In 1948, Colin Chapman CBE, founded one of the most iconic British racing car companies of all time. Lotus is profoundly known for, not only their Formula 1 team but for their 2 seater sports cars sold in the tens of thousands.
The Lotus Elan was the first Lotus road car to use a steel backbone chassis with a fiberglass body. This style of construction was to be repeated in subsequent Lotus models for nearly three decades.
In 1971 the Elan +2S was upgraded to include the Big Valve engine and then renamed to the +2S 130. This stunning example of the +2S is owned by one of our clients. The vehicle has undergone a full nut and bolt restoration and resprayed by a Lotus specialist in Lagoon Blue with a contrasting silver metal flake roof. Alongside the full restoration and paint job, the car has had a full interior re-trim, making this look as good as the day it rolled of the factory line in Norfolk. In fact, with under a thousand miles on the clock this may be one of the best examples of an Elan left in the country. Unfortunately, it’s not known how many rolled out the RAF based factory; however, it is estimated at roughly 3,300 with under 1,000 left on the roads today.
Give our fantastic Quotes team a call for quote on your classic car! Call us on 023 8026 8351!
The car of the day today is the wonderful Lotus Elan + 2.
Mr B has a fantastic policy with agreed value, choice of repairer and also salvage retention through ourselves here at AIB.
The Elan +2 was introduced in 1967 with a longer wheelbase and 2 rear seats. 5,200 Elan +2were made. The Elan +2 ceased production in 1975. Because of its successful design and rigorous attention to cost control on the body, chassis, engine and transmission, the Elan went on to become Lotus’ first commercial success, reviving a company stretched thin by the more exotic and expensive to build Lotus Elite enabling funding of the Lotus success in racing over the next ten years.
Thank you for sending these lovely photos Mr B!
We specialise in classic car insurance so remember to call us on 02380 268351 for all your classic car needs.
The Lotus Festival 2015 was always destined to be a great event with over 1,000 various Lotus cars driving through the busy gates of Brands Hatch over the weekend of the 15th & 16th August.
With the sun shining and a packed race timetable including the Lotus Cup UK, Elise Trophy and the high-end FIA Lotus Cup Europe it was a surprise to see the weekend had time to fit in the Red Arrows making a flyby appearance.
Sunday afternoon saw a collection of Classic F1 cars take to the track including a Lotus 21, Lotus 101 and V12 engined Lotus 102. More excitement and noise was added with 2 Benetton F1 cars (the B190 and B193) and 2 700bhp Lola 3000 F1 replicas. Anniversaries in full bloom with the Esprit entering it’s 40th year, 25 years since the venerable Lotus Carlton was launched and 20 years since the popular Lotus Elise was launched. These displays were able to drive around the track on Saturday lunchtime between the races, and a lap of the GP there is a real treat!
The car clubs put on an excellent show, bringing well over 150 cars between them and make a fantastic display for all tastes from the classics of the Historic Lotus Club to specific clubs for the Seven, Excel, Vx220, Carlton and Cortina along with more general Lotus clubs from all over the country such as the East Anglian Lotus Club, Lotus Drivers Club and North Kent Lotus Group.
Lotus dealers from around the country were in force with 7 in all making their way to Kent for the Festival. The rest of the trade village were busy all weekend with a variety of stands selling everything Lotus related for visitors who had travelled from around the UK and Europe.
Back again for the 2015 Lotus Festival, Lotus owners had the chance to show off their beloved Lotus by taking part in the ‘Show and Shine’ competition. The competition was run on Sunday 16th August with four age-based classes: Pre-1974; 1974-1995; 1996-2008, Post 2009.
Competitors had the chance to contend for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in class trophies, along with the coveted title of ‘Overall best in show’. Prizes were awarded based on overall appearance & condition, taking into account whether a car is restored or original. The winners were chosen by a special team of Lotus judges.
Spaces for the Show and Shine contest were limited, with only 10 cars permitted to enter each class. The competitors cars were specially displayed within the Brands Hatch circuit throughout the Sunday.
The winners of each category were:
Pre-1974: Bill Holloway | 1967 Elan S3 S/E DHC
1974 – 1995: Jonny Pittard | 1981 Esprit Turbo
1996 – 2008: Paul Hanniford | Exige S2
Post 2009: David Devine | Exige S 240
There was much discussion between the judges over the ‘Overall Winner’ but in the end the decision was made in favour of Bill Holloway and his Elan, which he’s recently restored having owned the car since 1978.
For those who attended the festival may have spotted the AIB stand located not to far from the entrance. We at AIB thoroughly enjoyed the Lotus Festival and it was fantastic to meet some of our clients and some potential clients! The weekend was well spent talking all things Lotus, handing out flyers and goodies and the parade lap last thing on the Sunday evening saw 100 die hard owners showing off their pride and joy. BRING ON NEXT YEAR’S LOTUS FESTIVAL!!!!
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