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European Classic Cars

Swindon

1969 LOTUS ELAN +2,JUST ONE OWNER FROM NEW,TILL 2017! SOLD

1969 LOTUS ELAN+2, Just one owner from new, up to 2017!
Apologies for the length of this advert but if you are seriously interested in an Elan +2, it's worth reading through.
Here is a lovely, early Lotus Elan+2 and one with impeccable history. A one owner car up to 2017, now on sale on behalf of it's current owner, the partner of the first owner, after the formers unfortunate passing.

Lotus Elan, chassis number 50/ 1552 was purchased new by Dr David Owen Cosgrove, from London Lotus agents, Len Street in Drayton Gardens, Chelsea, SW10. Purchased in kit form, the extensive paperwork that comes with the car show this car purchase was clearly a heart based decision for Dr Cosgrove. Professor Cosgrove, born 18th May, 1938 in Nairobi, Kenya served a long and a very well respected career in medicine, heavily involved in the development of the ultrasound scanning system. It also transpires he was a true Lotus Devotee.

The Lotus was purchased in 1969, using funds received after the sale of David's, Nairobi family home. A home that was built by David's father, an electrical engineer and I should well imagine from whom David acquired a clear interest in engineering?
As previously stated, purchased in kit form, a method Lotus used to avoid purchase tax being applied right up until the early 1970's, David, with the help of friends and close relatives built the car himself. He then took the car direct to Lotus for them to check over and confirm it had been built well and was fully roadworthy.
Once in full use, it appears the first few years of David and the Lotus's relationship were not plain sailing. Some fascinating correspondence between David and Lotus Cars, records a number of issues with the car. Whilst apparently increasingly frustrated by the issues, David clearly had a love for the marque and car, and was determind to remain a Lotus owner, long after many others may have given up!
Remain a Lotus owner he subsequently did, and it seems he had life long love of the car.

Today, the car presents in very nice and correct condition. The recorded mileage of 68k is believed genuine, the majority of these miles were carried out in the early years of ownership.
In the mid 1990's the car was handed to Mick Miller, a respected Lotus restorer, for an extensive, body off rebuild. All components rebuilt or replaced as required and it is now in what I would describe as a nicely mellowed condition, post this rebuild. It has covered minimal miles since the rebuild but with continued and regular servicing.

The bodywork presents very well, with just minor imperfections, no serious gel coat cracking and good panel fit. The interior is in lovely condition, the dashboard is excellent and still shows all the switch gear/ control labeling clearly, this frequently being worn away. There has been some rubbing to the passenger seat piping and the drivers side floor mat shows some wear, but otherwise all is excellent inside, including the door trims, roof lining and rear seats.
The chromework presents very honestly, the front bumper has marks and slight tarnishing and the window frames some light pitting, but they are original, 58 years old and best left well alone in my opinion. Likewise, the rear wheel spinners are showing some flaking of the chrome but the wheels still look good, having been refurbished by Mick Miller.
The all important chassis is in excellent, rust free order.
On the nose, the Lotus rightly wears it's black, Lotus badge in memory of Jim Clark.

On the road the car is a delight to drive, it starts easily and once warm goes very well indeed. The oil pressure is excellent, water temp very steady, with an electric cooling fan that cuts in as it should. The steering is sharp & light, the gearchange very nice and the servo assisted brakes very quick to pull up what is a very light car. The ride is rattle free, and over the bumps there are no nasty crashes or bangs in the suspension.
You really can see what the fuss is all about when you have a drive of this little Elan.
As hinted, there is an extensive history file with the car, including the original bill of sale, many letters of correspondence with Lotus Cars, service receipts, a very polite notice (no fine) from the Metropolitan Constabulary, circa 1970, warning that perhaps this vehicle had been driven a bit too quickly and they would advise a more respectable speed be adhered to in the future! Plus much more.

We are now looking for the next custodian of this lovely little Lotus, the current owner wishes to see it find an appreciative new home, someone who will love & look after it in the same manor of it's first owner. Personally, I'd love it to be me, but I would end up with nothing for sale if I succumbed to my every wish!

Please email or call for more details or to arrange a viewing.

Test drive video clip :- details above

Any inspection welcome.

This advert has now been removed through sale or otherwise.
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