Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

On disassembling my latest project (Elan S3DHC) I've found a few things which appear to be factory original build but I've not seen on other Elans I've owned. The condition of the car as received, while in some ways deplorable due to wheelwell and wiring mods, nevertheless appears that the body has never been removed from the frame (bolt condition) or the interior side panels removed (all screws present and in the original holes).

The screws holding the side panels, as well as those holding the demister grill, all have an aluminum cup washer with a fold-over domed head. On the side panel screws the domes were covered with a textured black surface and I'm guessing the same was true of the demister grill screws before sunlight got to them.

Also interesting was the large number 37 in yellow paint on the rear beam above the diff, as well the handwritten note on tape on the backbone spine.

bitsobrits wrote:On disassembling my latest project (Elan S3DHC) I've found a few things which appear to be factory original build but I've not seen on other Elans I've owned. The condition of the car as received, while in some ways deplorable due to wheelwell and wiring mods, nevertheless appears that the body has never been removed from the frame (bolt condition) or the interior side panels removed (all screws present and in the original holes).

The screws holding the side panels, as well as those holding the demister grill, all have an aluminum cup washer with a fold-over domed head. On the side panel screws the domes were covered with a textured black surface and I'm guessing the same was true of the demister grill screws before sunlight got to them.

Perhaps pictures helps you:

lotus-elan-f19/anybody-know-where-can-get-some-these-t25836.html

Think they came out of the Ford parts bin.

I think that's neat stuff. I wonder if the '37' means to communicate to line workers that this chassis should
have the 3.7 diff.

Mine had this before restoration, and I've thought about getting some yellow paint to redo it.

It would be great to have an area for original build tech data on this site, where posts like this could be consolidated into a permanent record of original Elan build details. Some of the other car specific forums have this kind of technical reference area which is invaluable when doing restorations.

Great details guys. I am restoring a 1 owner 67 SE and the caps you are showing were gone. Also it didn't have the number you are showing on the frame. The SE has a 3.5 rear end so that could be the difference.

Thanks for sharing,
Rick

How early 67?
Carello side repeaters, sill stripe?

My car is 45/7286, was bought in Canada, has webers.

Rick

I thought all S3 SE cars had the chrome sill strip, didn't they? My S3 SE DHC is earlier and had the metal sill strips when I got it. They are now stored in case a future owner wants to re-install them.

My S1 factory hard top has them in white to match the headliner. Nice to know they are available...I just assumed they were unobtainium.

Kurt.

nomad wrote:My S1 factory hard top has them in white to match the headliner. Nice to know they are available...I just assumed they were unobtainium.

Kurt.

Talking screw cap's that is!

knockoffnut wrote:I thought all S3 SE cars had the chrome sill strip, didn't they? My S3 SE DHC is earlier and had the metal sill strips when I got it. They are now stored in case a future owner wants to re-install them.

Yes, but for a while they also had a big silver stripe underneath that with Lotus and a union jack at the rear edge of the front arch.
lotus-chassis-f36/sidewinders-t24756.html