Ashtrays with lights?

[Robbie693]

Anyone seen these before?:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lotus-Elan-2-Ashtray-red-light-/270876810398?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3f11841c9e

I've not seen them on a Plus 2 before, but I must admit I quite like the idea. Were they ever fitted originally?

Robbie

[jono]

My + 2 has these

Jon

[alan.barker]

For me they were only fitted to Plus 2S models. Not Plus 2 and not Plus 2S130. Plus 2S models 69,70,71 ?
Alan B

[jono]

That explains it - I have a 1970 +2S

Your learn something new about these cars every day

Jon

[Robbie693]

That explains it - I have a 1970 +2S

Your learn something new about these cars every day

Jon

Indeed - I didn't know either.

How are they wired/activated? Permanently on or with the sidelights/interior lights?

Robbie

[alan.barker]

on the bottom of the doors of 69,70 and 71 plus 2S you also had white puddle lights
Alan B

[CBUEB1771]

Interesting indeed, my 1971-build +2S does not have them. The Service Parts List shows four part numbers for the ash tray / door:
046 B 6036 fitted to +2
050 B 1563 fitted to +2 Fed, +2S, +2S Fed and S130
050 B 1771 fitted to +2S, +2S Fed and S 130
050 B 6041 fitted to +2
No further descriptions of these are given. The +2S Fed wiring loom drawing shows two wires in the doors but not attached to any devices, one with purple insulation and one with red/white stripe insulation. Purple insulated wire is used on the interior lamps so this would likely go to the "puddle" lamp in the bottom of the door. Red/white stripe insulated wire is used on gauge illumination so I would guess this would go to the illuminated ash trays when fitted.

[oillite]

Looks like it's just a panel warning light fitted in the back!

[Sea Ranch]

These ash tray lights come on with the panel switch & lights.

Have them on my Feb 70 Plus 2S.

That makes three lights per door, two ceiling lights (switchable), map light, glove box light, two under-bonnet, one in boot (What? Only one??) . . . . . Love these cars!!!

Randy

[Spyder fan]

The salesman at BMW Mini was trying to impress me with the door puddle lights and other cabin lights on the latest Mini Cooper, he wasn't vey happy when I told him my +2s has all of that and more besides and was standard in 1969. It lights up like a Christmas tree!

Early original Mini's had lot's of interior ambient lights; there's nothing new under the sun it seems.

[Robbie693]

Thanks Russ for the wiring explanation.

I wonder why a lot of them were deleted when the S130 came out? I'd like to have puddle lights but they weren't fitted on mine, neither were the ashtray lights. The under bonnet light/lights are missing and I've removed the bulb from the boot/trunk light for fear of igniting the petrol fumes in the boot!

Robbie

[Sea Ranch]

This is great! Now the 130 boys are jealous of us lowly S owners!! Usually people are happy to have various Lucas lighting "features" dropped from their model; an improvement after the "improvement".

Alan, very nice to see your Elan out of the garage and on the driveway!!! Is it now finished/driveable? Happy for you!

Randy