VIN# 502389
ENGINE: 1.6L Inline 4 - Rebuilt - 150 HP
TRANSMISSION: 4-Speed Manual
ODOMETER: 43,688
COLOR: Old English White
STOCK# 0033
Rebuild Work (2005 – Veloce Motors West)
In 2005, the engine was fully disassembled, inspected, machined, and rebuilt with both performance and reliability in mind. Less than 2000 miles have been driven on the car since the rebuild.
Cylinder Head Work
Pressure checked (confirmed no cracks/damage).
New valve guides installed and bores cleaned.
Valve seats enlarged, combustion chambers blended, and bigger valves fitted.
Precision valve job performed.
Head resurfaced, lap cut, and new studs fitted.
Stainless exhaust valves, upgraded valve springs, bronze guides, and new camshafts installed.
Helicoil inserts used for durability.
Bottom End & Block
Crankshaft heat treated, magnaflux checked, and polished.
Rods resized and magnaflux checked.
Block line-honed and surfaced.
Pistons machined for clearance with bigger valves.
Cosworth pistons and rings installed, with all new bearings (main, rod, thrust, pilot).
ARP hardware throughout (rod bolts, head studs, main cap bolts).
New jackshaft, timing chain, and tensioner system.
Induction & Ancillaries
Weber head and carburetors (sourced from Italy).
New carburetor rubbers, cups, and fittings.
New oil pump, water pump, and cooling system gaskets.
Aluminum flywheel installed for reduced rotational mass.
Racing clutch and bearing fitted, along with new disc, pressure plate, and related hardware.
Final Assembly
Entire engine rebuilt professionally with all new seals, gaskets, plugs, distributor components, and ignition upgrades.
Dyno tested after break-in, confirming strong performance.
Beyond the rebuild, the engine benefits from DB Stage 3 camshafts, Cosworth pistons, Weber head and carbs, aluminum flywheel, and a racing clutch setup—bringing the build well beyond stock specification while maintaining drivability.
Dyno Test Results (November 2005)
The fresh rebuild was tested on a dyno at Veloce Motors West:
• Peak Power: 149.9 HP at 7,500 RPM
• Peak Torque: ~122 lb-ft at 5,300 RPM
◦ 115+ lb-ft torque from 5,000–6,000 RPM
◦ Over 140 HP from ~6,200 to 7,400 RPM
This output represents a significant performance increase compared to a stock Lotus Twin Cam engine, which was originally rated at ~118 HP (Big Valve spec). The aluminum flywheel, bigger valves, porting, and balanced bottom end contributed to both responsiveness and top-end power.
Overview
Owned by the same gentleman in Sonoma, California for the past 55 years, this Lotus Elan +2 has been exceptionally well cared for and loved throughout its long-term ownership.
Mechanical
The car runs and drives, though the carburetors are currently out of tune and leak slightly. A proper cleaning and adjustment will allow the engine to deliver its full performance. At present, there is occasional hesitation in fuel delivery at higher RPMs, though it remains usable and street derivable (see video). Recently, both front shocks were replaced with high-quality adjustable units from Dave Bean Engineering, improving ride and handling. The inatke and exhaust valves were recently adjusted by the specialists at Alfa Italia in Burbank, CA.
Interior
The cabin is a highlight of this car. Finished in Deep Blue Connolly hide with Wilton wool carpeting. The interior is exceptional – among the finest we’ve seen in any Elan. The seats, panels, carpets, and headliner remain pristine, while the African wood dashboard—restored at a cost of $2,000 some 20 years ago—still presents beautifully today. All gauges and lights inside and out are fully operational.
Exterior
The body panels are straight and in excellent condition, with no accident history. The Old English White lacquer paint was applied approximately 40 years ago. While the finish remains presentable from 10 feet, there are numerous cosmetic flaws consistent with age, including chips, scratches, cracking, and general wear. For a driver-quality car, the paint remains serviceable.
Undercarriage
The underside is exceptionally solid, rust free, and shows no signs of accident damage.
This vehicle is sold with a clean and clear title.
SOLD
5-Day / 100 mile return policy*
*We want every customer to feel confident and satisfied with their purchase. That’s why we offer a 5-day / 100-mile return option on every vehicle we sell —something you’ll rarely find in the classic car market.
Not completely satisfied with your purchase? You can return your vehicle, no questions asked, provided the following conditions are met:
The buyer must notify us of their decision to return the vehicle within 5 days of delivery.
The vehicle must have been driven fewer than 100 miles since delivery.
Return transportation is the responsibility of the buyer.
The vehicle must be returned to our dealership in the same condition as when purchased.
Refunds will be processed and issued within two weeks of the vehicle’s return.
Please Note:
Vehicles purchased with financing are subject to a 3% restocking fee.
The description above provides only a general overview of the vehicle and should not be the buyer’s only source of information. It is the buyer’s responsibility to verify the vehicle’s authenticity, matching numbers, condition, year, model, make, type, rarity, history, and any other important details.
This vehicle description is presented to the best of our knowledge at the time of posting. While we make every reasonable effort to provide accurate and complete information, we do not guarantee the accuracy of any details and assume no liability for any errors, omissions, or misstatements. We welcome and appreciate any corrections or additional information.
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