Overview

The Lotus Elan was Colin Chapman and Lotus’ first affordable road car, produced from 1962 and, along with its larger Plus 2 (+2) variant, until 1974. As a replacement for the expensive Lotus Elite, the Elan and Plus 2 were both successful sports cars, which carried Lotus through the 1960s and into the 1970s. Starting with a brief history of Lotus and the Elan, this book provides a detailed originality guide to the Elan and Plus 2, identifying the design changes Lotus made to the models through their lifetimes. An ‘owner’s guide’ provides detailed information on owning and maintaining the cars in tip-top condition, and gives details of common faults and upgrades. The restoration guide gives any potential restorer the information to carry out the tasks needed to bring one of the these cars back from the dead. With anecdotes and experiences from current and previous owners of Elans and Plus 2s, along with many colour photographs, the book provides a valuable insight into owning, running and racing these iconic cars.

Full Product Details

Author:   Matthew Vale
Publisher:   David & Charles
Imprint:   Veloce
Dimensions:   Width: 25.00cm , Height: 2.20cm , Length: 25.00cm
Weight:   1.156kg
ISBN:  

9781787114593

ISBN 10:   1787114597
Pages:   208
Publication Date:   15 December 2020
Audience:   General/trade ,  General
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In Print  
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Table of Contents

Introduction: Brief history of the cars. Description of layout and major design features of the Elan and Plus 2: Chassis, Body shell, Interior Description of the Lotus Twin Cam engine: History Standard, SE Specification and Big Valve Sprint versions Use of non Standard blocks Weber, Dellorto and Stromberg carbs Europa specific timing cases and cam covers Originality Guide: Introduction Elan and Plus 2 Production History Include Lotus's slightly random policy on introducing modifications Originality: Elan S1 to Sprint Factory specifications Parts List Analysis showing change points Originality: Plus 2 to Plus 2S 130/5 Factory specifications Parts List Analysis showing change points Owners Guide: Introduction Owning and running an Elan or Plus 2 Things to watch out for: Donuts Water Pump Chassis Rot Front Trunnions Wishbone bushes Bodywork Originality or Upgrade - the pros and cons Common Parts from other cars Regular Maintenance Oil Antifreeze Engine Servicing and tuning Chassis and running gear servicing Body shell and paint Upgrades CV Drive shafts Rear Suspension Slim springs and platforms Electric Headlamp lifting Seats Water Pump Suspension Polybushes Spyder Chassis Spyder suspension

Reviews

ll in all a truly invaluable and absorbing book for all Elan and +2 owners and prospective owners and it comes highly recommended by us - Club Lotus News

Author Information

Matthew Vale has been writing books on classic British motorcycles and cars since 2004. Now retired from day-to-day work in the IT industry, in which he was a Chartered IT professional specialising in computer security, he now devotes his free time to classic car and bike restoration, writing classic motoring books and articles, and spending time with his wife and family. In the past he has run such diverse classic cars as a Triumph Spitfire Mark III, MGB,Triumph Stag and a Lotus Elite, as well as restoring and riding classic bikes including the Triumph Bonneville, Norton Commando and BSA Lightning. With a lifelong fascination for glass fibre bodied cars (stemming from early holiday jobs at various glass fibre factories), and ownership of many rusty cars, he is currently carrying out a nut and bolt (and glass fibre) restoration of a Lotus Elan Plus 2, while enjoying driving a lovely Plus 2.

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