Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

While I have had my Elan S3 long enough to know the factory chassis was that
red oxide color, is this also the case with newer cars--namely my '72
+2S130--should the chassis out-the-factory-door be red oxide or black? Likewise,
while I see pictures of wheel wells always in body color, is this also correct
for the engine bay--did owners paint them black? Should the engine bay,
like the wheel wells, be body color--what's the consensus. Thanks. Gordon Sauer

I think some chassis were coated with a black undercoating-type
material, my '71 Sprint was, and I have heard of others with the
same... I can only assume it was done at the factory.

I try to refer to original Lotus brochures for paint detailing clues.
All wheel wells I have seen in factory brochures are black. Also, the
engine compartment is a "low gloss" black, with a bit of the body paint
color encroaching about an inch or so into the engine bay all around.
The fiberglass "shelf" that the front of the hood sits on is also black.

(I've learned one immediate "give-away" that a car has been repainted
is the fact that many don't bother (or know) that the little
continuos "recess" on the exterior below the door should also be
black, not the body color.

Gary
'71 Elan Sprint Coupe

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--- In ***@***.***, ***@***.***e:>

"While I have had my Elan S3 long enough to know the factory chassis
was that red oxide color, is this also the case with newer cars--namely
my '72 +2S130--should the chassis out-the-factory-door be red oxide or
black? Likewise, while I see pictures of wheel wells always in body
color, is this also correct for the engine bay--did owners paint them
black? Should the engine bay,like the wheel wells, be body color--
what's the consensus. Thanks. Gordon Sauer