Backboard between seats and boot/trunk Elan S4 coup

[RichardHawkins]

Gentlemen,

My old backboard is damaged, so am making a replacement. On each side of the board, there is a semi circular cut out. I don’t understand what this is for, does anybody know?

Richard Hawkins

[Elan45]

Here is my original from my pre-airflow coupe and no semi-circular cutouts.

[h20hamelan]

My S4 DHC had the cut-out. I can't recall much, I just figured it was to help follow the contour of the wheel arch? More likely to add lightness and keep the boys busy?

Post a pic?

[h20hamelan]

edit duplicate post!?

[persiflage]

If its the same as mine they allow access to the seat belt upper fixing.

[RichardHawkins]

Gentlemen,

Thanks for the prompt replies, I had thought about the seat belts, but more or less discarded the idea. Interesting that the S3 does not have these cut outs.

Thanks for the help,

Richard Hawkins

[RichardHawkins]

Persiflage,

I think you are spot on. I vaguely remember my dad fitting seals belts to his 1966 Ford Zephyr. A quick check on legislation shows that in 1968 new cars in the UK were required to have seat belts for front seats. This probably explains why my 1968 S4 has these cut outs and a S3 doesn’t.

Thanks again,

Richard Hawkins

[rgh0]

I believe prior to the S4 Lotus fitted seat belts if required with a sash belt or harness using the bolt through the body bobbin into the rear suspension upright. I guess they normally just fitted lap belts as was the practice back then prior to 68.

For the S4 they came up with the outrigger bracket and bolt that came through the cutout in the top corner of the backboard. The change was probably driven by the compulsory belt legislation at the time like you say.

cheers
Rohan

[RichardHawkins]

Rohan,

Thanks for explaining in more detail what I vaguely remember.

Richard Hawkins