Identification Guide

This is not a comprehensive list of differences between the cars rather a quick guide to identifying a car. Like all manufacturers, there were running changes throughout the life of the Elan. In the case of Lotus, many of these changes were poorly documented. If in doubt, post a question to the LotusElan.net forum and ask.

• Roadster
• Coupe
• Race
• Plus 2
• Super Safety

Roadster/Drophead

Model	Description	Image
Elan 1500 Type 26 Elan 1500 Roadster	1500 badge on boot All were recalled from the factory and updated to Elan 1600 specification Boot lid does not extend all the way to the trailing edge of the car Lift up windows
Elan 1600 Type 26 S1 Roadster	1600 badge on boot Round tail lights No rollup windows Boot lid does not extend all the way to the trailing edge of the car Lift up windows
Roadster S2 Type 26 S2 Roadster	No rollup windows Oval tail lights. Early cars had round lights Boot lid does not extend all the way to the trailing edge of the car Lift up windows	<
Drophead S3 Type 45 S3 DHC	Electric rollup windows with fixed frames Oval tail lights
Drophead S3 S/E Type 45 S3 S/E DHC	Electric rollup windows with fixed frames Oval tail lights S/E badged Stainless steel side trims & wing mounted flasher repeaters on most cars
Drophead S4 Type 45 S4 DHC	Square tail lights Square profile wheelarches
Drophead S4 S/E Type 45 S4 S/E DHC	Square tail lights Square profile wheelarches S/E badged Stainless steel side trims & wing mounted flasher repeaters on most cars
Drophead Sprint Type 45 Sprint DHC	Complete Details Square tail lights Badged as Sprint Unique Two tone paint. Could be deleted as an option Square profile wheelarches

Coupe

Model	Description	Image
Coupe S3 Pre-Airflow Type 36 FHC-preairflow	Oval tail lights No extractor grill on the B pillar
Coupe S3 Airflow Type 36 S3 FHC	Oval tail lights Extractor grill on the rear quarter panel
Coupe S3 S/E Airflow Type 36 S3 S/E FHC	Oval tail lights Extractor grill on the rear quarter panel S/E badged Stainless steel side trims & wing mounted flasher repeaters on most cars
Coupe S4 Type 36 S4 FHC	Square tail lights Square profile wheelarches
Coupe S4 S/E Type 36 S4 S/E FHC	Square tail lights Square profile wheelarches S/E badged Stainless steel side trims & wing mounted flasher repeaters on most cars
Coupe Sprint Type 36 Sprint FHC	Complete Details Square tail lights Badged as Sprint Unique Two tone paint. Could be deleted as an option Square profile wheelarches

Racing Version

Model	Description	Image
26R Type 26 26R Race	Fixed headlights, Most not all Magnesium Lotus designed peg drive wheels S2 versions had lightweight bodies and flared fenders

Plus 2

Model	Description	Image
Plus 2 Type 50 +2	50/0001 on 2 large gauges - Speedometer, Tachometer 4 small gauges - Water Temp, Oil Pressure, Ammeter, Fuel
Plus 2 Federal Type 50 +2 Federal	50/0857 on for US, 50/0929 all markets 2 large gauges - Speedometer, Tachometer 4 small gauges - Water Temp, Oil Pressure, Ammeter, Fuel Remote boot release, flush interior door handles, modified exhaust
Plus 2S Type 50 +2 2S	50/1593 on 2 large gauges - Speedometer, Tachometer 6 small gauges -Oil, Water temp, Battery Condition, Temp, Fuel, Clock 4 warning lights in center of dash (Hazard, Parking Brake, Brake Fail, Rear Screen) New luxury interior including revised seats and centre console Fog/Driving lamps below the bumper
Plus 2S Federal Type 50 +2 2S Federal	50/2447 on 2 large gauges - Speedometer, Tachometer 6 small gauges -Oil, Water temp, Battery Condition, Temp, Fuel, Clock 4 warning lights in center of dash (Hazard, Parking Brake, Brake Fail, Rear Screen) Luxury interior including revised seats and centre console Fog/Driving lamps below the bumper
Plus 2S 130 Type 50 +2 130	71.01...0001 on 2 large gauges - Speedometer, Tachometer 6 small gauges - Oil, Water temp, Battery Condition, Temp, Fuel, Clock 3 warning lights in center of dash (Hazard, Park/Brake Fail, Rear Screen) Luxury interior including revised seats and centre console Big Valve engine Fog/Driving lamps below the bumper
Plus 2S 130/5 Type 50 +2 130/5	72.10... on Same as Plus 2S 130 with 5-speed gearbox