S1 Elan, what does this clip do ?

[mazlot]

Any ideas, I don't think it is factory.

The car did race with a hardtop, I reckon it was to hold the hardtop onto the screen, any other thoughts ?

[Elanintheforest]

My S2 has a hardtop but doesn't have that clip. I guess it's a belt and braces job...an extra strap for the hardtop?

Mark

[mazlot]

I should add that I don't have the original hardtop, so cannot check my theory.

[frearther]

It looks to me like the location hole for the eyelet into which the prong on the top front of the cantrail fits (for soft tops).

[types26/36]

Its difficult to tell from your pic but I think you are refering to the lower "thing" that is pop-riveted to the frame and not the holes, the top hole is for the eyelet (cant rail) and used to fit the hardtop with a bolt after the eyelet is removed. No Idea what the other hole is for.
The "thing" looks like the base of a "lift the dot" fitting as used on soft tops and tonneau covers.

[garyeanderson]

http://www.lotuselan.net/forums/viewtop ... 0140#80140

Some info I posted a while ago on hardtop hardware, with a couple diagrams out of the early Elan manual and photos of Andy Bodges hardtop hardware and one of my favorite photos of Beauregard . I should probably delete some of the info there but I guess I won't

Gary

[types26/36]

Just had a thought, may be the other hole had a base like this (for a soft top) it became detached and the the other base was fitted???

[garyeanderson]

the lower hole and the bracket is not stock it is a rig by someone.

this photo that Brian posted below is correct.

[cabc26b]

If I had to guess the previouse owner adapted the A-pillar to accept a non-standard soft-top - hence removing the snap and replacing it with the stud....hardtops don't attach anywhere near that spot - see pict -