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The 1967 Elan +2 Brochure.
The publicity brochure for the 1967 launch of the Elan +2 was eagerly sought out by those whose appetites had been whetted by the favourable road tests. Unfortunately for Lotus, most of the print run were probably snapped up by small boys, for whom Lotus owning was not a practical proposition for some years. Of course some fathers were interested as well, for here was an opportunity to get onto the road in a Lotus which actually had room in the back for the little perishers!
This was a point not overlooked by Colin Chapman in his introduction, this was to be a family man's car:
Now I am confident, both as an engineer and as a family man that in the new " LOTUS ELAN+2" we have one of the finest cars available for the discerning motorist who demands safety, performance, styling and comfort in a motor car which reflects his own taste and ideas.
The Lotus ELAN+2 was conceived over three years ago and given a simple, basic design concept by Mr. Chapman: "it must combine the very best features of the Lotus Elan Coupe with reliability and yet be able to carry two adults and two children on a long holiday-in comfort".While the chassis and power train engineering technicians were hard at work perfecting the chassis and running gear we were making a study of the "package requirement" we wanted to retain the now classic Lotus driving position with its easy accommodation for the short or tall driver but we also wanted to make absolutely certain that the two rear seats really would accommodate children. |
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To be certain on this point we did the obvious thing, we covered many hundreds of miles with children in the car. One tester made the sensible report that "of course children don't sit in seats, they stand on them, kneel on them and fight on them." So we have made certain that the whole rear area is right for the antics of children as our design requirement specifically stated that "children should be comfortable". |
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Safety was stressed, both in terms of active and passive measures.
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Finally we wanted to make certain that the
vehicle was safe. Safety to us is two different but important factors. The first
is making certain that the car handles and brakes so well that it keeps out of
trouble the second is to be sure that everything has been done to insure
passenger protection. We are confident that attention to safety in this model
has been of the highest order resulting in one of the best handling and impact
resistant vehicles on the road today. Now of course development continues as
progress never stops.
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Bearing the caption For Modern Living the +2 is shown parked in front of the latest in modern housing and meeting a light aircraft. |
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