1963 S1 Elan soft top stowage system

[mazlot]

Having trouble trying to decipher the Lotus parts manual, on how the soft top is mounted into the boot space.

Seems to be some sort of strap arrangement, somehow fixed to the tail lights.

And the cant rails seem to be fitted under the front of the boot opening, also on some form of strap.

Can anybody provide photographs of how this all works.

Also, I have an original soft top, but the foam, I assume, on the front edge has gone, what thickness ?

Really appreciate any help provided.

Jeff

[garyeanderson]

Hi Jeff

There are a couple of pictures that I posted a while ago of the tail lamp cover straps that secure the hood bows. The straps are from the later S2 style covers but the trapezoidal covers had similar straps and in one of the photos you can make (just) the imprint of the material on the ;amp cover.
elan-photos-f18/new-color-scheme-for-the-t16214-15.html

S2 straps and covers

Early S2 and S1 trapezoidal covers with strap imprint on the right side of cover


Maybe Bill will read this topic and respond as he may know better how things were supposed to work, I don't.

Gary

[mazlot]

Thanks Gary, just what I needed.

[Bill]

Jeff/Gary

Gary has got it right. there is a differance between the S1 and S2 sheet metal protection frames tho as the S2 are a little longer due to the use of Vanguard tail lights. The usage for top storage is to roll up the top (I use a towell to protect the plexiglass windows) and hold in place the top and roof bows with the straps. The cant rails are secured in the foreward boot area by the rubberized strap held by the foreward fastening hinge bolts.

I hope this helps and am sorry for my delay in responding - I just got off a plane from Bejingh after 3 weeks in China.

I saw one Lotus dealership in Shainghai - it was a drive by in the tour bus - every other money maker there drives a 700 series bemmer, audie or mercedes (if not a Rolls). Enjoyed observing a Porshe rear ender in the middle lane of a toll highway (120 K) Poor shmuck.

I am now home agin (and Feckin glad to be here)!

It was enlightening tho to see how the western nations will be overcome (USA) by the Chineese.

Bill

[garyeanderson]

Hi Bill

Thanks for confirming my guesses. The strap is pictured on the the next page of the previous link. There are a couple other pictures of stuff from 26/4997 and 26/4045 there too.
elan-photos-f18/new-color-scheme-for-the-t16214-30.html

[mazlot]

Does anybody know if the straps are being remanufactured ?

[gordont]

the woven straps in the top picture (with the light covers) look like the sort of thing you would/could get at an army disposal shop.

[nomad]

The strap material looks like something that should be available at any upholstery shop. I have remnants of it in my car but still can't see how it is used to hold the cant rails.

BTW in my previous post on this topic I said "cant rails" when I meant frame rails! Yes, my mind is not always connected to my finger tip's.

Kurt

26/3754

[rodlittle]

Very interesting Bill and Gary, my S1 came complete without any of the parts shown, so its very useful to know how the hood was supposed to be stowed.

The bits of webbing dont look like a problem to replicate but the fittings on the end of the rubber strap might be, Ill have to study Gary's picture better before I attempt to make some , if I bother, its always seemed to me that you decide before you go out in an elan whether its to be a hood up or hood down day, and if its hood down , leave it at home. Erecting the hood after it turns wet is not fun
rod

[Mazzini]

Very interesting Bill and Gary, my S1 came complete without any of the parts shown, so its very useful to know how the hood was supposed to be stowed.

The bits of webbing dont look like a problem to replicate but the fittings on the end of the rubber strap might be, Ill have to study Gary's picture better before I attempt to make some , if I bother, its always seemed to me that you decide before you go out in an elan whether its to be a hood up or hood down day, and if its hood down , leave it at home. Erecting the hood after it turns wet is not fun
rod

Hi Rod,

The webbing is elasticated, looks like something from a camp bed, I'm sure it's readily available from upholsterers. The fittings on the end of the strap are - externally the two chrome 'fittings (from a Frogeye or something like that) and internally the boot prop bracket, which is probably still available. The little brackets on the end of the strap, to a man of your talents, will take ten minutes to knock up...and if you're making a spare set

Never tried putting the hood up in a hurry in a type 26, but in a type 45 it's no trouble at all

Cheerio,

Mazzini

[rodlittle]

Ah Mazzini I didnt recognise the fitting on one end as being the boot prop bracket. now it becomes clearer
ta
rod

[nomad]

So we have a rubber webbing that is supposed to be connected between the 2 hinge's inside the boot to hold the cant rails. Can anyone enlighten me on just how Mr Chapman intended the strap to hold them?? [ pics would be great!]

Kurt.

[Bill]

Kurt

The rubber strap (a piece of upholstery seat webbing) does NOT go between the 2 hinge locations.

Reference Garys photo above - install as follows;
-the starboard end of the webbing is fastened to the boot stay spring holder which is held by the bolts thru the body to the fixed portion of the boot hinge.
-the port side end then is fastened by the bolts that fasten the top hold down clip for the back of the convertable top.

The strap then lies at an angle going foreward from right to left. The cant rails are then stored by sliding the tops of the rails from the left side of the boot under the strap - they just kind of hang there and dont rattle around much.

It took me a while to figure that out when I picked up my car from the ship in Vancouver 49 years ago - the top was up!

Bill

[nomad]

Kurt

The rubber strap (a piece of upholstery seat webbing) does NOT go between the 2 hinge locations.

Reference Garys photo above - install as follows;
-the starboard end of the webbing is fastened to the boot stay spring holder which is held by the bolts thru the body to the fixed portion of the boot hinge.
-the port side end then is fastened by the bolts that fasten the top hold down clip for the back of the convertable top.

The strap then lies at an angle going foreward from right to left. The cant rails are then stored by sliding the tops of the rails from the left side of the boot under the strap - they just kind of hang there and dont rattle around much.

It took me a while to figure that out when I picked up my car from the ship in Vancouver 49 years ago - the top was up!

Bill

Aha! Now it makes a little more sense!

Thanks Bill, I thought the strap was just laying on the prop bracket in Garys photo. If the stap runs somewhat diagonally the cant rails would be stowed much more logically.

Kurt

26/3754

[Lincoln62]

In the absence of any info on the original fittings I made this bracket some years ago to stow my hood.

It bolts to the number plate fixings and the lower bobbin and also supports the lock striker which I always thought was a bit flimsy.

The rubber bungees are commonly used with bungee cords for securing tarps.

I bit of flat strap bent in the vise and welded together, didn't take long to make.

Pete