Modified Cars.
Drophead Conversions
So far as I can tell the factory never got around to producing a drophead prototype +2, but a number of after market conversions were offered. Hexagon of Highgate may have converted a small number, but the most frequently encountered versions are those performed by Christopher Neil Sportscars. Maybe as many as one hundred of these conversions are out there somewhere and they look quite impressive. Another firm, Classic Transport Company offered a conversion for a while, but how many were converted is anyone's guess.
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Estate Cars
There are references to at least two factory produced estate car variants, one of which is pictured in 1972, in the Chris Harvey book Lotus, the Elite, Elan and Europa, but what has become of the cars is not known. Drop me a line if you have one of them parked in your garage or stored in your back garden.
The Lotumph
At this year's Donington show David Smith was there with a much modified +2. Featuring a lengthened Spyder chassis to accommodate a six cylinder Triumph engine, this car has a re-modelled front end with what appear to be Elite front wings joined by a GT6 bonnet. I gather that David purchased the car in this modified form and I can only assume the previous owner was some sort of genetic scientist as he has created the nearest thing to Dolly the Sheep with four wheels. Have a look at the pictures below and see what you think. In its favour, it makes access to the engine much easier if the front hinges forward in this way.
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The much modified front end of the car is much in evidence on these pictures. |
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Minor Modifications
Sun roof fittings
Again, the factory does not seem to have offered a sunroof as an option, but is a frequently encountered aftermarket modification. If you look at the pictures of the car above you can see the Webasto type roof which virtually opens up the car. Under the fabric cover is a sliding grill.
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More recent sunroof conversions include the pop up type with tinted glass, as shown here. |
Vinyl Roof coverings
The silver roof finish which distinguished the later big-valve cars did not always retain its finish as time wore on and a number were recovered with a vinyl covering. Quite a few production cars of the time had this type of covering, so its not as strange an idea as it might seem now.
| Two variations on the vinyl roof theme, one in black and one
in brown. If you look carefully at the yellow car below, you will see a
most unusual accessory for a +2, it has a tow bar!
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