{"id":3120,"date":"2010-08-31T20:21:12","date_gmt":"2010-08-31T20:21:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/glwptest.comeze.com\/?p=3120"},"modified":"2010-08-31T20:21:12","modified_gmt":"2010-08-31T20:21:12","slug":"1970-lotus-elan-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gentrylane.ca\/s\/import-inventory\/sold-import\/1970-lotus-elan-2","title":{"rendered":"1970 Lotus Elan +2"},"content":{"rendered":"

In 1957, the Lotus<\/strong> Company owned by Colin Chapman<\/strong> was on the verge of bankruptcy. The success of the\u00a0Elan<\/strong> is one of the main reasons Lotus<\/strong> is now a successful corporation. The lightweight fiberglass\u00a0body fitted to a steel backbone chassis provided excellent performance and amazing handling.\u00a0Mr. Ron Hickman was the designer of Elan<\/strong> and a former employee of the Ford Corporation. <\/em>Lotus<\/strong> launched a legend in 1962, the Lotus Elan<\/em><\/strong>. Following on from the previous Elite model\u00a0the new Elan<\/strong> offered improved handling, performance and had a less fragile feel to its overall\u00a0design. Below the Elan<\/strong> bonnet sat a twin-cam four cylinder engine which would become a legend\u00a0in its own right, powering other classic Lotus<\/strong> models including the Cortina sports-saloons.<\/p>\n

Initially the Elan<\/strong> came as an open two seater, from 1964 a fixed head coupe was also available, both\u00a0bodies being constructed from GRP and mounted on a separate chassis. In 1967 a new Elan +2<\/strong> joined the\u00a0range which offered more comfort in a classic GT format. Both models continued to sell well throughout\u00a0the late-60’s with various model changes.<\/p>\n

The Elan<\/strong> ceased production in 1973 and the Elan +2<\/strong> in 1975. An estimated total of 17,000 original Elans <\/strong>and Elan +2<\/strong>‘s were built.<\/p>\n

This 1970 Lotus Elan +2<\/strong> Fixed Head Coupe is a classic example of Lotus<\/strong> success, excellent\u00a0performance and amazing handling. This example has been completely restored (Frame-off)<\/em> over the\u00a0years and shows its quality very well. The engine is a four cylinder, four stroke, twin overhead\u00a0camshaft unit, with a cast aluminium cylinder head. This 1558 cc<\/strong> engine with Twin Strombergs puts\u00a0out about 108 bhp<\/strong> @ 6000.00 RPM. The exterior is finished in a bright Red with a black fixed top.\u00a0The interior is black vinyl in great condition with matching black carpeting and Pwr. Windows.\u00a0The undercarriage much like the body is extremely solid. Overall this Elan +2<\/strong> runs and drives\u00a0extremely well.<\/p>\n