Lotus Elan +2

The Beginning.

I first acquired TMM84F in 1979. I wanted a 'sports' car, so started to look around for interesting vehicles. There were several models that fell within my specifications and budget, among them were the Scimitar GTE, BMW 2002tii, and the Lotus Elan +2. It didn't take very long to decide on the Lotus which, as most people who have driven one will tell you, brought a broad smile to my face within minutes of getting into the driver's seat. After the business of haggling, exchanging money for log book and keys etc was over, I was the proud owner of a bright yellow 1968 Elan +2.

The End (very nearly)

Fast-Forward several years, to a fateful journey home from Lincolshire. I stopped at a Give Way sign. Something drew my attention to the rear view mirror, and the rapidly approaching Morris Marina. In a split second, I had to decide whether to: a) Take my foot off the brake, thereby sustaining less damage to the rear of the car, or b) Keep my foot firmly on the brake, and stop the car from being knocked into the path of the traffic crossing in front of me. I chose b, and narrowly avoided having the car's nose wiped off by a passing van.

The Damage This picture doesn't make it look too bad, but: The boot floor was totally wrecked, the boot hinges were ripped out, both rear wings were cracked, the interior fiitings in the boot were destroyed, the exhaust was bent and banging on the boot floor. The A-pillars touched the doors during the impact, but sprang apart again afterwards. The gel coat cracks that developed over the next few weeks extended from the very rear of the car to just behind the doors.

And now for the Bad News.......

Needless to say, despite having the registration number and a full description of the car and driver, I couln't trace the vehicle or it's owner. Neither could the Police. I took the car to Len Street's in Chelsea, for a repair quote. The £2000 quote was about £1700 more than I could afford, so I reluctantly took the car off the road, with the intention of rebuilding the rear end myself over the next year. "And while I'm about it" I Thought, "I'll just have a look at the Chassis".

2 House moves, 3 Jobs, 2 Kids, 6 'Everyday' cars and 20Years later, the various boxes of bits are beginning to resemble a car again. Meanwhile, the memories of driving the Elan have faded to a few sparkling moments.

2004 Update: The car has undergone a lot of changes in the last 20 years, including a new shell (which worked out cheaper than getting the old one repaired), a Spyder spaceframe chassis, rebuilt engine, gearbox and differential, rechroming, respraying by a Lotus specialist, and new wheels and tyres. Currently waiting to be fitted are a new wiring harness, Thatcham alarm system, Spyder front and rear wishbones, and Mick Miller CV Driveshafts. I still need to design and build an electric headlamp lift, then the interior and glass can be refitted. Meanwhile, it currently looks like this: