Bit of Lip

[trw99]

On the vast majority of Sprint bodies from mid 1971 onwards, there is a small but none the less prominant lip around the bottom of the rear valance. My assumption is that a different mould from that used for the S4 was used for Sprints, since all S4s I remember seeing do not have this 'bit of lip'.

So - two questions. Do any S4 owners with original bodies have the lip? Do any Sprint owners with original bodies not have the lip?

Tim

[nebogipfel]

I've always wondered about the lip .......... not sure what function it performs if any?

I think they look better without

It'll be interesting to read the replies

PS No lip

[elansprint71]

It is a joint between the under-bumper valance section and the boot floor. I guess it was to strengthen the area or, more likely, ease manufacture. It is painted satin black on my '72 car; when it came back from the body repair shop they had left it white and it looked really crap, so I returned it to the original black. See the colour section in Chris Harvey's book The Elite, Elan and Europa which shows a period factory shot of a show car; however Tim Wilkes, on his excellent Sprint site (link below) reckons it was white.
My '68 car did not have it; don't know when it appeared.

http://www.lotuselansprint.com/index.asp?pageid=41772

Cheers,
Pete.

[robcall]

Hi Tim
0415G did not have the lip.
BTW the +2 gained this appendage as well

[cocky]

Tim,
FWIW I was told that the lipped bodies were lightweight Sprint bodies. The source was reasonably reliable. BTW my S4 (8380) didn't have one.
Cheers,
Chris

[richardcox_lotus]

If memory servers me correctly.........I recall this being termed "the hickman flange", and was introduced to simplify/reduce cost of manufacture. I must admit is doesn't look particularly elegant.

It's on my '72 Sprint

Richard

[reb53]

Sorry, the posted links are no help to me.

Could someone post a picture of what you're referring to ?

Thanks
Ralph.

[types26/36]

Could someone post a picture of what you're referring to ?.

The black (and damaged) lip at the bottom

[kstrutt11]

This is the same as my late +2, so i suspect it was cost reduction excercise, if it is like the +2 there is no finishing work to do, just butt the 2 sections up and lay tape over the top from the inside, it also makes it very easy to line things up if you have to replace the rear outer body as I did. Agree it looks rubbish if not painted black though.

Kevin

[bcmc33]

I have to admit to not noticing the lip until someone made comments at a Staffordshire Lotus Club meeting during the summer.
It was on a member?s 72 Sprint and looked obvious as it was painted white. I don?t think it would be that noticeable when painted black.

However, back to Tim?s original question ? the two other Sprints at the club do not have the lip and neither does an S4/Sprint.

Apart from the lip, Brian?s picture shows a protrusion below the lip and what appears to be a fixing ? what is this protrusion and what is it fixing?

This whole thing looks quite ugly (IMHO) ? my car looks terrific and sleek from the rear.

[robcall]

[quote="bcmc33"Apart from the lip, Brian?s picture shows a protrusion below the lip and what appears to be a fixing ? what is this protrusion and what is it fixing? [/quote]

looks flat to me-nothing there apart from two of the three tank locating bolts

[Alex]

Could be a negative Gurney! All the rage in F1 at the moment. Maybe a case of Lotus being ahead of the game again....

[trw99]

Could be a negative Gurney! All the rage in F1 at the moment. Maybe a case of Lotus being ahead of the game again....

Having dropped that one into the conversation, please explain what a 'negative Gurney' is/does, Alex I have no idea!

Tim

[Alex]

Hi Tim,

A Gurney flap is a small angle piece fitted to the rear edge of an aerodynamic wing used to affect the airflow. They can point upwards or downwards.

[types26/36]

[quote="bcmc33"]Apart from the lip, Brian?s picture shows a protrusion below the lip and what appears to be a fixing ? what is this protrusion and what is it fixing? quote]

Dont know what " protrusion/fixing" you are refreing to the only fixing is the tank mounting bolt as noted by Rob, I might have a "hernia" but dont think I have a "Gurney"