Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

I lifted a copy of this seat some weeks back without noting who owned it or where it came from!

Does anyone know what make of seat it is (It seems too modern to be an original, but maybe it was...)

Thanks!

Hal

Looks like a Federal pattern Elan seat to me

See this topic viewtopic.php?f=33&t=43457&start=

Yep, Federal seats.

Yes, Federal Seat, but for a Plus2 rather than a 2 seater (nearly called it a baby ) The difference is that the Plus 2 has an additional panel of plain vinyl at the front of the basket weave on the center section of the seat squab.

<Takes Anorak off>

Interesting. Thanks.

I guess no one is making them still, and I guess not in Europe?

I had in mind one day when the main work was finished, to look at trying to blend in a safer seat, but not a modern Recaro wing type.

Waiting for some parts to arrive, I am looking at the smaller jobs I could do. A seat belt not retracting quickly was a suitable one. Until I started! I could not get at the back because my seat refuses to fold and only slides forward an inch or two due to the belt stalk. In all, the seat is too wide for the well ! And to make matters worse, I cannot get to the bolts at the rear of the runners!

Is your car a 2-seater or a Plus2?

Plus2. 1973.

The seat should unbolt from the runners if its S130 seat. Thee should be two 1/4" bolt at front under the seat, holding the base to the frame. Remove these and seat should lift out.

I assumed there would be another two bolts at the rear I shall try lifting it later on this morning!

Thanks!

On mine the runners were a bit dirty and not moving freely. I cleaned and lubricated then and now have enough fore/aft movement to get at the bolts. Try a little WD40.

Edit: ah yes, two bolts at the front act as a hinge so the seat can be lifted. It does not attach at the rear. Safe eh?

That's my car! It's in Australia now, but was originally a kit delivered to the UK. I have no idea how it ended up with Federal seats. I quite like them though, comfortable as well. Headrests don't give a lot of support as I'm quite tall, whiplash would still be bad in a rear end crash.

Chrispy, great! Apologies, but I saw it way back in an archive and lifted a copy because the seat looked a bit beefier than the standards and matched much better than the aftermarkets. I should have made a note and pmd you beforehand

Tell me please - does the seat move on the runners freely? The seats in mine are just that little bit too wide causing the seatbelt stalk to interfere so much so that on one seat, the fabric is quite worn.

I found the two bolts mbell! I had taken out the two at te front of the runners without seeing them. Once informed, removal was a doddle I wish I could say the same for the auto retract mechanism of the belt...

I take your point Jon - not sure safety was the priority out of Norwich then!

Ha ha, yes.. and they produced a DHC called a "Super Safety" for the Federal market. obviously someone at Lotus had an ironic sense of humour.