Elan + 2 for sale

[Veloce_Rosso]

It spiked my interest. Contacted the seller and it's made to look like a Elan 130. The engine was rebuilt by Vegantune in the 1980s, it's a big bore twin cam engine. However, the paintwork has micro blisters. A proper respray using plastic paint isn't cheap.

The owner said come and drive it and decide. I love the two tone as it takes me back to when I had mine.

Is it worth it?

[Escape]

It may not be original, and it's only a 4-speed, but if it is well sorted and good to drive, I'd say it's not too bad a price. There's probably some margin for bartering, get it down to £16k or even £15k. I do love the 2-tone paint work!

Filip

[jep]

You'll need the best part of £10k to paint that properly if it has micro blisters - if you use a proper specialist paint shop. 

I don't think a FSH genuine 130/5 in top condition is worth £30k, so do the maths. 

If you just want a car to use, enjoy and you don't want to perfect it in the short term, it has some appeal but personally I'd wait for a matching number late +2 or a very early +2, matching number. 

Justin 

PS. Lotus chassis? Run away if not. 

 

[Veloce_Rosso]

Yes, remember their chassis. I guess it would be around 10k.

I'm a bit of a purist (others call me a fuddy duddy), I like originality over a pimped up version. Safety wise I don't object to upgrades. Tomorrow my Sportwagon is going into the garage to have Brembo brakes and drop links fitted.

Apologise for my ignorance, why is a 130 worth less?

Edited March 20 by Bibs

[Veloce_Rosso]

3 hours ago, Escape said:

It may not be original, and it's only a 4-speed, but if it is well sorted and good to drive, I'd say it's not too bad a price. There's probably some margin for bartering, get it down to £16k or even £15k. I do love the 2-tone paint work!

Filip

Certain aspects appeal but other traits is making me think twice: non original engine, dodgy paintwork.... and these are just the things highlighted by the current owner.

I know from personal experience the drive shafts can be a weak link (or used to be). If the engine hasn't been looked after, they can blow blue smoke.

Edited March 20 by Veloce_Rosso

[jep]

130 are the most sought after +2. I don't see them at over £30k for a top example, so work down from there. 

[Veloce_Rosso]

Surely, if they are most sought after out of the Elan power plants the value should go up, shouldn't it?

[jep]

No. It's not original to the car. Originality is key to value of any Lotus, particularly engine and chassis.

Justin 

[Escape]

I'd say none standard parts, like a better engine or bigger brakes, can increase the value for a car that is intended to be used, as it can enhance performance.

But if you're looking for ultimate value, an original, matching numbers car will always be more worth to a collector.

[Veloce_Rosso]

I'm with you guys when it comes to originality. But the 130/5 is only an upgraded version of the original.

Thank gentlemen.

[Veloce_Rosso]

The interior isn't in great shape, and it has the later seats. Bless her, she needs a lot of TLC.

[jep]

Avoid unless you like spannering yourself, if you'll excuse the language. 

[Veloce_Rosso]

2 minutes ago, jep said:

Avoid unless you like spannering yourself, if you'll excuse the language. 

Understood.

[Escape]

I agree, at that price you'd expect better.

[Veloce_Rosso]

Concur.

If I view it (probably tomorrow) it's worth a lot less than the asking price.

[DaKa]

I've been without a Lotus for a couple of years now and miss it badly.

I've never owned an Elan 2+2 but have owned a 1990 Elan M100, 1984 Excel SE and 1988 Esprit X180 (non-turbo). Of them all, I wish I'd held on to my Excel as I liked the practicality, rarity, black paint and oxblood red leather interior which was a great combination. 

I'm asking here your opinion on the following Ebay item that I know the current owner sourced from 'Fairmount, in Hutton' a fairly new classic car trader near me that normally stocks quality cars.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/326053828858

The quality, in my opinion, is generally 20-25% over priced at Fairmount, but I don't object to them earning a crust.

Do you concur with me that this is a decent example to buy but over-priced? I'm guessing that the seller is trying to recoup the trader's premium that he paid 18 months ago?

Thxs

 

 

  

[Veloce_Rosso]

4 hours ago, DaKa said:

I've been without a Lotus for a couple of years now and miss it badly.

I've never owned an Elan 2+2 but have owned a 1990 Elan M100, 1984 Excel SE and 1988 Esprit X180 (non-turbo). Of them all, I wish I'd held on to my Excel as I liked the practicality, rarity, black paint and oxblood red leather interior which was a great combination. 

I'm asking here your opinion on the following Ebay item that I know the current owner sourced from 'Fairmount, in Hutton' a fairly new classic car trader near me that normally stocks quality cars.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/326053828858

The quality, in my opinion, is generally 20-25% over priced at Fairmount, but I don't object to them earning a crust.

Do you concur with me that this is a decent example to buy but over-priced? I'm guessing that the seller is trying to recoup the trader's premium that he paid 18 months ago?

Thxs

 

 

  

Compared to the one I was looking at (now sold), it seems a fair price, assuming it is exactly as described. Without viewing it's tricky to say.

[jep]

Spyder chassis so in my opinion it is no longer a Lotus. 

Justin 

[DaKa]

As a guide for an uninitiated 60's Elan buyer, may I presume that the spider chassis is 'after-market' meaning the car has lost the core of its originality and therefore a devaluing factor for most buyers?

Should originality be a concern for investment purposes or is it also an important consideration for the driving experience?

My head is telling me that this car should be < £20k, but I guess that I need to take a look and check the condition of the bits that you can't see.

   

 

[jep]

Spyder made/make alternative chassis for Lotus. Plenty don't mind them but I have never understood why anyone would want a Lotus without a Lotus chassis. Akin to fake designer watch in my eyes. 

I owned a Europa with a Spyder chassis once - it was fine but I could never shake the feeling that I wasn't driving a true Lotus. And you ain't! 

Justin 

[jonwat]

52 minutes ago, jep said:

I have never understood why anyone would want a Lotus without a Lotus chassis

Lotus stopped making chassis for older models which is where Spyder originated from.  Whan your Elan or Europa non galvanised chassis had rusted to dust you either scraped it or paid Spyder a visit.

[Veloce_Rosso]

5 hours ago, jep said:

Spyder chassis so in my opinion it is no longer a Lotus. 

Justin 

How do you know it has Spyder underpinnings?

[tim_marra]

1 hour ago, Veloce_Rosso said:

How do you know it has Spyder underpinnings?

A quick look underneath the car reveals all as they look quite different.

[jep]

9 hours ago, jonwat said:

Lotus stopped making chassis for older models which is where Spyder originated from.  Whan your Elan or Europa non galvanised chassis had rusted to dust you either scraped it or paid Spyder a visit.

That doesn't make it right. It's not a Lotus. If Spyder had copied 100% the original design, fine....but they didn't. 

I wouldn't buy an Elise without a Lotus chassis - just because you can't buy a chassis from Lotus doesn't mean I'd buy a substitute chassis. I'd buy a car with the correct chassis, be it any Lotus from any era. 

Justin 

@Veloce_Rossothe advert says 'Spyder chassis' in the text

[jonwat]

1 minute ago, jep said:

just because you can't buy a chassis from Lotus doesn't mean I'd buy a substitute chassis

So, you'd write the car off then. Fine, as you wish.