Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Hi all,

I believe my Elan + 2 from 1974 have the original steering wheel, with three spokes / circular holes, a plastic (to weak) black leather rim, and a black plastic horn push in the steering wheel center with a black/gold Lotus logo on it.

Now I have just been supplied a steering wheel of a well known brand with a solid boss, which does not comply with a horn mechanism in the centre of the steering wheel, and the supplier suggests that there where no horn control in the cars deleivered 1973 and 1974. Can this really be true? Where would the horn control be placed if not in the centre of the steering wheel? (My car is an original LHD-model, but I can't see that this has any importance) Do the supplier really know what they are talking about?

It would very much appriciate your help on this...

/Ulf

Hi Ulf

I suggest the supplier indeed dosn't know what he's talking about.

The steering wheel, as you describe it, does sound like an original ( It's actually a Springalex) and yes, all Elans and Europas had the horn push in the centre of the wheel.

Regards
Andy

Dump your supplier...keep the original wheel!

Mark

Elanintheforest wrote:Dump your supplier...keep the original wheel!

Mark

Good advice indeed.

The last few original steering wheels on eBay went for neary ?300 a piece

I picked up my Motolita for ?21 on eBay....to replace my much too tiny Mountney that came with the car.

Apparently, a previous owner had been talked into swapping the real original for the 12" Mountney when he bought the car

Alternatively...if you want to swap your wheel for my Motolita...

Peter

andyelan wrote:all Elans and Europas had the horn push in the centre of the wheel.

My '74 Europa came with a horn push in the center of the wheel however it was never functional because the car came from the factory with the horn push integrated into the turn signal stalk. Further, the style of the wheel and horn push is completely different from what came with my Elan.

I have no idea which years or models this applies to, but it seems some +2s had the horn-push on the stalk.

Thanks for your fast replies, I need your support on this,


Mark,

I would like to keep the original wheel, but I think it is much too weak for serious driving...


/Ulf

Hi Frank

Your quite correct, Noth American Europa Specials do indeed have the horn push combined with turn signals on the LH stalk. Should have done my homework. Steering wheel looks to be the same as on UK cars though.

I can't find any evedence that this stalk arrangement was used on Federal Plus 2s but I guess it wouldn't be impossible for this to be the case.

Regards
Andy

My July 1972 build +2S130 Federal LHD is just as you describe--plastic center piece, Lotus, but in silver in the black plastic, three spoke brushed aluminum it looks like with leather wrapping. My 67 S3 DHC, wood steering wheel, one piece of beech wrapped and then formed, also has center push. Gordon Sauer

The early Plus 2 did use the Cortina indicator stalk with horn push on the end....but it wasn't wired up. The horn push was in the centre of the steering wheel, using the same mechanism as the 2 seat Elans.

Mark