helpful. Misery, I'll PM you my email address - most kind.
Lotobear, interesting view on the +2 versus the Elan. It's always taken my fancy. For a brief period I owned a +2S resto project, but failed to make progress in 2 years so sold it! Hopefully when things get easier, I can drive them back to back. Also quite fancy changing my GT3 and going the Evora or Exige route too. But apparently that would exceed my car quota. But I reckon I can solve that by selling the GT3 and Mrs Bert together.
Cheers
Bert
Lotobear, interesting view on the +2 versus the Elan. It's always taken my fancy. For a brief period I owned a +2S resto project, but failed to make progress in 2 years so sold it! Hopefully when things get easier, I can drive them back to back. Also quite fancy changing my GT3 and going the Evora or Exige route too. But apparently that would exceed my car quota. But I reckon I can solve that by selling the GT3 and Mrs Bert together.
Cheers
Bert
BertBert said:
Thanks both, very helpful. Misery, I'll PM you my email address - most kind.
Lotobear, interesting view on the +2 versus the Elan. It's always taken my fancy. For a brief period I owned a +2S resto project, but failed to make progress in 2 years so sold it! Hopefully when things get easier, I can drive them back to back. Also quite fancy changing my GT3 and going the Evora or Exige route too. But apparently that would exceed my car quota. But I reckon I can solve that by selling the GT3 and Mrs Bert together.
Cheers
Bert
Loved mine, and there wasn't a square inch outside, inside or within that I didn't touch, restore, improve or renew. It really was a fully sorted car but when it became as perfect as I could get it I suddenly decided to sell - the right decision at the time but I still have regrets.Lotobear, interesting view on the +2 versus the Elan. It's always taken my fancy. For a brief period I owned a +2S resto project, but failed to make progress in 2 years so sold it! Hopefully when things get easier, I can drive them back to back. Also quite fancy changing my GT3 and going the Evora or Exige route too. But apparently that would exceed my car quota. But I reckon I can solve that by selling the GT3 and Mrs Bert together.
Cheers
Bert
I will definately come back to a Plus 2 if I can find an early pre S in an unusual colour like 'Burnt Sand'. The early ones really are lovely and more pure somehow than the 'lardy' and slightly overblown S versions.
Elans are great too of course but a Plus 2 somehow feels more 'grown up' - Lotus should really have given them a different name IMO
Good luck with your search/decision, they're all brilliant in their own way if you get a good one and keep up regular maintenance.
I've had two Elan S4 dhcs, two Elan +2 and a Europa TC over the years, plus two M100 Elans(still got one) and an Elise S2. Time dulls the memory but I'd have to say the Elise was by far the best drivers car.I loved all the classics, all handled great once properly set up. For road holding and sheer quirkiness I enjoyed the Europa the most but the Elans were great fun. Didn't really have the +2 Elans that long to comment but I know people who've enjoyed them for years.
When I fully retire in a couple of years I'm thinking about chopping my Boxster in for a Classic Elan as I'll only be doing local driving but to be honest some of the current prices seem ridiculous to me.
I've had two Elan S4 dhcs, two Elan +2 and a Europa TC over the years, plus two M100 Elans(still got one) and an Elise S2. Time dulls the memory but I'd have to say the Elise was by far the best drivers car.I loved all the classics, all handled great once properly set up. For road holding and sheer quirkiness I enjoyed the Europa the most but the Elans were great fun. Didn't really have the +2 Elans that long to comment but I know people who've enjoyed them for years.
When I fully retire in a couple of years I'm thinking about chopping my Boxster in for a Classic Elan as I'll only be doing local driving but to be honest some of the current prices seem ridiculous to me.
BertBert said:
Didn't pick up on this comment before. What was the differences between the early ones and the S?
Bert
The early ones are More basic inside, a bit more like an Elan - fewer guages, nice bevelled instrument surrounds, toggle switches, simpler bucket type seats (as Elan), no Marina/Maxi door handles and simple unpadded centre console. Externally, no Lucas square 8 lamps and the really early ones have Carello (Alfa) rear lights which are smaller and simpler than the later E type onesBert
Overall a more 'pure' looking car in my mind
A shameless plug but I have a Spyder Zetec converted Elan Plus 2 (originality police wouldn’t approve) which is being sold through Collecting Cars soon. I won’t post the link as I don’t want to break any rules. It could be worth a look for you though, if you’re looking for something that handles then it may work for you. It is restored and set up for fast road/track.
robsco said:
A shameless plug but I have a Spyder Zetec converted Elan Plus 2 (originality police wouldn’t approve) which is being sold through Collecting Cars soon. I won’t post the link as I don’t want to break any rules. It could be worth a look for you though, if you’re looking for something that handles then it may work for you. It is restored and set up for fast road/track.
Not the white +2 that's in the coming soons?BertBert said:
robsco said:
A shameless plug but I have a Spyder Zetec converted Elan Plus 2 (originality police wouldn’t approve) which is being sold through Collecting Cars soon. I won’t post the link as I don’t want to break any rules. It could be worth a look for you though, if you’re looking for something that handles then it may work for you. It is restored and set up for fast road/track.
Not the white +2 that's in the coming soons?Just to update the thread, I have been round the houses a lot on the Lotus topic including looking at/thinking about Evoras/Exiges/Elises and finally settled somewhere I wasn't expecting. I'm the new owner of an Elan GTS to go racing in classics with an ambition to do the Spa 6 hour. I've no idea how competitive I'll manage to get, nor how long it'll take, but it'll hopefully be fun along the way. I've not driven, only sat in (and loved it). Eat your heart out Dickie Meaden 
Bert
Bert
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