Fitting Badges S4 FHC

[RichardHawkins]

I had intended to leave the badge fitting to be the last job, but now as trimming is getting close I am concerned this may be an error.

Advice please,

Richard Hawkins

[smo17003]

Rather than use the correct clips and plastic plugs for the boot lid letters and rear flank badges I drilled the holes, then using a round needle file adjusted the holes so that the pins were just a snug fit. A blob of silicone on the inside of the panel keeps the badges in place.
For the front badge (if it has threaded pins) I used rubber Rawlnuts (Well Nuts) rather than a nut and washer. You can tighten the Rawlnuts finger tight so that the rubber compresses and keeps the badge secure.
Also, before finally fitting the badges, give the paintwork around the badges a good wax polish. Then, when you come to polishing the whole car, you won't have to worry about getting polish right up to the edge of the badge, and the paint behind the badge is also protected.

[512BB]

Not sure what you are seeking advice on there Richard. When, or how to fit badges?

Leslie

[JonB]

I think, "when", Leslie. Sounds like Richard doesn't want to do any trimming that would cover the inside of the panels that have badges mounted on them.

[512BB]

If that is the case, I would say now then. You dont want to be pulling off sound deadening felt in the boot once fitted, to fit badges.

Leslie

[RichardHawkins]

Leslie,

Thanks, that is what I wanted to know. Basically I need to fit the badges before the car is trimmed, is that correct?

Now in response to your offer of front trunnion seals, how to proceed with payment?

Richard Hawkins

[RichardHawkins]

Further to the advice on when to fit badges, I am now in a quandary about which badge goes where.

My car is an early ElanS4 FHC. Reading Bucklands book he is helpful about the S3 saying that there should be a shield shaped badge on both rear flanks one for world champions on the left and one for Indianapolis on the right. Buckland is vague about the S4. I spoke to Sue Miller who has supplied a shield shaped world champion badge, and an S4 badge for the rear flanks. Assuming Sue is correct, where do these two badges fit?

I am happy with the nose badge the lotus letters on the boot and the Elan badge between left hand door and the wheel arch as the holes in the body are there, and the badges/letters fit.

It is the rear flank badges I am confused by. Should there be one on each side? Which badge should fit on which side, and where should they be positioned?

Richard Hawkins

[Ray419G]

I needed to solve the same problem with my early S4 - when it was purchased it had lost the rear flank badges.
Purely from looking at lots of old photographs and looking at other Elans I came to the conclusion that for a right hand drive car, typically the S4 badge goes on the LH (near) side, and if it was fitted, the World Champion Constructors badge goes on the RH (off) side.
As is normal for a Lotus I found a lot of variations, and to add to the uncertainty, if the car is a Special Equipment version then a SE badge is usually fitted on one side or the other. Mine is a standard car so the complication of a SE badge wasn't an issue.

Ray.

[tonyabacus]

Someone out there must have a factory brochure or a Motor Show picture for your model that would give you the locations of the badges. Also give Andy the factory Archivist a call, he probably has the information from old factory advertising materials
Tony

[smo17003]

Further to the advice on when to fit badges, I am now in a quandary about which badge goes where.

My car is an early ElanS4 FHC. Reading Bucklands book he is helpful about the S3 saying that there should be a shield shaped badge on both rear flanks one for world champions on the left and one for Indianapolis on the right. Buckland is vague about the S4. I spoke to Sue Miller who has supplied a shield shaped world champion badge, and an S4 badge for the rear flanks. Assuming Sue is correct, where do these two badges fit?

I am happy with the nose badge the lotus letters on the boot and the Elan badge between left hand door and the wheel arch as the holes in the body are there, and the badges/letters fit.

It is the rear flank badges I am confused by. Should there be one on each side? Which badge should fit on which side, and where should they be positioned?

Richard Hawkins

Hi Richard,

I had previously asked a question regarding "timing" of the 63/65/68 Champion's badge for my November '68 S4 SE
viewtopic.php?f=36&t=50316
Although there was an answer to the original question for my car, there was no follow up to my other question i.e. how were pre October '68 S4's badged?
Mine has the 63/65/68 on the driver's side, and SE (no S4 badge appears to have been fitted if it was an SE) on the passenger. Both are the chrome surround oblong badges. I have not seen a 63/65 oblong badge, nor have I seen a pre 10/68 S4 with the 63/65 shield badge. That would look very strange; oblong on one side and shield on the other. But perhaps they exist, I still don't know???

Mike

[Ray419G]

Richard, following my earlier reply I have now managed to photograph and measure the position of the S4 badge on my 68 Elan. While the badge is a replacement it was obtained forty odd years ago, is the original type and fits into the original holes in the body.
From the centre of the badge, it measures 5 3/16 inches vertically down to the top of the bumper, and 7 3/8 inches horizontally to the back of the wing.
As a standard car mine seems to have only had a badge on the LH side, there were no holes on the RH side. My understanding is that when a S4 was fitted with a World Champion Constructors badge then it would typically be on the opposite side and be of the same oblong style. As Mike mentioned I have also not seen a S4 with the earlier shield style constructors badge in this position.

Ray.

[RichardHawkins]

Gentlemen,

Thanks very much, I have put in a request to the factory and wait a reply. I did not know there was a rectangular world champion badge for 63 and 65. I will see if I can find one.

Richard Hawkins