‘The Plus 2 was restored by Lotus at the factory’
1974 Elan plus 2 130/5 and 1973 Lotus Elan Sprint Jim Estall, London
That Plus 2 colour is Roman Purple and it works well I reckon – a perfect Seventies hue. It’s the 130/5 version with the Maxi five-speed ’box, which makes for effortless long-distance cruising. This car was restored by Lotus in 1982 and I have had it for years. I’ll never part with it. The other car is A Lotus Elan Sprint that I have owned for four years. I'm the second owner, it has just 20,000 miles and it is completely original. I saw it in the Lotus Club magazine and had to have it. Both cars are timeless classics and will never look dated, though the colours have – but in a good way. The pictures were taken at the factory during celebrations for the company's 70th anniversary.