DRIVING THE CLASSIFIEDS: 1970 Lotus Elan +2

Colin Chapman was known for making his sports- and racing cars as light as possible. We travel back in time to 1970 to sample one such example in the shape of the seductive Elan +2. 

Words and images: Wilhelm Lutjeharms

If you think about Lotus, lightweight sports- and race cars should first come to mind. That is until recently when the company launched the behemoth that is the stupendously powerful and expensive Eletre electric-SUV.

• This car is currently for sale. Enquire here.

The iconic British (now Chinese-owned) company has a very rich and important racing history, and that has also been the case with its road cars. In South Africa we weren’t privy to all their cars over the decades, but several did end up in South Africa and many more were imported. 

Rewind back to the Sixties and Lotus had numerous on-track successes, one being the Lotus-Ford Type 38 with which the team took the win at the 1965 Indianapolis 500.

Furthermore, Goodwood (the estate in the UK) published an article in which it named its best F1 cars of the 1960s, and there were two Lotus cars on the list: the 25 and the 18. 

It was during those "racing" years that the Lotus Elan road car was developed and released. There were a number of versions, including a drop head coupé, fixed head coupé, a racing version and then also this subject of this drive, the Elan +2. As can be assumed from its name, it offered two additional seats in the rear for children. 

The details

The chassis of the Elan was manufactured from mild steel and the body is fibreglass. Under the light engine lid is a 1.6-litre Lotus twin-camshaft, four-cylinder engine. It develops 88 kW at 6 000 rpm and 146 N.m at 4 000 rpm, but as the car only weighs 890 kg, I would soon discover that performance is indeed ample. This is evidenced by road tests at the time with testers managing a 0-97 km/h time of below 8.0 seconds and a top speed of 193 km/h. 

As I approach the Elan, two elements immediately impress: the compact size of the car as well as the general, flowing design. This example’s paintwork also seems to be in a great condition, which further contributes to its classic and attractive stance. The two-tone paintwork with the yellow and silver make it stand out even more. The sloping front and rear ends perfectly "connect" with each other on either end of the cabin. Although this might give a visual impression of a long car, in real life it is rather compact.

Behind the wheel

It is when you get in that you notice the relatively small size of the cabin. It takes you back to the late-Sixties though, from the instruments to the thin-rimmed steering wheel and the almost oversized gearknob to my left. You sit close to floor of the car which, in turn, is close to the road – the ideal position for a sports car.

There are numerous dials and gauges, from indicating the temperatures of the fluids, to a clock, battery voltage and fuel gauge. 

The compact nature of the entire car is also evident in the size of the wheels and tyres. All four corners are equipped with modest 175/60 R14 tyres – but that is all you need when your car weighs only 890 kg! If you think there is no grip, you are very much mistaken. 

When you lean the throttle a little harder, it is obvious that the engine prefers to be revved. Some fine tuning of the carburettor must still be done, as in traffic you can sense that it only wants to clear its throat.

As I head up Ou Kaapse Weg, the Lotus feels light and nimble. It honestly does feel like it wraps itself around you, much more so than many modern cars. You sit close to the door and windscreen, which also makes you feel much more "involved" in the driving experience than in other cars.

For one particular corner I brake quite hard and the stoppers do a good job at lowering the speed of the car. The 4-speed gearbox offers another layer of pure mechanical interaction with the car. The shift throws are relatively short, while each change is notably mechanical in nature. 

If you can heel-and-toe with your feet, even to a moderate level, the pedals are perfectly positioned for this task. The steering wheel provides a great level of feedback, and although I didn’t push the car to its limit, I could feel the feedback increasing with speed, exactly what you would want as an enthusiast. 

As I head back to MotoVillage after my drive (where this Lotus is currently for sale), I switch the headlights on, enjoying the sight of them popping up!

Summary

It is hard not the like the Elan +2. The additional space in the rear allows you to also add luggage for a longer trip, but at the same time you can add young passengers to enjoy the trip with you. It is light, nimble and offers a rather exiting level of performance. It is a sports car in the true sense of the word and a car that only those in the know will appreciate and recognise. 

The car's current owner is not only an enthusiast but a British car connoisseur who has owned, and still owns, several selective British sports and GT cars. He has owned this Lotus for around 10 years, and would love to see it find a caring new home.

If you want to learn more about these cars, and especially the sportier Elan Sprint, watch YouTube car reviewer Harry Metcalfe’s review of his Sprint below. 

Specifications:

Model: 1970 Lotus Elan +2

Engine: 1.6-litre, four-cylinder, petrol

Power: 88 kW at 6 000 rpm 

Torque: 146 N.m at 4 000 rpm 

Transmission: 4-speed manual, RWD

Weight: 890 kg

0-100 km/h: around 8.0 seconds

Top Speed: 193 km/h