Lotus Elan

glove compartment restoration, '70 +2 federal

PostPost by: pudge2260 » Sat Oct 14, 2023 12:50 am

Putting the dash panel back together. The first thing that I've noticed is that there is no knob/ handle to open the glove compartment door and the door fits tight in the top left corner. Second, how is the actual box attached to the front wood gauge panel? The one that I'm working on is taped into place. Inside, no light or latch.
Descriptions and or pictures will be greatly appreciated.
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PostPost by: mikealdren » Sat Oct 14, 2023 8:18 am

Later +2s have a push to open latch so there is no external handle.
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PostPost by: rjaxe » Sat Oct 14, 2023 9:37 am

IMG_0603.JPG and
These are pictures of the glove compartment on my 1971 Plus2 s130 its a UK version so Federal might be different. The hinges are screwed into the side of the opening and to the back of the door so are essentially hidden when closed. The latch is a common device in the UK, used on loft hatches for example, and latches when the door is pushed in then unlatches when pushed again.
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PostPost by: JonB » Sat Oct 14, 2023 6:02 pm

It’s called a tutch latch. They are cheap as chips. Google it… you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
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PostPost by: Bud English » Sat Oct 14, 2023 7:35 pm

1970 +2 (fed)s have the handle, not the touch latch, as shown in the parts manual, Section BB -- Body - Facia (Early). Here's a photo of the hardware but, sadly, not installed.
Glove box hardware X.jpg and
70+2S (fed) glove box harddware


The box originally screwed to the back of the facia with small wood screws with washers.
gb mounting a.jpg and
On the top there is a crude flange that incorporates the slot for the lock.
top bracket a.jpg and
On mine I added a piece of light aluminum angel for additional support.
bottombracket b.jpg and
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PostPost by: The Veg » Sun Oct 15, 2023 12:40 am

[quote="Bud English"]1970 +2 (fed)s have the handle, not the touch latch, as shown in the parts manual, Section BB

My '70 fed non-S has the touch-latch and no light. And the latch doesn't work nearly as easily after having the dashboard apart for restoration. Have to give it a mighty poke to make it release!
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PostPost by: Foxie » Sun Oct 15, 2023 11:23 am

The latch on my Plus 2S was always jamming, so I replaced it with a magnetic cupboard lock when I made up a new "drop down" glovebox.
:)
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68 Elan +2, 70 Elan +2s
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PostPost by: Bud English » Sun Oct 15, 2023 5:25 pm

Looks like the -2S's are totally different from the non-S's. Pudge, you've got options. It sounds like switching to a magnetic latch is better than the original. Maybe someone with a non-S can confirm if the mounting to the dash is the same as I've shown or different as well.
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PostPost by: pudge2260 » Sun Oct 15, 2023 6:11 pm

Bud English wrote:Looks like the -2S's are totally different from the non-S's. Pudge, you've got options. It sounds like switching to a magnetic latch is better than the original. Maybe someone with a non-S can confirm if the mounting to the dash is the same as I've shown or different as well.



Thanks for the pictures and info, enjoy the forum for everyone's help in solving these problems.
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PostPost by: gus » Tue Nov 21, 2023 1:51 am

Federal cars are not ever 'early' body
All the Federal 69-70 non S cars[4 small gauges, black window switches, labelled dash] I have ever seen have the touch latch.
Non Federal cars[thru early 69 registration, chrome window switches, external trunk lock] are pretty rare here
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PostPost by: elanfan1 » Tue Nov 21, 2023 6:47 am

If any of you need a tutch latch Alan Thomas (Spyder fan) on here has a small supply of new ones which are complete with a nice set of fitting instructions.
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PostPost by: john.p.clegg » Tue Nov 21, 2023 11:31 am

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