Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

I?ve got a set of new plastic numbers and letters to attach to the grill for the front number plate. What is the best method of attaching them to the mesh grill? I?m trying to get the car back nearer original, when I got the car it had a plastic number plate screwed to the nose just below the Lotus badge and I don?t want to refit that if at all possible. I?ve painted the inside of the nose black so that the numbers on the grill will show up.

Spire washers or star washers I believe they're called.

Yes, circular star grip onto pegs.
Available at usual places but can't find a listing at the moment.

When I got my car it had stick on plates front and rear which looked good but after expensive respray I was less inclined to do it again and went black and white.
Makes front end much cleaner.

I think they are called Starlock washers.
http://www.bakfin.com/index.html

What's the best way of removing these once in place? I need to take my letters off so I can spray the grille with Hammerite before it disintegrates.

Jon
If your letters are old the plastic may be brittle so care needed.
They are designed to be non removable, pulling makes them tighter!
You may find that yo can get them to 'screw off' With luck they'll be a bit rusty and the teeth will be weakened.
Failing to they may be generally old enough to be split with wire cutters without breaking the pegs off.
Mark

Yes they are called Starlock Push on locking washers.
My plastic posts were 5mm dia, so purchased a pack of 25off for ?2.97, free delivery from here-

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2mm-3mm-4mm- ... 2749.l2649



I did have to remove a digit to reposition it, so I used the picking tool with care. When I had slightly lifted 2 tags, it was then possible to lift it over the top of the plastic post.

Thanks all, star lock washers it is. Will get ordering tomorrow, been rather busy today replacing the waste disposal unit on the kitchen sink! Nothing was straightforward, new unit bigger than the old one so that meant modifying the shelf with a jigsaw, a visit to B&Q for some new waste pipe and fittings, then repairing the cupboard door hinges that the kitchen fitter had broken and bodged! Then noticed that the cctv hadn?t rebooted properly after I had the power off for connecting the waste disposal unit. Much cursing and eventually it?s all sorted, back to the Lotus tomorrow

Dear Baldy,

Contrary to the posts about star lock washers, although they are original they are really difficult to remove, and rust. I cut a 5mm thread onto the pegs and held the letters and numbers to the grill with m5 stainless thin nuts and washers, which I hope will not corrode, and be removable if necessary.

Richard Hawkins

The link above goes to a company that can also supply stainless steel star washers, these are what I was planning to go for

Bigbaldybloke wrote:I?ve got a set of new plastic numbers and letters to attach to the grill for the front number plate. What is the best method of attaching them to the mesh grill? I?m trying to get the car back nearer original, when I got the car it had a plastic number plate screwed to the nose just below the Lotus badge and I don?t want to refit that if at all possible. I?ve painted the inside of the nose black so that the numbers on the grill will show up.

Hi-
Some years ago, I bought silver plastic numbers from a company in England and mounted them successfully on the grill of my S1. I have since registered the car in another state, and want to replace the numbers to match my new rear plate. I have been unsuccessful locating either the record of my earlier purchase, or anyone who still sells the individual numbers. Where did you get yours?

Thanks for any information from anyone regarding a source.

Greg

Baldy,

Stainless star locks would be ideal. I didn't even think of looking for them.

Richard Hawkins

Greg,

I am away from home for the new year celebrations, but can let you know a supplier of white plastic letters and numbers when I get home. Are the style of letters and numbers used in the UK acceptable in the USA?

Richard Hawkins

Thanks, Richard. Yes, they are perfectly acceptable in a state that requires only one regular plate (on the rear). Front is entirely optional. The numbers currently on my grill are the unit number of the car (26-3657).

Happy New Year!

Greg