Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Hi

Has anyone tried to trim the seat belt slots in the Plus 2 B pillars? I've always wondered why there is no finishing trim round the slot (Lotus cheapness, I expect). The vinyl on both of mine is loose and looks untidy, so perhaps it is time to go "non standard"?

Something like this, perhaps: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/272374714385

Anyone tried something like it?

Interesting idea! A good trimmer would laugh it off, but if your upholstery is good otherwise then it might be worth a try.

If they fit let us know!

Robbie

The Veg wrote:Interesting idea! A good trimmer would laugh it off, but if your upholstery is good otherwise then it might be worth a try.

Thing is, I've not yet seen a Plus 2 seat belt slot that looked nicely finished. They were made without a bezel, with the vinyl folded into the slot and glued into place. Now, with age, the vinyl on mine is shrinking / going hard and the glue has failed, so the net effect is very untidy looking.



This sort of thing really annoys me, despite it being fairly trivial in the grand scheme of things. Likewise the grime in the Oatmeal grain, which is resisting all attempts at cleaning. I measured the slot - it's about 9cm long by 1.5cm wide and it is curved; in other words, the Ford trim I linked to won't fit it. I am sure there is a solution of some sort, but I expect it will not present itself until I remove the panels and look behind. In any case, the black B pillar trims need to be reset as they're all loose.

Another potential solution here: https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/-KEAAOSw ... -l1600.jpg

I might be able to make something similar and trim it in vinyl?

I just glued some leatherette on the inside... ?0:50p.




John

One of my jobs which I never got around to is to make an slotted escutcheon to cover the slot in curved ally plate and painted wrinkle black

In fact I think you can already buy them at some of the kit car suppliers

https://www.europaspares.com/chrome-ova ... -tsbe.html

That looks neat, Cleggy. Surely the neatest I have seen yet. But the hole isn't the issue here, it's the surround itself. And I have oatmeal, so not easy to match. I guess I need to re-cover it somehow.

@jono, that escutcheon won't fit as the panel / slot is curved. You'd have to make one out of flat metal, then form it round the curve.

Yeah, that sort of thing!

No welding involved

JohnP wrote:No welding involved

I didn't mention welding.. but I have to say, every time I see a black interior I think "I shouldn't have bought this Oatmeal trimmed car". Dagnammit.

JonB,

Simples - press it around a stout curved lump of metal (eg a cast iron soil pipe) to curve it.

You do seem to want to make things complicated!

..and the slot in it needs to be wide enough to feed the fittings through , or "split" .

John

jono wrote:You do seem to want to make things complicated!

He must be an engineer.

jono wrote:JonB,

Simples - press it around a stout curved lump of metal (eg a cast iron soil pipe) to curve it.

You do seem to want to make things complicated!

Not at all. I already said this.

JonB wrote:@jono, that escutcheon won't fit as the panel / slot is curved. You'd have to make one out of flat metal, then form it round the curve.

Still, I'll take the engineer comment as a compliment!