Cars for sale at Spyder

[Spyder fan]

There are currently three cars for sale at Spyder all advertised on car and classic.

I'm making a trip to Spyder on Wednesday next week to review all three cars. I have known Sean Reeve who is the owner of Spyder since 2004 and he has become a good friend over the years, my handle on here is Spyder Fan and it's for good reason in that I have always felt that so long as I did my part as a good customer (pay up and don't expect something for nothing!) that I would be treated well and that Spyder would do their part as a good supplier/restorer/repairer. This has been the case and I always thoroughly recommend their services.

The first is Sean's own +2 Zetec priced at £44,995

Link here https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C443155




The second is a Colorado Orange standard Elan +2S that is nearing completion of a full restoration priced at £24,995

Link here https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1689937



The final car is an early +2 that appears to be very original described as a very good entry level classic Lotus priced at just £15,995

Link here https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1689923


The first car is Sean's own Elan +2 Zetec that has pretty much the ultimate resto mod specification. Briefly it has a 210BHP Raceline engine coupled to a 5 speed gearbox with a Limited slip diff, full back to gel coat respray, full leather interior with high back seats, basically too may extras to list. I used my zetec price list to tot up what this car would cost to build and it's north of £65K and you would need a donor car to start with!

The Colorado +2 is in the process of being reassembled having had a pretty comprehensive rebuild and refresh, the asking price is for the fully assembled car, but you could be involved at this stage and specify a few aspects before completion, obviously i won't get to drive this car, but I can take photos and report.

The Early Red +2 looks charming in the photos, possibly very original going by the colour in the engine bay. For a car offered by a dealer the price is very reasonable, it's described as a good runner, so they have to honour that!

I will be seeing all three cars and driving 2 of them on Wednesday, happy to report on condition or any other aspect that any member here would like to know.

[HCA]

I’d consider the Zetec if I did not have so many unfinished projects lying around! I think he will get some serious offers.

How you can say in another post that a tatty, badly cobbled together S2 has a ‘come and buy me’ estimate higher than Reev’s asking price surprises me though !!!

[berni29]

Hi

I will be interested to hear your thoughts on the differences between the Zetec and the early original car in terms of feel.

I am nearing putting together a full Zetec conversion, and have an early car waiting after that is done. So very interested.

All the best

Berni

[Spyder fan]

I’d consider the Zetec if I did not have so many unfinished projects lying around! I think he will get some serious offers.

How you can say in another post that a tatty, badly cobbled together S2 has a ‘come and buy me’ estimate higher than Reev’s asking price surprises me though !!!

The tatty badly cobbled together S2 may “possibly’ be a genuine Shapecraft conversion. I seriously doubt that it is. The “come and buy me’ reference is from the auctioneer who is alluding to the fact that he thinks it may be a Shapecraft but do your own research. The estimate is very low even for a tatty one, but is it a real one? I think not,
I wouldn’t recommend buying it, that’s for sure.

[Spyder fan]

Hi

I will be interested to hear your thoughts on the differences between the Zetec and the early original car in terms of feel.

I am nearing putting together a full Zetec conversion, and have an early car waiting after that is done. So very interested.

All the best

Berni

I can promise you that it will be like night and day, don’t forget I own a Zetec +2 and used it previously as a standard +2S. I’m sure I will find the early car very quaint and nostalgic, but I will try my best to give an honest report on its condition as well as a comparison to the converted car .

[HCA]

I’d consider the Zetec if I did not have so many unfinished projects lying around! I think he will get some serious offers.

How you can say in another post that a tatty, badly cobbled together S2 has a ‘come and buy me’ estimate higher than Reev’s asking price surprises me though !!!

The tatty badly cobbled together S2 may “possibly’ be a genuine Shapecraft conversion. I seriously doubt that it is. The “come and buy me’ reference is from the auctioneer who is alluding to the fact that he thinks it may be a Shapecraft but do your own research. The estimate is very low even for a tatty one, but is it a real one? I think not,
I wouldn’t recommend buying it, that’s for sure.

Sorry, yes, reading it again, I see what you are referring to! I thought you had better taste than to think the estimate is tantalising!

[Spyder fan]

I badly wanted to build a Shapecraft replica and even went so far as collecting the major parts required including an S2 lightweight bodyshell, the problem was that I didn’t have an identity for the car and I wasn’t happy about acquiring one as this would just give me problems with DVLA getting it registered unless I basically told big fibs. I was in the process of trying to acquire a complete S2 needing restoration, but was always up against those wanting the same car to build a GTS/26R race car. So I gave up on the idea and sold my stash of parts. I still have a soft spot for fastback Elans though,

Sean’s Zetec +2 is the main reason for my visit, he has had a gearbox specialist design a new gear linkage for the MT75 which he says makes the change very similar to the original lotus 4 speed in the way gears are selected in the rifle bolt manner we all love. I had a visitor last week who came to see my +2 because he’s thinking of buying one and wanted to get a feel for what they are like before plunging in, he asked if there were any aspects of the car that were disappointing and I had to admit the gear change was a bit of a pudding stirrer and that the steering is very heavy at parking speeds. £44,995 and needs nothing, I might part exchange for mine

[h20hamelan]

Time to move to Canuckleland
Registration is in the eye of the beholder

[draenog]

Check the rear tyres on the red +2 before driving it

https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/re ... calls=true

[gav]

Alan

I am also interested in how you get on with the revised MT75 gear change.

If you are able, please could you establish when it will be available and how much.

Many thanks
Gavin

[Spyder fan]

Hi Gavin,
Yes I will find out the cost and availability as well as reviewing. I may be able to take a video if I get assistance. Hopefully it’s as good as Sean says it is.

[Spyder fan]

Check the rear tyres on the red +2 before driving it

https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/re ... calls=true

I think it has new tyres all round, but thanks for the heads up! I’m changing tyres on my S4 this year, ithey have at least 5mm of tread left, but they are now 10 years old so no longer as grippy as they were.

[berni29]

Hi Alan

Yes I am sure the cars will feel very different, but how about VS a Spyder chassied standard car? Especially one that was running fuel injection on the Twincam?

The spring rates are the same on the Zetec's and standard cars, it is really just the different steering racks and RSC rear suspension on the Zetecs, as well as the thicker anti roll bar.

I have a friend who swears he can immediately tell the difference in ride between a standard lotus chassied car and a similar car that has had a spaceframe replacement. I would think that tyre brand or pressures would mask any difference but he insists not. He has a Plus 2 and has had several in the past so he has some seat of the pants experience.

All the best

Berni

[draenog]

Check the rear tyres on the red +2 before driving it

https://www.check-mot.service.gov.uk/re ... calls=true

I think it has new tyres all round, but thanks for the heads up! I’m changing tyres on my S4 this year, ithey have at least 5mm of tread left, but they are now 10 years old so no longer as grippy as they were.

I'm almost in the same boat. Expensive XAS tyres which are now 9 years old, that I haven't got the use out of due to various extended lay-ups (first rotoflex failure and then a failing rear crankshaft seal, going from a couple of drips to a puddle, requiring an engine out job). Hoping for a good final year, and then a decision what to replace them with...

[Spyder fan]

Hi Berni,
I will try and and be objective in my report, but as we all know I am biased in favour of modified cars. The main reason for the visit is to see Sean (old pal) and to try out the new gear linkage.

Interestingly there is an Elan in the workshop with a jenvey injected twincam and space frame chassis that may or may not be available for a quick drive, but I think probably not as there was talk about fitting a 6 speed BMW gearbox (Gertrag I think) which they hope is an easier conversion than the MX5/Miata 6 speed.

I tend to treat a driving experience as a whole package, how does the car look, how does it sound, how does it drive and most importantly how does it make me feel, hopefully not disappointed. Can the plus points outweigh the minus points and there are always minus points.

Andy Widnall always said it was unfair to compare a Spyder converted car with a standard car unless the standard car had been fully mechanically restored with every nut and bolt replaced like for like with a Zetec conversion including new chassis, suspension and sill members. Most original cars have been maintained rather than fully restored, some are very tired although they look good.

The wheels and tyres make a big difference 14x6 with 185/65 vs 13x5 with 165 or 175 /75 ( should be 165/82 but no longer available) also solid bespoke cv driveshafts with Scorpio LSD and very different gear ratios.

Anyway, I’m looking forward to seeing Sean tomorrow, it will be a good day out, I will do my best to report honestly and fairly.