Challenge: Can you identify this?

[bronco]

The sun was shining yesterday. I had to go to DIY store so I extricated my 1971 Elan Sprint from the garage. Freshly MOT'd, roof down and with a 3/4 full tank of super unleaded I headed off on the 10 mile round trip.
After a 60 mile drive including the lovely Hindhead Tunnel and a stop off at the DIY store, I almost forgot, I arrived home. (Has anybody else noticed how noisy that tunnel is? )
As I was levering myself out of the car, it's at times like this I realise I am not getting any younger, I saw this oily piece of metal in the drivers footwell just in front of the accelerator pedal.
It has sheared off from one side and it had clogs of oil in the recesses.
The question is: What is it and where did it come from? I have attached photos
It wasn't there a couple of weeks ago when I vacuumed it after I had done some work with the electrics behind the speedo including removal of the speedo. (I had an earthing problem surprise, surprise) It's logical to suggest I did some damage to something behind the dashboard while forcing my hand through the tangle of wires. But what?
If you know, and better still have a photo of the part that you can post I would be grateful.
I am as certain as I can possibly be that it's come off the car and I need to know it's not something vital from the steering or pedal arrangement for instance.
Come on Lotus Elan Net! Let's see how good you are.......

Thanks!
Bronco

[ricarbo]

Could it be part of the clip which cancels the turn indicator switch?

[robertverhey]

Looks a lot like the door check tube stop spring, or part thereof. These live high up in the footwell in the a pillar. Poor design, breakage inevitable. Mine were broken on both sides, readily sourced from SJ, not expensive, about 6 pounds. Search sj for "spring clip", Robert

[bronco]

Spot on Robert! Thank you. It is part of a 'spring clip for door check strap', here's a photo of the complete item off the S J Sportscars website.
Posted at 9:05 and resolved at 9:45..... That's great going.

Thanks!

Bronco

[robertverhey]

And from the other side of the world no less! Now everyone duck across and solve my steering rack mounting mystery in my resto thread!

[nigelrbfurness]

I think its a piece of the clip that holds the door check rod in the open position and keeps the door from shutting itself while you get out!. Looks like its broke at some point.

Nigel F.