1974 Lotus Elan 2+2
Same owner for over five decades

The Lotus Elan +2 occupies a particularly interesting place in the history of Lotus. Conceived as a more practical companion to the two-seat Elan, the +2 retained the qualities that had made its smaller sibling so successful – light weight, a sophisticated backbone chassis, independent suspension and the celebrated Lotus Twin Cam engine – while introducing a longer wheelbase and occasional rear seating.

This 1974 Lotus Elan +2S 130, registration ‘AVU 479M’, is particularly noteworthy for its extraordinary long-term ownership. The vendor informs us that the car has remained in the same ownership for over five decades, making this a fascinating opportunity to acquire a Lotus whose history has not been interrupted by a succession of custodians.

The accompanying V5C records just one former keeper and identifies the car as a Lotus Elan +2S 130, finished in white and powered by its 1,558cc engine. It is registered in the Historic Vehicle taxation class.

The odometer currently displays approximately 54,000 miles.

Finished in white, the car presents today with the wonderfully distinctive profile of the Elan +2 intact. Its slender pillars, sweeping roofline, pop-up headlights, chrome bumpers and period alloy wheels combine to make this one of the most elegant designs to emerge from Hethel during the period.

The cabin is equally evocative. The cream interior is complemented by the expansive wood-veneered dashboard, three-spoke Lotus steering wheel and comprehensive array of Smiths instrumentation. A traditional manual gear lever sits prominently in the centre console, reinforcing the wonderfully analogue nature of the driving experience.

Under the bonnet sits the celebrated Lotus Twin Cam four-cylinder engine. The photographs show the engine breathing through twin carburettors, while the engine bay retains its recognisable period Lotus appearance. As an ‘S 130’, this belongs to the more powerful later generation of the Elan +2 family, introduced with the uprated version of the Twin Cam engine.

Importantly, this example is fitted with the four-speed manual gearbox rather than the later optional five-speed unit, giving it a particularly direct and traditional Lotus drivetrain combination.

The car is presented in clearly usable rather than concours condition. Its age and long-term ownership are evident in areas of the paintwork, trim and engine bay, but this is arguably part of its appeal. Rather than appearing to have been comprehensively restored and its history erased, ‘AVU 479M’ retains the character expected of a classic that has spent such an extraordinary length of time with one custodian.

There is also documentary material accompanying the Lotus. This includes its V5C registration document together with invoices and paperwork accumulated during the ownership. Among the documentation photographed are invoices from Lotus specialists, including James Paddock and Holden Vintage & Classic, as well as historic specialist vehicle insurance correspondence. Such material adds useful context to a car whose principal attraction is undoubtedly its exceptionally long custodianship.

The Elan +2 has increasingly emerged from the shadow of the original two-seat Elan. It combines many of the same engineering principles and driving characteristics with a beautifully proportioned grand-touring body and greater practicality. The later S 130 specification is particularly sought after, representing one of the most developed versions of the model.

For the next custodian, this example offers several possibilities. It could be enjoyed and gradually improved while preserving its considerable originality, or form the basis of a sympathetic recommissioning or restoration. Either way, cars accompanied by this degree of continuous long-term ownership are increasingly difficult to find.

With over half a century in the same ownership, just one former keeper recorded on the V5C, its desirable S 130 specification and an accompanying history file, ‘AVU 479M’ is an unusually characterful example of one of Lotus’s most elegant road cars.

Summary