‘Correct’ horn boss on a ‘69 Plus 2?

[EPC 394J]

Just sorting through a box of bits that came with my car some years ago. I came across a Lucas horn boss that may or may not have originally been fitted to the car? On the electrical contactor on the back, it has the number 33663A567. It’s quite different to what I have fitted at the moment. The entire boss currently moves to operate the horn on the car right now. It does work well! The current one looks tidy but a little ‘non original’?

Any ideas?

Many thanks.

Andy

[jono]

Andy this is the correct boss for your car - the domed alloy one with your horn push fitted.

[rgh0]

The boss and maybe whole steering wheel you have fitted is from Later cars as I have this on my 73 Plus2 s130/5.

A 69 car should have had the domed push button style and I believe they still had also the Chapman signed steering wheel

cheers
Rohan

[EPC 394J]

Hi Jono and Rohan. Appreciate your help.

According to the definitive steering wheel guide by Tim Wilkes and Mark Kempson in Club Lotus magazine, which I should have remembered earlier! The steering wheel is absolutely as original for this Plus 2S. It’s the 15” PVC (in pretty good condition) with spats. I believe some had signatures and some did not.

From that same excellent article, I see the boss currently fitted is an ‘ashtray’ boss with radiating lines and the correct font for the period. (ITC New Espirit Black) So perhaps in the 70s, the PO just preferred the later S130 style boss?

Maybe there’s also a top hat boss in my box of bits? Haven’t found it yet though!

[elan_fan]

Oh thats just the information I have been looking for, regarding the font.
I have a 69 plus 2S and managed to pick up a wheel earlier in the summer (albeit one from a later model like yours). I have both the hornpush types and whilst it would be nice to have the absolutely correct wheel, the car has had a completely incorrect wheel for most of it’s life. So at least now it has a Lotus wheel. I got a centre like yours but with no badge, so..

I have access to a uv ink flatbed printer and Adobe creative suite etc and will print the logo onto an aluminium disc and use doming resin to create the clear raised coating.

I had run the font through an online identification search and overbold was suggested but now I’ve checked, the ITC font is closer.

I’ll play with that tomorrow and see if i can make it.

Is it an old article?

Best regards
Mark

[EPC 394J]

Hi Mark

You’re welcome.

I don’t want to get your hopes up, but it’s possible I may be able to help you with a centre?

The Club Lotus article I mentioned appears as a pdf posted by trw99 in the following thread.

https://lotuselan.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=50&t=36812&start=

[EPC 394J]

It turns out the item I have is slightly bigger than the original! It doesn’t look too bad though. Let me know if it’s any use?

[elan_fan]

Thanks for the link Andy.

Regarding the centre badge - Thank you, but keep it safe for now, I am going to have a go with the printer.

It kind of annoys me to have a £100k printer at my disposal and not have a go

If it’s successful, I’ll make a few, as the doming liquid I have is enough for 10 at least.

No.2 son has a 3D printer for xmas so I’m wondering what we can make with that too.

Best regards
Mark

[Bigbaldybloke]

This is the original steering wheel from my 1967 Plus 2, it needs repairing so it has an old Motolita wheel fitted at present, but here’s the thing, the horn on my car is operated by a button on the end of the indicator stalk.
I’ve had the car since 1975 and am the second owner, the original owner did nothing to the car while he had it so I’m pretty sure it would have left the factory like that, the wiring does not look to have been modified in any way.

[ncm]

This is the original steering wheel from my 1967 Plus 2, it needs repairing so it has an old Motolita wheel fitted at present, but here’s the thing, the horn on my car is operated by a button on the end of the indicator stalk.
I’ve had the car since 1975 and am the second owner, the original owner did nothing to the car while he had it so I’m pretty sure it would have left the factory like that, the wiring does not look to have been modified in any way.

The early Plus 2 models used a Ford based system with the horn push on the end of the stalk. Later cars used a Triumph based collapsible column and associated two stalk system for the lights and indicators with the horn operated by the hornpush in the centre of the wheel.
Brian.

[Bigbaldybloke]

Thanks for confirming that Brian, all I need now is someone who can refurbish my wheel, but according to the article linked in one of the comments above, no one has found a way to repair the cracked pvc rim.

[EPC 394J]

Hi Brian

Yes mine’s a ‘69 S with Triumph collapsible column and two stalks, so that all fits in.

Thanks.

[Bud English]

Thanks for confirming that Brian, all I need now is someone who can refurbish my wheel, but according to the article linked in one of the comments above, no one has found a way to repair the cracked pvc rim.

How are your DIY skills?
Edit: If the core is truly PVC over the steel core, it's still repairable. PVC can be either solvent or heat welded. I've done it on car and RV parts and both ways are fairly easy DIY processes with information and supplies easily available. Rather than drift this thread further afield, PM me for more info if desired.

[The Veg]

When did they change from hard PVC to something else? My '70 has rubber padding over the steel core, and I presume had some upholstery over that but when I got the car the rubber was bare. I had it covered in leather just to be a little indulgent!

[pharriso]

When did they change from hard PVC to something else? ......:

They didn't!

The posted videos are very interesting for the reproduction of many parts, but not the elan steering wheel.