Rare Big Valve Project: 1971 Lotus Elan +2 S130

When you think of a Lotus Elan, it’s natural to picture an evocative two-seater roadster. After all, this is the nameplate that made Lotus a household name for car enthusiasts everywhere. However, the little-know Elan +2 is an alternative choice that allows you to strap two small passengers in the backseat to experience some of the phenomenal road-holding that the Lotus brand is known for. This particular +2 is every bit of a project car but it is said to be rot-free and is a factory black-on-black car equipped with air conditioning. The seller is in Massachusetts and asking $8,000.

Most of the time, when you hear that a sports car was offered in 2+2 form, the response is lukewarm at best. There are valid reasons for this, stemming from increased curb weight to ungainly proportions. In the case of the Elan, I always felt like they integrated the back seat and accompanying bodywork to a decent standard, with the fact that it had some added passenger capacity not readily obvious from the outside. This Elan retain its slim, chrome bumpers, OEM steel wheels with trim rings, and all of its glass.

The interior has seen better days, but the seats are in very nice shape, far better than the rest of the cabin. The dashboard will certainly need to be restored, and given the woodgrain is a centerpiece to the interior, that is money well spent. The seller notes the fiberglass is in good shape and the frame has no rot, but doesn’t specifically discuss how the floors are holding up. Given this Elan is in Massachusetts, you need to dig deep to see if rot truly isn’t a problem, but overall, this just looks like a tired project car that’s been gradually picked at over the last few decades. It is estimated that fewer than 3,000 +2s still exist today, so it’s definitely worth saving.

The Elan is equipped with the venerable twin-cam engine that was known to make up to 126 horsepower depending on whether it had the “Big Valve” engine that came standard in the upgraded +2S model. Top speed was around 120 miles per hour, so performance was certainly sprightly for the day. This Elan +2 is definitely a rare variant and worthy of restoration, but I’m not sure if it will find any suitors at the current price point. However, price notwithstanding, it’s still one of the most celebrated Lotus models ever made, and the 2+2 configuration adds some novelty to it. Find the Elan here on craigslist in Assonet, Mass.