1972 Lotus Elan +2 Spyder Conversion

Highlights

Comprehensive rebuild onto a new Spyder chassis
MOT valid until August 2025 with no advisories
2L 16V Zetec engine and 5-spd manual box
Very rare car with uprated Spyder performance and handling
Long term current keeper since 2003
Always maintained by Spyder since conversion
Recent service, cambelt, suspension repairs and electric headlight conversion

The Appeal

Colin Chapman knew a thing or two about building great sports cars. He cherry-picked from suppliers and created what he couldn’t find.

We think he’d have approved of this Elan +2. It is one of the very rare and highly regarded Spyder conversions. These cars were re-engineered by Spyder Cars with uprated chassis and Ford running gear - the 16V Zetec 2L motor and 5spd MT75 gearbox. The result is a car that is quicker than the original and extremely reliable.

This car was converted some years ago and has been meticulously maintained by Spyder ever since. There are some recent bills for cambelt and suspension work, fitment of electric headlight system and of course regular servicing.

Finished in smart blue metallic with a black leather interior, it sits on smart Minilites and is in very good condition. It is an indication of the current keeper’s care that he has voluntarily MOT’d the car each year, even though this is not a legal requirement. That gives the buyer independent reassurance of condition - the current test runs to 26th August 2025 with no advisories.

The Elan +2 is a superb sports car. This one is, arguably, better specified now than how it left the factory and in great condition.

History and Paperwork

Lotus Cars correspondence indicates the car was built and despatched in December 1972
First registered 7th January 1972
Only seven registered keepers from new
Current keeper since September 2003
Converted by Spyder Cars some years ago by the vendor
Maintained by Spyder since with large quantity of invoices in photographs
Recent MOT, although MOT exempt, with no advisories
Current MOT test to 26th August 2025 with 8,554 miles on test
Car was totally rebuilt onto a new Spyder chassis
Vendor advises that mileage since conversion is about 15,000 miles
Old tax disc from 2015
Workshop manual
Registered as a Historic Vehicle
Still listed as fitted with Lotus twin cam on V5 which buyer may wish to update
2 sets of keys
Vendor advises that the car was previously painted brown
£2,201 spent at Spyder in June 2023 on suspension, cambelts and servicing
Electric headlight conversion by Spyder in January 2024

The Condition

Body repainted by a fibreglass specialist in metallic blue to good standard
Paintwork presents well with some stone chips advised by seller
Fibreglass bodywork in good order but due to age we recommend checking photos
Fitted with an uprated Spyder Cars chassis
Underside regularly wire brushed and treated by the owner
No structural advisories on current MOT test
Fitted with Minilites in fair condition with some light marks to note
Quality Yokohama tyres in good order
Well kept interior with extensive Burr Ash dashboard veneers which we understand to be recently fitted when the conversion was completed
Lots of original features inside with light signs of wear to note in photographs
Fitted with black leather MX5 seats and original rear ‘+2’ seats
Clock and map light not connected to avoid battery drain
Radio/CD under passenger dash
Old radio fills original hole but not connected

The Mechanics

Full Spyder conversion with uprated mechanicals and running gear
2litre Ford Zetec 16V engine fitted by Spyder
5spd manual MT75 Ford gearbox
Limited slip differential
Emerald ECU and LED headlights
Uprated Spyder radiator
Geared starter
Spyder solid driveshafts
Maintained by Spyder since conversion
Lots of history with regular servicing and maintenance
Cambelt replaced in June 2023
No reported running or driving issues
No mechanical or running gear advisories on current MOT

BEFORE YOU BUY

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