Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Does anyone know what brand battery was fitted to the Elan, from the factory, from the time they were boot / trunk mounted to the end of production (1973 or so)?

There is a picture (that I can't now find) of all of the contents of the Elan 'kit' spread out in front of the car. I believe it was an in-period advertisement illustrating the relatively few components required to complete the car. From memory, the battery was part of the display of parts and was an Exide battery.

I could of course be wrong.

Not sure about earlier fitment but in the UK I think from memory they were Exide "Supreme" around the time of the Sprint........I have an idea that the "Supreme" model came out later on in the 60's and that the earlier cars had an "Exide" battery but I don't know for sure which model........I would really like to know myself if any one has the definitive answer? I wonder if it lists the model in an early parts list? I will try to find out .......

Thanks guys. I'm not looking for an oem battery from the period; instead, I plan on getting some decals
reproduced, or already reproduced, to put on the side of a battery for the period look.

Have you tracked down a battery with the period look (non sealed) to put the sticker on?

The picture Andy mentioned is here

viewtopic.php?f=19&t=25635&start=

MarkDa wrote:Have you tracked down a battery with the period look (non sealed) to put the sticker on?

No, I haven't. Might be quite expensive. For now, and for a battery that has only one side that's seen (trunk
mount), I'll peel off the modern sticker and replace with a vintage sticker. The battery is too new to replace
right now. But...... I like your idea for my next step.

Thanks for the picture! That's what I'll be looking for, or 'reproducing' from a modern battery.

That picture was from 66 as others have said it may well be Exide Supreme on later cars.

I suspect this is the photo to which you referred, a 1967 FHC kit, laid out at the factory and very clearly showing the Exide battery.

Tim

Thanks Tim. As an aside, I didn't realize the anti sizzle gear stick was incorporated this early.

Greg, I believe the anti-sizzle gear stick was introduced during the Series 3 production run, perhaps early 1967. Having said that, Robinshaw & Ross attribute the kit photo to mid 1966, but have a question mark against the introduction date.

Tim

My September 66 car came with an anti sizzle shifter, and is pre airflow.

trw99 wrote:I suspect this is the photo to which you referred, a 1967 FHC kit, laid out at the factory and very clearly showing the Exide battery.

Tim

Hmmm, that kit car will be rather noisy with only half of the exhaust manifold and no Y piece.

billwill wrote:

trw99 wrote:I suspect this is the photo to which you referred, a 1967 FHC kit, laid out at the factory and very clearly showing the Exide battery.

Tim

Hmmm, that kit car will be rather noisy with only half of the exhaust manifold and no Y piece.

Looks like it has the y piece attached to the 2 down pipes which will have connected to the 4 to 2 cast manifold of the time which I am not mistaken will be on the far side of the engine and not visible

cheers
Rohan

I hadn't realised that there was so little to do on these kits.