Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Advice requested on the original finish on the 'S' badge. Just getting round to cleaning up the badges for my 1969 Plus 2 S.

The 'S' badge is brass, chromium plated on the back, edges and a narrow rim around the face. The 'S' is a muddy brown colour which does not look as though it has ever been plated - it looks more like brass which has aged to that colour. Does anyone know what the original finish on this badge was?

The 'ELAN + 2' also in the picture is probably ok with just a clean up, but could be re-plated and then the indented sections repainted.

Thanks.

I would have thought it was cheaper to buy new ones than try and have them replated. All the usual suppliers sell them.

Alan.

I believe the 'S' badge would have been plated all over and the bevel and the 'S' polished. It looks like overenthusiastic polishing has removed your chrome.

alanr wrote:I would have thought it was cheaper to buy new ones than try and have them replated. All the usual suppliers sell them.

Alan.

New ones are not available, the ones you may have seen for sale are aftermarket and are slightly smaller leaving a bigger hole around the switch.

Rocker switches had a satin black finish not gloss. Just rub them down ( being careful not to round edges), mask off and paint satin black. It’ll be years before it wears through!

elanfan1 wrote:

alanr wrote:I would have thought it was cheaper to buy new ones than try and have them replated. All the usual suppliers sell them.

Alan.

New ones are not available, the ones you may have seen for sale are aftermarket and are slightly smaller leaving a bigger hole around the switch.

Rocker switches had a satin black finish not gloss. Just rub them down ( being careful not to round edges), mask off and paint satin black. It’ll be years before it wears through!

I think there is some confusion? The OP was asking about body badges. I think you are referring to dashboard rocker switches.

Alan.

The "S" badge is in 2 parts: the plinth and the badge in the middle.
Normally the plinth is attached to Body with a screw then the badge glued in middle after.
On a +2S the "S" badge is only fitted on one side of the car
Alan

Thanks for the advice. Best advice on the 'S' badge is that it the 'S' was probably chrome plated from new (thanks Matt Elan) Any other views gratefully received!

Andy

Like yours, the one on my car has had the chrome rubbed off. However, I picked this up on ebay a couple of years ago (got the right numbers on the back of the plinth), which shows it was chromed.

On the other side of the car is the 3 year world champion badge:

Badges on the car:

draenog wrote:Like yours, the one on my car has had the chrome rubbed off. However, I picked this up on ebay a couple of years ago (got the right numbers on the back of the plinth), which shows it was chromed.

Excellent - thanks. Out of interest, which side was your 'S', 'constructors' and 'ELAN+2' badges. On my 1969 +2S the 'S' was rear nearside, the 'constructors' rear offside, and the 'ELAN+2' nearside between front wheel and door.

Thanks - Andy

andywatts wrote:

draenog wrote:Like yours, the one on my car has had the chrome rubbed off. However, I picked this up on ebay a couple of years ago (got the right numbers on the back of the plinth), which shows it was chromed.

Excellent - thanks. Out of interest, which side was your 'S', 'constructors' and 'ELAN+2' badges. On my 1969 +2S the 'S' was rear nearside, the 'constructors' rear offside, and the 'ELAN+2' nearside between front wheel and door.

Thanks - Andy

Yes, judging from contemporary sales brochures that's right. On my car the S and constructors badges are reversed which I will correct someday!

I agree for S nearside, Constructor off side.
For me the ELAN+2 both sides.
I have owned 3 different Plus 2 Elans and all like that.
Alan