The +2, initially called the Elan S2 before the Elan designation was dropped with the introduction of the +2S, used the same design of sheet steel backbone chassis but lengthened by a foot to create a car that ended up 23" longer overall and 7 wider than the Elan. The main idea behind the design was to increase interior space and add a pair of occasional rear seats, generally for children but also useable by adults on short journeys. This the car did with greater luggage space in the wide, low boot, whilst still offering a gorgeously streamlined silhouette with excellent aerodynamics that gave it true sports performance for its time from the same 1,558 cc, twin-cam, 118 bhp engine as the 300 lbs lighter Elan. Obviously performance did suffer a bit but even so, the +2 could hit 60 in around 8 seconds and achieve a top speed of 120 mph. Handling was also praiseworthy with the additional track making the car easier to hustle along. The interior was luxurious for the time is still well-equipped today but crucially, the cabin offered generous space and greater comfort with improved, tilt-backed seats and through-flow ventilation.
In respect of truly practical sports cars, there are very few that can offer what the +2 can even today but of course, the +2 no longer has the required levels of performance and its sheet-steel, backbone chassis was very susceptible to life-threatening corrosion. And that's exactly what the Spyder conversion aims to replace.
Lotus made 5,168 of these cars covering the original Elan +2, the +2S 130 with the bigger 126 bhp big-valve twin-cam engine and the final +2S 130 5-speed with the Austin Maxi-derived five-speed gearbox. Prices for a top condition car range from between £8,500 and £10,500 depending on the model. However, chassis corroded examples of the cars can come for as little as £1,500 which makes it a prime candidate for conversion.
The rolling chassis construction is pretty straightforward and Spyder Engineering can supply every single nut and bolt necessary to do it for just £7,336 + VAT. All you need is an engine, box differential and tyres plus the donor car. You will also need the throttle-body conversion for the 2-litre Zetec. That adds up to a completed project cost of between £10,000 and £15,000 dependent on specification and bargain hunting ability.
One further thing to consider is the possible shortcomings of a thirty-year-old body. Considering star-crazing was a constant problem of old GRP bodies and that materials of the sixties and seventies were light years removed from what's available today, you would think they might be in quite a ropey condition but Spyder's Andy Widnall says 'Not so'. The Lotus bodies were very well made and the company has not come across any major problems in all the bodies they have restored. This car has had a leather re-trim but the dashboard, instruments, chrome etc, is all in tip-top nick and ready for the next thirty years.
The benefits of Spyder's conversion are to remove the +2's mechanical fragility and replace it with robust reliability, performance and handling to bring it up to 21 st century spec. The performance improves from 0 - 60 in 8 seconds and a top speed of 120 mph to 6 seconds and 135 mph while mpg improves from 25 to 30 mpg to 35 to 40 mpg. But there's more. Since we last drove one of these conversions two years ago, Spyder's continued development has made it quieter, smoother and generally more civilised whilst losing none of its sporting appeal.
Slip behind the wheel and the driving position is excellent behind the ever-popular combination of a full-width, walnut dash complemented by thick carpet and leather trim. The pedals, strumpy gear stick and smaller than original wheel are all perfectly placed and the whole car feels perfect for your choice of relaxed cruising or a good cross-country thrash. Power from the 2-litre Zetec can be between 160 and 220 bhp dependent on specification. With an all-up weight of 835 kgs giving a power to weight ratio between 190 and 270 bhp per ton, power is no problem and indeed, when you start to rev the 16-valve, this car really flies.
KIT-CAR