Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Hello - I bought a 130 S project car a couple of weeks ago. It is almost complete apart from a few odds and ends.

Have not heard it running but the engine feels free and appears to have compression. It has spyder chassis with the double wishbone rear suspension.

Bit concerned about the Britax type folding sunroof as it is in poor order and they seem difficult to source if indeed its possible.

Will post on the work as it progresses and no doubt will have some questions.

I would find an old roof panel and fill in the sunroof - I did with mine. The car looks much better without them IMO, they spoil the roof line.

Jon

sam tex wrote: Bit concerned about the Britax type folding sunroof as it is in poor order and they seem difficult to source if indeed its possible.

Are you sure it's a Britax and not a Webasto?

Whatever...I got my Britax roof recovered by a car trimmer if that's what yours needs. Also, the views in this thread may be of interest:

elan-plus-f13/sun-roof-t2113.html

Apart from which they're really useful when paying the guy at the toll booth...when your electric windows won't open!

Cheers - Richard

I agree with Jono. It's the lines that are so striking on a Plus 2.

Mike

IMO I like the Webasto and do not think it takes anything from the lines.

I also like the thought of a bit of fresh air on a hot summers day.

I am a bit between both views as I like the idea of some fresh air but do agree they are not the best looking option.

My understanding is that the Webasto was the premier sun roof of the day and had some sort of timber framework ? The one I have uses aluminium channel sections.

sam tex

sam tex wrote: The one I have uses aluminium channel sections. sam tex

It could equally be a Britax Weathershield...a better bet than a timber frame IMO.

A link for other info:

http://www.thetrimmingcentre.co.uk/page ... t_sunroofs

Cheers - Richard

Welcome Sam. Where are you located?

The Weathershield was a dealer installed option here in Canada. Understand the Webasto was more common in the UK. I managed to get a NOS Weathershield unit from an older retired gent (he was the Canadian Weathershield distributor back in the day). Had it installed during my re-build. Took a lot of fiddling to get it to work smoothly, but very happy with it now. Headliner around the roof looks like crap though due to installation problems.

Understand parts for them are thin on the ground; he had most of the stuff in his basement but had to assemble additional parts from contacts he had sold off his stock to. Said he would be unable to assemble a new unit now.

I have copies of the installation instructions. Let me know if you want these scanned & emailed.

Here is a place which can help out with repairs/refurb. imho the sunroof does not detract from the look and you might, depending on the colour of your car, be able to get one the same colour- e.g. white.
I had Britax roofs in Minis back in the day and they were great.

http://www.littleportboathaven.co.uk/britax%20sunroof.htm

I am located near Edinburgh in Scotland

Hi,

If it has a number of aluminium sections bolted to the roof it is a Britax Weathershield. Many owners call describe their sun roofs as Webasto's, when they are actually Britax. The Webasto is actually quite rare, and as you said, had a wooden framework.

David

Hi. I had a Britax sunroof. I looked into getting it refurbished and was advised that the Britax type never completely seal, and to upgrade to a Webasto would be expensive. In the end I bought a roof section which was cut to size and used to fill the hole. Apparently the roof can sag if you don't fit the insert properly. Mine hasn't. I was very sad to lose the sunroof, but figured it was something that I could fit in the future if I wanted to. I would go for a removable panel that's completely sealed and flush when closed. I've seen a few pics of +2s with this sort of panel fitted, but did like the look of the fabric sunroof.

Sean.

I have read somewhere that 'the body loses rigidity' by fitting a sunroof.

Is this really a problem? Obviously removing the entire roof , as in a cabriolet drophead conversion will allow more scuttle shake, but is there any history of cracking in sunroofed cars?

I quite fancied the idea of a Webasto fabric roof and I think they look fine, open or shut, personally. Not a good idea for competition though...

Well I'm V.happy with my sunroof,tilts/fully removable and watertight,lets in lots of light and no problems whatsoever with rigidity..
John

No problem with mine either. It is a soft top type (Weathershield-Britax). The roof was extensively cracked before installation of the sunroof; no problems after installation. The Weathershield uses two flat pieces of steel to hold the frame in place. Really like the sunroof as the car can be a bit hot in summer weather without it.

Recently at our Sebring track day the bonnet was popping up due to cornering forces flexing the front of the body. Taped it down to finish the session. I wouldn't call it cowl shake though, more a steady flexing with the car drifting. Don`t think the sunroof is the issue. No problem now at road speed with bonnet pop; might need to adjust the latches a bit.

HTH