Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

You could take the window glass to a glazier to have another hole drilled to match the double peg lift (Using a diamond impregnated drill) and then you end up with matching pair.... Just a suggestion.

Ceejay, I had thought about that but the holes on the passenger side are down the glass further than the single hole on the drivers side. Plus the centering will also be different.

The only way to match is to replace with an OEM window for either one hole or two. I?m willing to replace either window glass if someone has one.

Hi Christian,
I am also interested in this and I also want to know the size of the hole in the glass.
I have been asked if I can make some of the screws which fix the chrome plated steel bracket to the glass.
This is as much as I know so far :- The hole in the bracket is 5mm diameter and the glass is 4mm thick.
I have seen a sample of the screw which Sue Miller used to sell. The screw shank which passed through the glass was 6.3mm (1/4") so I am assuming that the hole is 1/4" clearance.
I would like to know the actual size of the hole and if you have an original screw I would appreciate it if you can give me any dimensions or a description or photo.
I have designed and made some screws which may be satisfactory but I have never even seen a Series 1 so I am working in the dark. As far as early Elans go, Lancashire seems to be a bit of a desert.
Can anyone help both of us with more information. Thanks
Eric in Burnley
1967 S3SE DHC

How does a 6.3 mm screw shank pass through the 5 mm hole in the plate?

I haven't been able to split my lifters (S1 type) but my screw looks like it is 3/16 inch (4.7 mm) diameter with a 3/8 inch long thread which would pass the hole. A 1/4 inch hole in the glass would allow some fitting tolerance.

Hi Meg,
Sorry if that was confusing.
The 6.3mm end of the screw only goes through the glass and stops before the plate. It has an internal thread not external and another screw (probably 3/16") passed through the plate in to the end of it. This is a type that Sue miller was selling up to recently, not a Lotus one. Her source of these has dried up. I do not know what the original fixing was.
It works in a similar way to the twin screw used on the aluminium strip at the rear of the cockpit.
The experimental ones I have made are a true twin screw with two similar heads and no obvious nut.
If I knew the diameter of the hole in the glass I would know what tolerance I could work to. I can only work to
6.3mm plus nothing at the present time.
Hoping that makes a bit more sense.
Eric in Burnley
1967 S3SE DHC

Comprendo!

on my S2 I also have 2 holes on the driver's side and one on the passenger's side. LHD car. I always thought that a window had been replaced. I don't know if the 2-hole version is original or homemade.

Good evening Cristophe
First, a disclaimer. I have never seen either of these cars.
I understand that the Series 1 and early Series 2 Elans had a single hole and a chrome steel bracket as seen in your last photo. Later S2`s had two holes in the glass and an oval streamlined polished aluminium block inside and a flat oval plate with two pins, on the outside. The pins went through the holes in the glass and were glued into holes in the block. So one of yours has been changed, maybe because it was the only type available.
I am particularly interested in the diameter of the single hole in the glass in the early type. I have also been told that the Series 1 glass is 4mm thick. Can someone please measure it to confirm this. I have myself measured the screw hole in the finger lift bracket at 5mm. I would be grateful for this to be confirmed elsewhere as a single measurement can be a fluke or possibly not an original item. Given some accurate dimensions I may be able to make some fixings which at the moment are not available. I have made some experimental parts already and sent them to someone who knows more than me for assessment.
Hope you can help
Eric in Burnley
1967 S3SE DHC

Both of my window glasses are original and 5mm thick. I wouldn't expect them to have changed it though the 26R might have had 4mm glass.

Hi Meg
That is just what I wanted to know. One mm. extra does not sound much but it gives me a lot more room for the internal thread. So why was I told 4mm unless as you say there are some variations. For the 26R it would give a weight advantage I suppose. Thankyou.
That also fits in with my S3 window glass being 5mm thick. I think the later Series 4 is 4mm. but that does not concern me on this job.
Can anybody else add anything to this please?
Eric in Burnley
1967 S3SE DHC

I have an early S2 (within the first 50 built) often referred to as a S1.5 which has a few S1 parts.
Out of interest I measured the door glass which is 5mm (my Sprint is 4mm)

Oh Brian, thankyou, that is brilliant.
I now have a 2 to 1 vote and both those were actual measurements. I will probably modify my design now to 5mm. However I will not be doing any work on it until January as I can feel some sunshine calling. I will still be monitoring this forum.
Cheers
Eric in Burnley
1967 S3SE DHC