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First Elan +2 road test article

PostPosted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 8:42 am
by petrolblood
I guess it is the first road test of an Elan +2 and the article is not in the Brookland Elan Portfolio.

Re: First Elan +2 road test article

PostPosted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 8:45 am
by petrolblood
Second part ...

Re: First Elan +2 road test article

PostPosted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 8:52 am
by petrolblood
Front page

Re: First Elan +2 road test article

PostPosted: Sun Apr 12, 2009 9:22 pm
by elj221c
Maybe but Car also had a test in their monthly issued in September.

I have to say though that the Motor report seems more comprehensive.

Roy
'65S2

Re: First Elan +2 road test article

PostPosted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 12:17 am
by robertverhey
A six footer in the back?.....I don't think so! Have read in various places about the "special" nature of LPW120E (blueprinted SE engine etc), on re-reading this review several decades down the track, I do question its objectivity....

ps that's not a comment on the reviewer, which is an honest appraisal of the vehicle they were given, which (undestandably) blew them away, like my +2 did every time I drove it. But I think the car was....special.

Robert

Re: First Elan +2 road test article

PostPosted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 9:13 am
by petrolblood
you're right, it's one of the first ones. Here is the other nice front page to hang on the workshop wall. I've collected a few articles. Do you have also some classic front pages to share with us +2 enthusiasts? Would be great!

Re: First Elan +2 road test article

PostPosted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 9:20 am
by petrolblood
A nice picture out of this Car article (in colour!!):

Re: First Elan +2 road test article

PostPosted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 10:17 am
by petrolblood
Autocar 1968, I've cleaned all other headlines but the elan's by photoshop and framed it. I like it.

Re: First Elan +2 road test article

PostPosted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 5:41 pm
by andyelan
Hi everyone

People were smaller years ago so maybe six footers back then weren't as big as they are today :wink:

Andy

Re: First Elan +2 road test article

PostPosted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 6:51 pm
by petrolblood
my english might be bad, but I cleary read:

"The fixed-back seats are well bolstered round the edges and slide well back so a six footer can stretch out comfortably behind the leather-rimmed steering wheel ."

Therefore it is written in the first part that the back seats are quite tolerable for two children up to 12 years.

any other Plus 2 at a magazines front page?

Re: First Elan +2 road test article

PostPosted: Wed Apr 15, 2009 7:07 pm
by andyelan
Only joking of course but it's the caption to the pic on page 36 I was refering to

Andy

Re: First Elan +2 road test article

PostPosted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 4:42 pm
by petrolblood
O Sorry! Now I see the funny picture. You're right - how would he look like if he was not reading? -quite cramped (right word?) I guess.

I have just found another nice magazine picture (Car, June 1968)

Re: First Elan +2 road test article

PostPosted: Tue Apr 21, 2009 6:59 am
by elansprint71
andyelan wrote:Hi everyone

People were smaller years ago so maybe six footers back then weren't as big as they are today :wink:

Andy


It all changed when the UK went Metric in 1974. :wink:

Re: First Elan +2 road test article

PostPosted: Wed Apr 22, 2009 9:50 pm
by gordonlund
MOTOR week ending September 2 1967. Lotus Elan +2 is in fact in the Brooklands book LOTUS ELAN Collection No.1 1962-1974 ISBN 0 907073 22 0. Page 31

Brooklands do two road test reprints. the other being Lotus Elan 1962-1973 ISBN 0 906 589 606.

Hope that's helpfull.

Gordon

Re: First Elan +2 road test article

PostPosted: Thu May 07, 2009 5:29 pm
by JJDraper
Just got round to looking at these pictures in detail.. The shot from above (Elan%2B20004.pdf) seems to show the +2 as assymetrical; the passenger door and handle (UK spec) sit further forward than the other side. I have been told, but never really checked, that +2s are not symetrical. Has anyone ever checked? Is this barrel distortion of the camera??

Second point about the room in the back seats of a +2. I attach photograhic proof that they can be used by people over 6foot with some headroom allowance (rear seat passenger is 6' 9".. front seat passenger is less..). We went to the NEC show like this a couple of years ago and caused some disbelief in the car park when I got out (I'm 6'4"), followed by someone even taller. The front seat passenger is Bob, who has recently rejoined the Lotus owning fold with a pretty Elan, and he can be a witness to the event!!

Jeremy