reinforcing rod within body shell?

PostPost by: gmzez » Thu Jul 23, 2015 10:05 am

The other day, whilst giving the elan interior (S3 FHC) a good clean and tidy up, I noticed the following:

A bar/rod that looks very much like the stuff you put into concrete to add reinforcement to!

The bar is welded to the cris-cross structure that is to the left and right corners of the body below the rear parcel shelf. I wouldn't have spotted this, only that the panels that would cover this are missing....

Any advise to what this bar does or is it a bodge from a previous owner?
Rgds Enrico

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PostPost by: vstibbard » Thu Jul 23, 2015 10:07 am

Hi there,

Its original and continues inside both sills to give the shell some strength

Cheers

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PostPost by: billwill » Thu Jul 23, 2015 10:40 am

From the photo gallery:

Image
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PostPost by: englishmaninwales » Thu Jul 23, 2015 11:10 am

IMG_1702.JPG and

I think the reinforcing rod over the LHS wheel arch on my car has some corrosion. Not got any worse over the last 2 years. I suspect this is a big fibre glass cutting job when the body shell gets painted. One day. Until then it's just part of a 50 year old car.
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PostPost by: bill308 » Thu Jul 23, 2015 1:56 pm

The door opening lattice extends from the front bulkhead to above the rear wheel arch. It is made of mild steel, so is subject to corrosion.

My s2 was partially flooded years ago, destroying the lower apexes of the of the triangulation. The rod that extended over the rear wheel arches was also affected as shown in englishmaninwales photo. I replaced the wheel arch members with stainless rods.

I tried to get the manufacturer to make the truss out of stainless steel for my new 26r body shell. The manufacturer declined, explaining it would require special welding, which they were not set up to do.

Ultimately, the manufacturer agreed to fabricate the lattice out of aluminum, as they do on the light weight racing shells.

In my mind, the lattice should not be made out of mild steel because of the corrosion issue. Mild steel is a poor material to be embedded in fiberglass.

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PostPost by: Terry Posma » Thu Jul 23, 2015 2:46 pm

To be sure of no corrosion a carbon/kevlar/sglass monolithic bulkhead would be the go. Much easier to produce and fit for a fibreglass worker.

Can have access holes to get the wiring through and allow taping of the bulkhead from the rear.
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PostPost by: gmzez » Thu Jul 23, 2015 6:10 pm

billwill wrote:From the photo gallery:

Image


Thanks for the pic Bill .... The bar I have is just to the top left of your photo which sadly you cant quite see.. Its a square bar Approx 5" x 1/2" and is twisted like a piece of wrought iron.. Its welded to the top piece of thin wire brace that is visible in your photo.
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PostPost by: gmzez » Thu Jul 23, 2015 6:16 pm

[quote="gmzez"][quote="billwill"]

Bill, just to add its welded to the rod with the '+' symbol in top L/H corner of your photo

Would you have a photo taken 6" higher and 6" to the left?
Rgds Enrico

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PostPost by: billwill » Thu Jul 23, 2015 7:28 pm

It is not my photo, I searched the photo gallery on this website to find a picture showing the re-inforcing rods.


So no I don't have any more such pictures and my panels are in place so I can't take a new photo.
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PostPost by: elj221c » Fri Jul 24, 2015 10:00 am

Some good info here:-

lotus-chassis-f36/elan-door-surround-latice-yours-rotten-too-t15161.html

The handbook shows this but from an earlier post it is suggested that at the B post the latice extends over the rear wheel arch.
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PostPost by: Craven » Fri Jul 24, 2015 12:52 pm

Hi,
I think the lattice extends beyond the fibreglass, extends over the rear wheel arch when feeling underneath.
Ron.

P1020888.JPG and
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PostPost by: gmzez » Fri Jul 24, 2015 8:37 pm

The above photo features one of Lotus's designs....BUT guess what on this very forum I've discovered these:

DSC00125.JPG and
Look at the twisted Bar welded to the top of the Zig Zag


SNV32703.JPG and
Rgds Enrico

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PostPost by: billwill » Wed Aug 05, 2015 12:47 pm

This renovation video clearly shows the twisted metal reinforcing bar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PnD7j1a8EQ
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PostPost by: gmzez » Thu Aug 06, 2015 12:00 am

billwill wrote:This renovation video clearly shows the twisted metal reinforcing bar.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PnD7j1a8EQ



Thanks Bill. Really good info.....
Rgds Enrico

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