Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Can someone tell me how the vinyl trim at the top of the windscreen frame attaches on the top side? Is it just glued or is there a rubber trim piece that sits on the inner lip and clamps the Vinyl?

Also does anyone have a picture of the tension rod and all it’s components? It has never had one fitted and need to see what parts to order.

Thanks,

Steven

The tensioner rod is actually just a bicycle wheel spoke which hooks in at one end and is tensioned by a nut or spoke nipple at the other. The parts manual doesn't seem to list it - or at least mine doesn't which doesn't help much!

Hi Steven,
Sorry, no picture but I got the top shaped aluminium block and rod from Sue Miller. Those and a nut and washer are all there is to it.
Best of luck
Eric in Burnley
1967 S3SE DHC

Thanks for the reply’s. I’ve had a look at the usual suspects and I am just unsure of the tensioner block. Is this something that could still be on the car and I’m just not seeing it? I presume this is fitted at the top?

The car has had one at some point just not since my father bought it 45 years ago.

Thanks,

Steven

Picture of tensioner rod. Note it is not straight.

The trim is both glued and clamped.
When you put the door seal in you run it over the back of windscreen surround.

There is 2 different tension rods. Not sure when they changed but the later one is thicker, and probably not a spoke.

I have a new old stock tensioner, block and rod for an S4 / Sprint, not a repro. Sent me a message if interested.

Leslie

Leslie, thanks for the offer although mine is by no way a show/original car definitely not for the purists.

I would doubt you are wanting to part with it for less than the cost of a repo one are you?

Thanks,

Steven

MarkDa wrote:The trim is both glued and clamped.
When you put the door seal in you run it over the back of windscreen surround.

Mark, I presume you mean at the sides? But what about at the top?

How much is a repro Steven, inc VAT?

Leslie

Hi Steven,
Now that we know there are two sizes of rod, mine from Sue Miller is 5mm diameter, chrome plated I think and was for a Series 3.
Cheers
Eric in Burnley

Yes Steven - the seal goes all the way round and over the top.
It will then nip up the vinyl tail down in your second photo. That way you get a neat finish, some cushioning to the edge and something for the hood to sit on.
Personally I'd have left a bit more material free so you could glue it to the top edge and get some tension in it.
At the risk of being told 'of course!' you do have some padding on the underside?
Nowadays 15mm pipe insulation slit in have seems to be standard.

This old thread may help ... has some pics of how the tension rod goes together.

viewtopic.php?f=36&t=15112

Well found - I looked in gallery last night but wasn't very successful.