Gear Knobs!

[terryp]

This has just come up on ebay. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LOTUS-ELAN-EUROPA ... 33587b3493
Its a round original looking ball with a metal black Lotus badge in the middle.
My car has a ball . well worn but with a metal coloured Lotus badge in the middle.
I sort of thought that the original ones have the gear shift pattern on.
My car is a 1973 130/4 +2 made in approx April 1973, does anyone know what would have been original or was it a bit random like many of the other parts!

Terry
(Hopefully this post won't be as contentious as the last, but its very cold here and I don't want to go outside)

[alan.barker]

Hi Terry
all the gearknobs were with the gear pattern, either 4 speed or the later ones 5 speed pattern

Alan Chartres 28

[terryp]

Thanks Alan, I suppose it would help at the CT!

Terry

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

My 1970 S4 had the Badge missing so I opened up the empty recess to take a small Lotus Lapel Pin.
I found the original when I ripped the carpets out at the beginning of the resto' a 4 speed change pattern.
Sod's Law rules once again!

Cheers
John

[terryp]

John
Does that mean your little 4 speed badge is spare..........

Terry
(Still cold)

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

John
Does that mean your little 4 speed badge is spare..........

Terry
(Still cold)

Sorry but no.
Although I've altered my car very extensively I'm hanging on to most of the remaining original bits for the future, when somebody may want to return it to "original"
I expect I'll turn in my Grave if it does happen

Cheers
John

[Jason1]

Hi

I bought a 5 speed knob a while ago, decided I did not want it so sold it on Ebay, sadley I only got ?31 for it and it was in really good nick.

Jason

[terryp]

?31 !!!!!!! OHHHHH Looks like I'll be keeping my one with the badge then!

[Jason1]

I know, I thought it would make nearer to ?100. I would have kept it if I'd known.

I should have set a reserve, you live and learn.

Jason

[terryp]

Jason
No I thought ?31 was HIGH!!!!

I think I'd be unlucky on eBay then.............

Terry

[bcmc33]

The last three 5 speed knobs on eBay went for ?128, ?83 & ?31.

[SimonH]

Terry,

Sj Sportscars list a 4 speed gear knob for the Eclat for ?16.

In a convoluted way it may be the way to get the 4 speed one. I am reasonably sure the 70's Eclats with the 4 speed had the same style wooden knob the Elan did.
I seem to remember, when I worked on the production line, that the Excel still used the wooden gearknob identical to look at as the one Jason had for the 5 speed. This was up to the late eighties for the base car, so its a fair chance the Eclat one would do, if the SJ one has the correct badging. That bit I dont know but it is a proper Lotus part number so it may.

Simon

[bcmc33]

All the Elites and Eclats I've seen had the Lotus 5 speed box up until the Getrag box was introduced. I don't know anything about the knobs for the Getrag box, but the Lotus box had knobs exactly the same as +2 5 speed - as per Jason's picture.

[Gordon Sauer]

My S3 DHC has the round walnut knob with black badge insert. My 73 titled July, 72 built Federal +2S/130 has round walnut knob with yellow ACBC badge inset--PO seemed to focus only on wiring, engine operation, hard to believe he would dump 4 speed marker shift knob--do you think dealers switched them out--this one had air put on at East coast dealership? Gordon Sauer

[terryp]

Gordon
I'm thinking the same as you. My Gearknob with the badge looks original, I suppose it could have been changed in the 80's as it would still have 20 years wear?

Terry