Ever see one? 1974 Lotus Elan + 2 S.130/5 5 Speed in Black & Ride on My Car Story with Lou Costabile

On "My Car Story" we're in the Western Suburbs of Chicago IL on 7-2-24.
We're looking at a 1974 Lotus Elan + 2 S.130 / 5 in Black Paint.
The car comes with the Twin Cam “Big Valve” 4 Cylinder engine and a 5 Speed manual transmission.
The car's Owner is Steve Styers. Steve’s had this car since 2007. Steve shares he likes the Lotus for handling. He found this one in Canada and believes it might be one of the few in the USA.
ENJOY!

[@loucostabile]

Hi, If you like this video, please click on SUPER THANKS ❤ with the $ in the middle which is the SUPER THANKS button under the video. Thank you! Lou

[@michaelschneider-]

Now,,,,,,, that is a beauty. .. Check out owner Steve's other metal in the additional rear garage & driveway. .. That's a car guy. .. Can't beat a Lotus with a twin cam... Thanks for sharing guys! .. The owner Steve can shift that puppy !!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Michael, Happy to read "Now,,,,,,, that is a beauty" :-) Lou

[@michaelpacini1332]

That Lotus has such a good sound to it Lou . Beautiful.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Michael, Happy to read you enjoy the sounds and looks of this car :-) Lou

[@will5150]

beautiful car.

[@loucostabile]

Hi William, Happy to read you appreciate the looks of this car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this KZbin Channel, Lou

[@TheGunfighter45acp]

Boy, what a gorgeous Lotus! I have never seen one of these until, now. What a great find for the channel! Mr. Styers certainly knows his Lotus cars and car history, and I'm so glad you found him and took us all along for the ride. Thanks, Lou!

[@loucostabile]

Hi TheGunfighter45acp, Happy to read you enjoy the looks of this Lotus :-) I like the looks too. Glad you're along for the ride. You're welcome, Lou

[@budgetaudiophilelife-long5461]

🙋‍♂️THANKS LOU AND STEVE FOR SHARING THIS CUTE LITTLE CAR ,😎 A LOTTA FUN TO DRIVE AND I ALSO LOVE ❤️ THE WOOD DASHBOARDS 💚💚💚

[@loucostabile]

You're welcome Budget Audiophile Life-long :-) My pleasure sharing this car with you.

[@JeffKing310]

Very cool Lotus! You’ve got to appreciate the Lotus approach towards engineering - especially taking the weight out. Thanks Lou for letting us see this classic.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Jeff, Happy to read "Very cool Lotus!" :-) Glad Steve was willing to share this car. You're welcome, Lou

[@cjdesign5700]

What a unique exotic Steve has...never has seen one...thanks Lou

[@loucostabile]

Happy that Steve shared this one with us :-) You're welcome CJ Design.

[@Paul-fv4no]

That exhaust note, music to my ears.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Paul, Happy to read you enjoy the sounds from this car :-) Lou

[@keith3970]

Boy,Lou,you can sure find 'em.Great video.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Keith, Happy to share this one with you :-) Lou

[@JaimeSalcedoA_72]

Wonderful, and rare, 1974 Lotus Elan +2 S.130/5 in Black! With its beautiful and typical European aerodynamic lines, its wedge-shaped front, along with its characteristic retractable headlights, in addition to those striking wheels with its central three-point fixation wheel, apart from its plates, on both sides, over the years in which Lotus was "Constructors' Champion" in the races, and the model in question, an "Elan +2", this car exudes uniqueness in everything! I love the interior combination of cream upholstery, along with the elegant wooden instrument panel, highlighting the beautiful dials and switches, and its sporty steering wheel with three holey spokes; obviously shifted to the right like British cars. Fantastic layout of the engine compartment, with that four-cylinder Lotus "Big Valve" Twin Cam, which, by the way, sounded very good! It was a real pleasure to see him at the end of the journey moving along those straights and curves (you can tell that he has excellent handling, typical of Lotus). Congratulations to Mr. Styers, for taking care of this British classic, and for being a fan of the legendary brand! Great video, as always, Lou!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Jaime, Happy to read this one is "Wonderful" and you're right, a rare sight to see. Thank you for viewing, and so much fun to read what you see. Lou

[@larryharry7221]

Nice car Lou.

[@loucostabile]

Glad you like it Larry :-)

[@leroycaudill96]

One of a kind thanks Lou God Bless.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Leroy, You're right. You're welcome. Blessings received. God bless you too, Lou

[@johncornell3665]

First time seeing one in a video. What a cool Lotus. Amazing car and love the sound of the engine. Thanks Lou!

[@loucostabile]

Happy to read "First time seeing one in a video" :-) Glad to read you enjoy this "Amazing car" and the sounds from it too. You're welcome John!

[@cmdrdarwin3682]

Super cool!!😎

[@loucostabile]

Nice :-)

[@patkane761]

Back in the 80s there was one in Jersey City NJ, my landlord had it in his garage. Everything was on the wrong side and it was a 5 speed, I don't know about all the other numbers or the exact year but he said it was the hardest car to learn how to shift. Thanks for one that most folks would never know about Lou. 😎✌️👍👍

[@loucostabile]

Hi Pat, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Landlords car in NJ :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing, and you're welcome, Lou

[@hipopotamus2625]

Nice car 😊

[@loucostabile]

Hi The real truth liberates, Happy to read you appreciate this "Nice car" :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this KZbin Channel, Lou

[@marigold6581]

Hi Steve, my first elan plus 2 was in 1981 when in the army , s4 as a wedding car in 1887 , had two more plus 2s and now live in Nova Scotia with a right hand drive plus 2s 130/5 great cars to own a love , regards Alan.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Alan, Happy to read you have had, and have some fun cars :-) Hope you see many more cars on this KZbin Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this KZbin Channel, Lou

[@cobracharmer6178]

Really nice Lou! Never saw 1 of these before. Haven’t seen a Lotus in a long time. I thought they’d shuttered the factory. Today, the Lotus is alive and well. 🤔 They’re owned by a Chinese company called Geely. Thanks Lou! 😀👍

[@loucostabile]

Hi Cobra Charmer, Happy to share one you haven't seen below. I was glad Steve was willing to share. Thank you for sharing your Lotus knowledge. You're welcome, Lou

[@markwhitaker3673]

What a lovely Plus 2 and in black-a rare color for these unless one of the JPS versions with gold metalflake roof sold only in the UK and Europe. Only about 250-300 of the Federal Big Valve Plus 2S 130 cars were imported to the US , almost all of which were 72 model yr and 4 speed only. Lovely oatmeal interior with fabric seat inserts and beautiful burl dash-love all the instruments and so well equipped with fog lights, rear screen demister, electric windows and map light- real GT stuff. Nice to have a fuse block at the front of the dash as well for access. Such a nice car to drive with more room, nicer ride than my 69 ElanS4 and I really wish I had 5speeds too! Thanks for sharing-cheers.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Mark, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge. Hope you see many more cars on this KZbin Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this KZbin Channel. Cheers, Lou

[@Scalihoo]

These cars were the inspiration for the original Mazda Miata design ..Really cool car !

[@loucostabile]

I can see how that inspiration could happen.

[@robh.5242]

Nice! A red 1967 AC was used in the Avengers TV show in several of the Tara King episodes.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Rob H., Thank you for sharing some TV info. Lou

[@wjack4728]

Cool car! Always been a Lotus fan.

[@loucostabile]

Happy to read you enjoy this "Cool car!" :-)

[@user-sr8wd3dz6d]

The Europa model, I rode in one. Small and high revving. The first time I saw a double overhead cam. It was like, getting into a glove with the structure running between the seats.

[@loucostabile]

Like this one? kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZrKq4Wgd7qLgtk

[@BillMcDevitt-yg8yr]

Lou, another awesome car. My 1965 Imperial has a real Claro Walnut dash. It makes a huge difference in how the car presents. This car is almost as cute at that Marlin you recently featured. My Dad was big into Triumph cars. He and my brother were big English car fans. I always was with Mopar, of course.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Bill, Happy to read you enjoy this car :-) Glad to read your car has a cool wood dash :-) Make sure you share this car with your Dad & Brother, Lou

[@davidbaron6647]

❤ love it Lou

[@loucostabile]

Hi David, Happy to see and read "love it" :-) Lou

[@richcoleman469]

Sweet little car and lovely dash.

[@loucostabile]

Nice :-)

[@jamesmay5810]

Amazing! Thanks!

[@loucostabile]

Hi James, Happy to read "Amazing!" :-) You're welcome, Lou

[@jerrywarren2007]

Stunning car and lovely sound to accompany the driving experience. My cousin had a 70s era Europa. By far the worst POS on the road. The frame cracked after a few months of driving on jarring NE roads. A lot of the interior was glued on and would fall off on a sunny day.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Jerry, Happy to read you enjoy the looks and sounds from this car :-) Your Cousin's car sounds like a not so fun experience. Thanks for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@johnnyboy1586]

Wow beautiful car looks stunning from every angle😊

[@loucostabile]

High praise.

[@loveisall5520]

I remember when this car came out. It is so stunning. You could just pick a lotus from other brands.

[@loucostabile]

Hi LoveIsAll, Happy to read you remember this car when it came out :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@danam0228]

Looks like a lot of fun 😊

[@loucostabile]

:-)

[@Merylstreep1949]

It sounds rauty as the British say❤love the right hand drive too

[@loucostabile]

Nice :-)

[@richardkelly4667]

Lou, I believe those switches are rocker switches, not toggles. Nice video; keep it up!

[@wmalden]

Thank you for that! I had to chuckle when Lou said “the curve of the door matches the owner’s body.” 😜

[@loucostabile]

Richard, Yes, I say some things when I look back at the videos that make me laugh.

[@johnchurch4705]

I’ve driven an Elan +2, my mechanic friend rebuilt the engine in one, it was an early car with a 4speed transmission, fun to drive but you don’t realise how low you are until you pull up beside a lorry 🚛 or SUV.

[@loucostabile]

Hi John, Happy to read this car brings back memories of the car you drove :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou

[@Irishfan]

I may be wrong, but the only time I ever heard the word Lotus back in 1974, it was associated with the Indianapolis 500. Didn't they have Lotus engines in race cars? This is a first for me to see this car anywhere, unless it was in a James Bond movie. I didn't always know what the cars were in his movies. My car knowledge is mostly American. This car was definitely cool.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Daniel, Happy to share a car you have not seen. Here is that Lotus you remember from the Indianapolis 500, Lou kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZbElaKOqamJmrs

[@grahambell4298]

Regarding the smell of fuel I'd advise checking the rubber fuel hoses for signs of surface cracking. Old fuel hoses and modern ethanol infected fuels are not a good mix as the rubber perishes and cracks. If left too long you can get fuel spraying round a hot engine bay followed by a fire. It's happened to several classic cars here in the UK and I wouldn't want to see it happen to that Lotus.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Graham, Thanks for sharing a tip. Lou

[@michaelcoffey7362]

Nice 😀

[@loucostabile]

Hi Michael, Happy to read you enjoy this "Nice" car :-) Lou

[@user-ys7ng6hq5j]

Дуже красиве авто! Звук двигуна! Дякую!

[@loucostabile]

Hi Сергій, Happy to read you enjoy the looks and sounds of this car :-) You're welcome, Lou

[@user-yo7oj9vj3y]

Nice little car

[@loucostabile]

Glad you like it :-)

[@keithcasner6842]

He has a Great 👁 For styling. He mentioned the 53 Studebaker 😂😂😂

[@loucostabile]

Hi Keith, Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many more cars on this KZbin Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this KZbin Channel, Lou

[@drcandor]

Very nice, and in black. . . :>/

[@loucostabile]

Happy to read you enjoy this "Very nice" car :-)

[@gunrunnerak4774]

This car is beautiful esp in black. This, the Carlton, and all models of the esprit are probably my favorite cars next to the gto judges and the buick gsx. Making Lotus probably my favorite car manufacturer even though i have never drove any or even seen any besides maybe 1 or 2 when i was child at car shows.. Awesome video and thanks for sharing as always!!!

[@loucostabile]

Hi gunrunnerak4774, Happy to read you appreciate the looks of this car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing, and you're welcome. I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this KZbin Channel, Lou

[@smoath]

👍🏻

[@loucostabile]

:-)

[@automatedelectronics6062]

Cool car. But you wouldn't catch Emma Peel driving this Elan. Atleast it had the twin-cam engine and not the usual Renault faire. Hey, put somebody in that back seat when you go for a drive! lol

[@loucostabile]

Hi Automated Electronics, Happy to read you enjoy this "Cool car" :-) A small child might fit in the back seat, Lou

[@johnchurch4705]

The Elan only had the twin cam engine, the early Europa had the Renault engine, Linda Thorson drove a red one in season 6 of The Avengers.

[@automatedelectronics6062]

@@johnchurch4705 But I was talking about Emma Peel played by Diana Rigg.

[@johnchurch4705]

@@automatedelectronics6062 I know, I just added the comment as not everyone knows about Lotus cars and The Avengers tv series.

[@godsowndrunk1118]

Right amount of peddles , but they're in the wrong spot.... How's anybody supposed to reach those ?

[@loucostabile]

NICE :-)

[@saganich74]

Never seen one running, just ones gathering dust in peoples garages broken down

[@loucostabile]

Happy to share one running with you.

[@ripstill]

😶😵‍💫🤩

[@loucostabile]

:-)

[@alanmorrison3598]

Hey Lou..I believe Jaguar is also an English car no? 4:18

[@loucostabile]

Hey Alan, Yes, Jaguar, Aston Martin, Bentley, Land Rover, Lotus, McLaren, Rolls Royce, etc...

[@alanmorrison3598]

@@loucostabile your comment about the dashboard prompted my comment Lou..❤️

[@BeauQuillen]

1:46 Is that his car as well?

[@loucostabile]

Yes, the 1936 Bentley will be coming up on the Channel too, so stay tuned for that story.

[@BeauQuillen]

@@loucostabile great

[@user-tw6gm3rt5b-f4r]

which cars are bulletproof

[@loucostabile]

....tanks?

[@islanddon865]

Nothing handles like a Lotus. Absolutely NOTHING!!! -Former 72 Lotus Europa owner.

[@loucostabile]

Hi Island Don, Thank you for sharing your knowledge. Happy to read you enjoyed your fun car, Lou