When were the Airflow vents added to the Elan Coupe?

[Woodyhfd]

I've only recently begun to consider an Elan Coupe as a restoration project. I prefer the early style, before the Airflow vents. When were they added?

[RichardS]

According to "The Original Lotus Elan" by Robinshaw and Ross "revised quarter panel grille apertures on FHC" were introduced in March 1968.

Richard

[elancoupe]

The airflow Coupes begin somewhere around #36 6200. I have seen some pre airflow cars in the late 6100's, and the Elan registry shows #6248 as an airflow car.

As with most things Lotus, it's pretty inexact, so I am sure that there is info to the contrary.

[garyeanderson]

Hi Woody

Mike (elancoupe on this forun) has 36/6138 without vents and I have 36/6292 with the first form of Elan airflow vents. That said there are no way of really telling whether there was a set date/unit number of when it changed. Not much occured at Lotus in that time period when you can be certain of a change over date. I don't believe that the records that Lotus has kept even specified whether it was a type 26 (Roadster) type 36 (Coupe) or type 45 (Drop Head Coupe). I guess a safe bet would be if the Coupe is before 36/6000 it is a pre-airflow, but I wouldn't put and real money on any "definent" statement about Lotus at that time. If you are looking and it matters that much you will have to ask the owner selling the Coupe.

Gary

[garyeanderson]

According to "The Original Lotus Elan" by Robinshaw and Ross "revised quarter panel grille apertures on FHC" were introduced in March 1968.

Richard

That date ( March 1968) is the introduction of the S4 Coupe, it says in the back of the same book under ?production milestones? that at 5811 ?Airflow ventilation introduced on FHC with body quarter panel extractor grills?. So, wrong again I am with my 36/6000 statement. Mike?s Coupe is clearly a much later number and so as I said I wouldn?t bet any money on anything definite at Lotus at that time. Here are some photos for all 3 types of Coupes. pre-airflow, S3 airflow and S4 airflow. The S3 Airflow needs to be a bit better to show anything so I will replace it later.

[Woodyhfd]

Thank you for all this information, and so soon after I posted my question.

I guess I have to adapt my way of thinking. I'm used to looking at American car where I can say, "Okay, I want this feature, so I need to look for a 65-67".

Incidently, I'm from Connecticut.

[Elanintheforest]

When you're checking cars out, Woody, the early pre-airflow also had the window switches in the door rather than on the dash, and had aluminium kick plates on the front of the door trim, rather than carpet.

The early cars should have the woodrim steering wheel, whilst the later ones had a leather covered wheel, but I don't think that the break point was the airflow!

I had 36/5246 for a while, but then (in the 1980s) didn't really appriciate what I had. It had the Marston radiator with the twin spring bonnet (hood) connectors, and I wonder now, were those fitted all the way through to the airflow model? I somehow doubt it...I guess they were just using up the common parts as the S3 was being built alongside the S2 roadster.

Anybody know of a later car with the Marston?

Mark

[trw99]

And, slightly off topic, talking of woodrim steering wheels, have you all seen this?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... :IT&ih=012

It was posted at ?510 for most of today, but I notice Bidder No 3 is now missing, presumed consumed by the fleabay police? Currently at a mere ?310

Tim

[avhation]

36 6850 was built with airflow.

[kmoist]

My S3 FHC built in 1966 is pre-airflow. registered and purchased by original owner in June 1967.

36/5823

[Elanintheforest]

Looking superb, Ken, and living proof that nothing is absolute in the Elan world. Your car does remind me though...the early cars also has S2 trunk hinges...when did they change??

I wonder if your car took so long to register because it was the last of the non-airflows...sat alongside an airflow in the showroom it may have been a little obvious.

By the way, does it have a Marston radiator?

Mark

[elancoupe]

When you're checking cars out, Woody, the early pre-airflow also had the window switches in the door rather than on the dash, and had aluminium kick plates on the front of the door trim, rather than carpet.

.


Mark

My late pre airflow ( 6138) has the window switches in the dash and has (had) the aluminum kick plates. It also came with servo brakes, and 3:55 diff.

[Woodyhfd]

I really appreciate all of the information and photos. I have several Lotus books but I keep coming up with questions that I can't find the answers to. This forum is fantastic!

Do the coupes use the same windshield and door glass as the convertible?

[mac5777]

Made June 1966 and registered in St Louis in 1967. 36/5785 and had aluminum door kick plate and the S2 boot hinges. The original color, later changed to BRG.
Sarto

[elancoupe]

I really appreciate all of the information and photos. I
Do the coupes use the same windshield and door glass as the convertible?

For S3 and S4, yes.