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• Auction House:
  Mossgreen
• Sale Name:
  Collectors’ Cars, Motorcycles & Automobilia
• Sale Date:
  30 Apr 2017 ~ 2.30pm
• Lot #:
  22
• Lot Description:
  1967 LOTUS ELAN PLUS TWO
  Current ownership for 48 yearsChassis no: 501438Engine no: 19172
• Notes:
  Colin Chapman, who founded Lotus Cars in 1952, once famously said, “Adding power makes you faster on the straights, subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere.” The Lotus name is synonymous with lightweight sports and racing cars. From the Grand Prix track 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 early Lotus cars were often aimed at racing privateers, and sold in kit form, and proved highly successful and desirable. The Lotus Elite sports coupé was introduced in 1958 and was followed by the Elan. The Lotus Elan Plus Two, launched in 1966, was the first Lotus not to be offered as a kit version. Jim Clark, Graham Hill and Ayrton Senna are amongst the luminaries to drive for Lotus. Stirling Moss won Lotus’s first F1 Grand Prix at Monaco in 1960. Indeed, Lotus was the first manufacturer to record 50 Grand Prix victories, ahead of all others including Ferrari. The move from racing to sports cars was designed to take the Lotus brand more upmarket and this was particularly so with the Elan Plus Two. Like its forerunners, the Elite and the Elan, the Elan Plus Two is just as impressively pretty yet more practical due to the lengthening, widening and strengthening of the chassis. Build quality was also improved by virtue of the fact that the vehicle was not available in kit form. The Elan Plus Two sports a 1600cc, 118 bhp, Ford based Lotus Twin-Cam engine with twin Weber carburettors. Just over 2,000 units were built until in 1969 Lotus announced its Elan Plus Two S replacement model. This rare 1967 ‘Black Badge’ matching numbers Lotus Elan Plus Two is possibly the finest original example that our experts have encountered anywhere. Finished in striking Lotus Yellow with black interior trim and carpet, Chassis number 501438 was purchased by the current owner 48 years ago. This car was sold new by Richard Thurston at Pitstop Motors Elsternwick to Reg Hunt. It was purchased from Reg with only 1,200 miles on the clock. We are informed that the vehicle has never been in an accident and has been meticulously and lovingly maintained and serviced under the auspices of the owner by the recognised Lotus specialist, Rex Colliver. Having always been maintained immaculately and in optimum running order, this car, still having only travelled 61,000 miles, has seen unbroken road registration its entire life and has always been garaged. This car is accompanied by its original Victorian number plates, ‘KKB077’, and its original owner’s manual and service books both stamped by Pitstop Motors. It maintains its original twin-cam engine and its original instruments are in full working order. Interior and exterior are in exceptional condition including the polished wood dashboard, and the car sits on four correct new Michelin XAS tyres. Recently the brake hydraulic system and front and rear suspension were refurbished whilst the hydraulic clutch and hydraulic slave and brake master cylinders were overhauled. New seals and brake calliper pistons and engine mountings have been fitted, as have a new set of front anti-sway bushes, link bushes and all upper and lower wishbone bushes. The front and rear wishbones have been ‘bead-blasted’ and undercoated before repainting in black top coating, as have the anti-sway and rear differential sway bars. And as for the ‘Black Badge’? Some say that these were fitted to a limited production run of cars to commemorate the death of the legendary Jim Clark who had been so successful racing for Lotus in 1963 and 1965. Others meanwhile posit the theory that this story is apocryphal and that having run out of the traditional yellow Lotus badge, those in the factory in Norfolk, of necessity, turned to a box of Black Badges that had arrived by mistake, and simply used these until the next batch of yellow badges arrived. This highly authentic Lotus Elan Plus Two recently underwent a full major service, including new oils, filters, fluids etc. It has never been modified from original specification apart from the fitting of new seat belts and uprated headlights. With an odometer reading of 61,000 miles (approx), matching service books, original engine, paint and trim, this could possibly be the best original example of a 1967 Lotus Elan in Australia. If purchased by a Victorian buyer, a RWC with be supplied post auction by the vendor so original number plates can continue to be used.
• Estimate:
  A$40,000 - 48,000
• 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.