1971 Lotus Elan +2 'S' 130

Registration No: LAB 703K
Chassis No: 7101020360L
MOT: September 2023

• Originally finished in Lotus Yellow with Black upholstery and supplied new by Foley Park Motors
• Subject to a 'ground up, body off' restoration by marque specialists Robin F. Alabaster and Rapier Services in 1996-1997
• Subsequently used for a period to commute between the UK and Stuttgart (the owner who commissioned the renovation was a Mercedes-Benz designer)

According to its accompanying Lotus Classic Certificate of Vehicle Provenance, chassis 7101020360L was completed during January 1971 and originally finished in Lotus Yellow with a Silver roof and Black upholstery. Despatched to Foley Park Motors on 19^th February 1971, the Elan +2S 130 changed hands several times thereafter before being bought by marque enthusiast Michael West during February 1992. A designer for Hoover at the time, a subsequent job with Mercedes-Benz in Stuttgart gave him the funds to have ‘LAB 703K’ fully restored and upgraded. Having obtained a new chassis from Fibreglass Services of Arundel (the Lotus Chassis Registration Card for which remains on file), he tasked CVT Classic Sports Cars of Surrey with beginning work on the car in June 1995. However, the following year saw him entrust the project to the renowned, Club Lotus Heritage Approved specialist, Robin F. Alabaster of Aldermaston. Utilising the replacement chassis as a basis, Mr Alabaster undertook a through refurbishment of the fibreglass bodyshell as well as overhauling the steering, brakes and suspension. The ‘twin-cam’ engine was thoroughly rejuvenated by Rapier Services including the installation of an uprated water pump and conversion to unleaded fuel etc.

Fitted with air-conditioning (since disconnected), rewired and boasting upgraded driveshafts etc, ‘LAB 703K’ returned to the road in 1997 and was used to commute between Surrey and Stuttgart for a time! Now showing five former keepers on its V5C Registration Document, the Lotus has recently been recommissioned following a period of dry storage. Starting readily and running well during our recent photography session, the Elan +2S 130 is expected to possess a fresh MOT certificate by the time of sale. Three decades after it was applied, the Lotus Yellow paintwork is still bright but not imperfection free. The wood veneer dashboard is cracked in places but overall ‘LAB 703K’ remains a credit to the skill of Robin A. Alabaster and Rapier Services.

For more information, please contact:
Damian Jones
damian.jones@handh.co.uk
07855 493737