Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Can anyone tell me whether the tail light should be mounted with the "side" light inboard of the Brake light, or on the indicator side (i.e. between the stop and inidcator light)?? Or a photo in the boot would be great!
Just fretting....
James

On mine the "tail" filaments are on the outboard side. I can't say for sure that that's the original configuration.

BTW does anyone know where to get replacement gaskets for those fittings? Or am I going to have to use draught excluder?

Paddy

The (US only) reflectors are inboard, the turn indicator flashers are in the middle, and the dual filament running/stop lamps are outboard.

James

My car, 26/0538, a 1600, was built on factory order for myself in Dec/63 thru Feb 64 and shipped direct to me in Canada. It seems to be an early US spec mixture on the tailights - they had no North American dealerships at that time.

The taillite arrangement is amber signal (same as front indicators) outboard and red tail/stop lite inboard. My car has no reflector lens mounted between the lites as were subseguent NA imports.

The NA style tail light cat no's were - Amber signal - L691, Red stop / run - L692, red reflector - REF31 (which were not installed on mine). I was able to get the Lucas replacements for these (same as Landrover methinks) from Christopher Neil back in 1996.

The UK style cat no's were - Amber signal - L538/539, Red stop/run - L 551. The Brit cars had no reflector.

The above info is from page L31 of the origional Lotus 1600 workshop manual and the accompaning parts book received with my car at time of purchase - hey - after all - no dealers in North America at that time , I was my own mechanic.

Hope this helps and keep your stick on the ice.

Bill

Hi James

The photo is of body 3509 (a U.S. spec S2) the tail lamps were
all Red accross the back including the red rer31 reflector.
U.S. DoT prohibited any other color than Red on the rear of any vehicle until 1969 maybe a bit later.

All dimensions in Inches.


26/4020 with L539 and L551 red lamps, this is a U.S. spec S2 Elan, the back panel is drilled for 4 L692 red lamps and 2 RER31 reflectors.

BTW Paddy, Holden do the whole unit so may have the gasket.
J

Let us know iof you find a source of gaskets. Paddy...my Elite needs a set as well.

Mark

jkatthehelm wrote:BTW Paddy, Holden do the whole unit so may have the gasket.

Thanks, just sent in an enquiry.

Paddy