Underdash trim, Plus 2

[JonB]

And yet, the handbrake still fouls it. It's one of those twist and pull jobbiex. Awful.

[vincereynard]

And yet, the handbrake still fouls it. It's one of those twist and pull jobbiex. Awful.

Jon

I'll try and get a good shot of my under dash Tuesday AM and see how much clearance I have.
The handbrake is a poor device. Although I have to admit it does work OK at the moment,
I was investigating the possibility of a "fly off" from a Mini or Sprout.

Also the steering column alignment? I don't remember there being many spacing washers on mine. (If any!)

Our cars are very close in build time.

[velo5338]

Are these underdash trims available anywhere? My +2 came without the underdash soft trims, just the vinyl covered edge trims screwed to the dash.

Failing that, anyone have a set from which they could make me some paper patterns?

Mike

[JonB]

Yes, but they're expensive and uncovered. I'll look them up for you.

[Edit: http://www.kelsport.net/parts/products. ... ctionID=62 - not too dear after all!]

Vince, the washers on my car don't look 43 years old. The car has a Spyder chassis, so the body's been off at least once. What's the betting that it wasn't such a good fit when reassembled?

[JonB]

Here are some piccies to illustrate what I mean.

In situ with wooden blocks wedged in

Handbrake still fouls it.

Finished - not too bad.

So that'll do for now. I may replace the valence when I do the dashboard.

[JimE]

Here's mine for further reference. A 1974 car and as it left the factory. I haven't had any problems with the handbrake fouling the trim. If you look at the number of washers fitted to the attachment it lowers the handbrake. Also the trim is screwed in at the centre which probably helps the clearance. Jim

[JonB]

Ah I noticed the washers immediately! My first thought was they were for the steering column. Swiftly followed by "no, the handbrake!". I have the screw hole too, but I think my trim is a little too far forward as I cannot get it into the hole. No matter. I must say, if that's how Lotus sent them out, I feel much better. I could have done a superior job of it, given time.

One of the improvements I did consider is to mount a length of aluminium strip along the edge of the heater valence to prevent it sticking out (it's really, really floppy and doesn't follow the edge of the heater outlet at all). Also the under dash trim we've been discussing could be shaped with a strip affixed to its back.

Maybe I should put some washers on the handbrake if they were original fit. It certainly makes sense, as there is no other way to get clearance for the knob. But... lower it, and you increase the risk of your knee hitting it in a crash. Frankly, I'd rather have the handbrake shown here, much easier to use : http://www.lotuselan.net/wiki/JF_-_Brak ... brake_%2B2

I can't see a picture of our handbrake mechanism in the parts book.

Oh, mine would probably work better if I oiled it! Like everything else on the car, it's not been maintained properly.

[jimj]

In 1968 I went to look at, and subsequently buy, a `64 Elan from a trader on Lancaster Mews. I`d had a `66 MGB for 6 months (and been underwhelmed) and left it near a tube station in Edgeware or somewhere. He gave us a lift back to the car in a never-seen-before and brand new +2.
How opulent and luxurious it seemed. These days, sadly, +2 trim in general seems not to have stood up to the passage of time, unlike the simpler Elan trim which is easy to keep looking smart.
Jim

[Elseezed]

Because the original was not salvageable I thought about using ally sheet covering it in foam and vinyl. Instead I opted for carpet, this is cheap carpet found in the boot area of modern cars, I bought mine from the trimmers, 75p for a 2m roll.
Held in place by wedging and Velcro. Yet to see if it stands up to the stresses when driving.

Trim underdash

Trim underdash

.

[JimE]

In 1968 I went to look at, and subsequently buy, a `64 Elan from a trader on Lancaster Mews. I`d had a `66 MGB for 6 months (and been underwhelmed) and left it near a tube station in Edgeware or somewhere. He gave us a lift back to the car in a never-seen-before and brand new +2.
How opulent and luxurious it seemed. These days, sadly, +2 trim in general seems not to have stood up to the passage of time, unlike the simpler Elan trim which is easy to keep looking smart.
Jim

Agree that +2 interiors don't wear well. The seats are like armchairs compared to the 2 seater Elan and they eventually collapse! Somehow I have managed to keep my interior looking good.

[JonB]

I think putting carpet under there is a good idea just for the soundproofing benefit. Nice!