Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Hi all,
Anyone know where I can find that thread concerning the differences between an S1, S2 grill and an S3,S4 grille? I think it had to do with the size and shape of the little squares that make up the grille. I think the later grilles had a more rectangluar makeup of the 'squares' vs a more 'square' square in the earlier grilles.
Thanks,
Greg Z

This one Greg?
elan-f14/elan-radiator-inlet-grills-t18265.html

Yep. Thanks Brian!

Greg Z
'72 Sprint

My S4 grille is different from all of the examples in Gary's earlier post......it has 3/8" square mesh ! It's been on the car since I got it in 1974 and I assume it's the original but maybe not. Anyone else got one like this ?

Hi Roger

Can't say about Elans but my '74 Europa Special has a grill with 3/8" square mesh and I know that's original

Regards
Andy

Hi Andy,
That's interesting. Is the Europa grille the same size and shape as the Elan ? If so maybe someone in the factory picked from the wrong parts bin when my car was put together.

Regards,

Hi again Roger

I can't say if the Europa and Elan grill are the same, however, the Europa grill has a "046" part number which would suggest it's unique to that car.

I don't suspose it's impossible for a Europa grill to be fitted to an Elan but I would suggest it's more likely to be simply an age related issue. Lotus, or the people supplying grills, would simply buy whatever mesh was readily available at the time and I don't think they would be bothered if it had square or rectangular holes

Regards
Andy

For sheer interest I measured the grille mesh on my car at 3/8" square. It's an original grille on a car built within the last 3 months of Sprint production.

I have a nice new spare grille bought at Donnington some years ago - and this has 1/4" square mesh.

When painted mat black the mesh is not seen - but when painted gloss black it is more noticeable.

The grille on my 1966 S2 has 3/8" square openings, like Roger's.
Best,
Paul G.

S3 SE: 1/4 x 1/2 inch with wire 0.032-0.042 inch diameter (there has been some rust).

Interesting.......
As Brian is sure that the 3/8" square mesh on his Sprint is original and I'm pretty sure that it's original on my S4 it looks like Andy's age related theory may be correct. Perhaps Paul's '66 S2 has had a later replacement fitted ? I guess if you need a replacement it will probably come down to whatever you can get hold of nowadays unless of course you make it yourself. Anyway it's another fine example of Lotus variety and probably a headache for the purist restorers and the concours judges !
Best regards,