Classics by the Beach: November, 2020
This is Ian's 1971 Lotus Elan+2 S130. As a +2, it's more spacious than the standard Elan, being 23 inches longer overall - with just over half that length being added to the wheelbase - 7 inches wider, and features rear seats suitable for children, although, in this case, it's actually the family West Highland terrier that occupies that space. Lucky dog! The S130 was the penultimate evolution of the +2, which was first introduced in 1967. 1968 saw interior upgrades, extra kit and the model designation +2S, followed by Ian's version - equipped with a big-valve head - and, finally, the S130/5 of 1972, the "/5" indicating that a five-speed gearbox had also been fitted. Ian's car was first registered in Surrey, England, in late 1971 but I don't have any information to say when it arrived in Australia. However, I can tell you that Ian's owned it since 1987, that blue isn't its original colour - I forget what hue it used to ...
