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• Auction House:
  Mossgreen
• Sale Name:
  The Motorclassica Auction
• Sale Date:
  14 Oct 2017 ~ 6pm
• Lot #:
  40
• Lot Description:
  1967 LOTUS ELAN +2
  Chassis No: 50/0245; Engine No: LP10569LBA
• Notes:
  Colin Chapman founded Lotus Cars in 1952. He famously said, “Adding power makes you faster on the straights, subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere.” Hence, the Lotus name is synonymous with lightweight sports and racing cars. From Chapman’s magnificent Formula 1 achievements to James Bond 007 in a Lotus Esprit, those who enjoy the driving experience share Chapman’s philosophy and obsession, “Simplify, then add lightness”. The Elan first came into being in the early 1960s as the company’s first truly commercially viable road car. After the sophisticated but racing orientated Elite, the original Elan was the right car for the right time powered by Lotus’s own Ford-based engine. This car outperformed and out-handled its British counterparts enabling Lotus to become a successful volume car maker. The car maker launched the larger four-seater Elan +2 in 1967 to take up its share in the market for larger sports cars with the young family in mind. To make this possible the chassis was lengthened by 12” and the track widened by 7”. The overall length was increased by 23”. A new longer steel backbone chassis was designed with drilled holes to reduce weight. A very effective set of disc brakes were fitted as standard featuring brake servo discs which were protected by dirt shields. Road testers of the day commented favourably on the car’s excellent braking capabilities. The wheels were 5 ? x 13” pressed steel discs with centre-lock fixings as standard. The Lotus-Ford twin-cam 1600cc with twin Weber carburettors put out 118bhp with a Ford 4-speed transmission. Together with the superbly crafted fibreglass body styled by Ron Hickman which was based around the M20 prototype called the Metier, the Elan +2 achieved a total weight of 1880lbs. These models were only available as a fixed-head coupe and the sloping roof, longer boot and the lower sleeker front end with pop-up headlamps produced much improved aerodynamics. Although this powerplant was not as high performance as the previous Elan it only suffered slightly due to the improved aerodynamics and sleeker new bodyshell. Top speed was more than 120mph and the car could reach 0-60mph in approx. 8 seconds. The wider track was very manageable for the average sporting driver. Most cars procured in the UK were sold in component form (to avoid paying the new car tax by not purchasing a complete car) and the final assembly would be then carried out by the customer, with the car being safety inspected by a Lotus dealer. Interestingly, the early built +2 cars despatched from September 1967 cost GBP 1,672 in component form and GBP1,923 including purchase tax fully built. The costs increased by January 1968. This good example was purchased in June 1996 from Mr. Spencer Bates, a founding member of the Club Lotus Australia. The car is verified by a Classic Certificate of Vehicle Provenance and an accompanying letter dated January 2017 from the Lotus Group endorsing the details of the original build records when the car left the factory held against the VIN supplied and verifies the original engine number as LP10569LBA. The letter confirms that this car is the 240th Elan +2 (both factory assembled and component form) and the 220th Elan +2 sold in component form (only available for the UK market). The Classic Certificate of Vehicle Provenance states the car sold on the 21st December 1967 as a standard variant; body colour not recorded; with a black vinyl trim (which was standard). The certificate makes special mention that by number sequence this car was the 245th out of approximately 1900 Elan +2 standard worldwide. During this delightful Lotus’s 20-year tenure in its current enthusiastic ownership, the car has recently had a complete body off refurbishment including repainting in baked enamel French blue, believed to be close to a Lotus colour of the period. It retains the original engine which we are informed is in good running order which has recently had a comprehensive tune up. The interior presents in original condition. The chrome stripping, roof gutters and Lotus insignia badging have been refurbished to a high standard and are being fitted post photography. The sale is accompanied with a new navy “Catalina”car cover and a new navy “Galaxy” Dacron canvas cover both to suit an Elan +2. This Lotus in its recently refurbished condition presents a superb opportunity for a Lotus enthusiast to acquire a car with sound provenance at the prestigious Motorclassica auction. This vehicle will be sold unregistered.
• Estimate:
  A$45,000 - 55,000
• Realised Price:
  *****
  

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• Category:
  Automobiles & Accessories

This Sale has been held and this item is no longer available. Details are provided for information purposes only.