Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

In changing a rear bulb on my Sprint I noticed the lens gasket has ELAN inscribed on it. Must have been a special batch made for Lotus at the time as my +2 and Europa lights do not include the same. Just a fact for the library.

Unless it was inscribed in the Lotus factory as they were common to elans, europas, plus 2s (though I know you know that ) which were all built on the same mixed production lines.

Jim,
The cutout in the seal is a condensate drain and is placed at the bottom, as per your photo'. The 2 seat Elan's tail light units are upside down when compared to the +2 and Europa (and the E-Type Jaguars). If the seals from the +2 and Europa are used on the 2 seater, the drains would be at the top. Not ideal. Hence the special seal for the 2 seater.
Cheers,
Colin.

JimE wrote:In changing a rear bulb on my Sprint I noticed the lens gasket has ELAN inscribed on it. Must have been a special batch made for Lotus at the time as my +2 and Europa lights do not include the same. Just a fact for the library.

you learn something new every day! Great info, thanks!

That explains it then. Nice one Colin.

fatboyoz wrote:Jim,
The cutout in the seal is a condensate drain and is placed at the bottom, as per your photo'. The 2 seat Elan's tail light units are upside down when compared to the +2 and Europa (and the E-Type Jaguars). If the seals from the +2 and Europa are used on the 2 seater, the drains would be at the top. Not ideal. Hence the special seal for the 2 seater.
Cheers,
Colin.

Witchcraft !!!! I have had my 2 seater parked next to my +2 for nearly a year and not noticed that