Sprint cockpit rear firewall

[Chris-72sprint]

There you go, I know you wouldn’t believe I got an A in technical drawing! Was 46 years ago though! The teacher used to say “you’ve made a pig’s ear of that boy” stayed friends for the next 40 years until he shuffled off!
On leavers day I went to the butchers and got a real pig’s ear and gave it to him as a present, he never forgot it!

Many thanks - much appreciated

[vxah]

Take three!

[Elan45]

I noticed this morning that my panel doesn't have the semi-circular cut-outs near the top corners. I know my panel is original. I bought the car in 1978 after it had sat with engine apart for 10 years. Did Lotus change the panel between the pre-airflow coupes to the Sprint version? My panel is 41 inches wide at the top and 35-1/2 at the bottom

Roger

[Chris-72sprint]

I noticed this morning that my panel doesn't have the semi-circular cut-outs near the top corners. I know my panel is original. I bought the car in 1978 after it had sat with engine apart for 10 years. Did Lotus change the panel between the pre-airflow coupes to the Sprint version? My panel is 41 inches wide at the top and 35-1/2 at the bottom

Roger

Hi Roger
The half cutouts are for the seatbelt shoulder mounting.
I think early s3’s had the shoulder belt fixing where the towers bracing bar fixes.
Later s3 and s4 had the cutouts

Chris

[Elan45]

No, Chris, the early cars had only lap belts. My Super Safety has the additional bracket for 3 point belt's shoulder belt, but it is a DHC and the back panel is completely different. The "parcel shelf" became the hood tray and its just completely different.

We got the DHC in 1974 and it became our primary car, to replace our Mk2 Cortina GT. Our son was 4 years old and he fit quite well under the roll bar and he could sit on the back part of the center backbone where it Y-ed out. When the front turret broke from rust, the DHC was replaced by the coupe I am restoring now and although the paint was terrible, we drove it from Ohio to Watkins Glen for the GP and to celebrate Mario's world championship. Brent didn't fit quite the same in the coupe, even w/ no rollbar to duck under and despite being 4 years older. Poor kid had a rough childhood.

The DHC got a new Galvo frame in 1984

Roger

[Chris-72sprint]

No, Chris, the early cars had only lap belts. My Super Safety has the additional bracket for 3 point belt's shoulder belt, but it is a DHC and the back panel is completely different. The "parcel shelf" became the hood tray and its just completely different.

We got the DHC in 1974 and it became our primary car, to replace our Mk2 Cortina GT. Our son was 4 years old and he fit quite well under the roll bar and he could sit on the back part of the center backbone where it Y-ed out. When the front turret broke from rust, the DHC was replaced by the coupe I am restoring now and although the paint was terrible, we drove it from Ohio to Watkins Glen for the GP and to celebrate Mario's world championship. Brent didn't fit quite the same in the coupe, even w/ no rollbar to duck under and despite being 4 years older. Poor kid had a rough childhood.

The DHC got a new Galvo frame in 1984

Roger

Roger
Thanks for the update on the S3 setups.
My first Elan was 1965 S2 DHC which I bought in 1974. I remember that has lap belts and serious negative camber on the left front where someone had welded up the
rusty chassis.
As a 20 year old it was a big job for me to do a chassis change but I had no money so had to do it rather than pay Lotus.
I then had to sell the car in 1979 when the family came along
Finally got my 72 sprint in 2008 in need of serious love but work and family meant a 10+ year break.
Now retired I have more time to get it on the road
Regards
Chris

[Chris-72sprint]

Take three!

Many thanks for the measurements

Today I managed to save my original rear shelf by installing new hardboard and also make a new rear firewall ready to cover with carpet.
Thanks for everyone’s help
Regards
Chris

[vxah]

Chris!

[Chris-72sprint]

Excellent .....although I think yours is genuine Pistachio whereas mine is slightly different (selected from a paint chip chart)
Chris

[vxah]

I found it difficult to get someone to mix the proper Pistachio formulation, first quote was £2.5k for 5 litres! Got it down to £600 in the end from a pretty local place.
Car left the factory Lotus Yellow although they don’t have a record of that. I have a Yellow +2 so didn’t really want another car that colour. Wanted something bright so chose this even though the car is 6 months too old to have been an option.

Are you going to leave the chrome strip off the bumper? I have a new one but not sure I will fit it.

[Chris-72sprint]

I found it difficult to get someone to mix the proper Pistachio formulation, first quote was £2.5k for 5 litres! Got it down to £600 in the end from a pretty local place.
Car left the factory Lotus Yellow although they don’t have a record of that. I have a Yellow +2 so didn’t really want another car that colour. Wanted something bright so chose this even though the car is 6 months too old to have been an option.

Are you going to leave the chrome strip off the bumper? I have a new one but not sure I will fit it.

Wow - another coincidence - mine was yellow also but pretty rough - see pics
Although not easy to see my front bumper has a black strip - the car is not original with 26r lights front and back with roll bar, custom dash, sliding perspex windows and rear screen
I just can’t wait to drive it again