Rear lights

[davidallen]

Hi,

A subject (just) slightly more relevant than 4th gears and DAF
transmissions!

I am struggling to get some good rear lights for my +2 (which I am sure you
are aware, were also used on the later +0). This is probably because I am
not prepared to pay the inflated cost of such items.

However, it occurred to me it might be possible to have the chrome section
copied and remanufactured, using an original one as a template, ideally in
plastic this time. Chrome plating may be tricky but virtually every kids toy
has chromed plastic, so it should not be an insurmountably problem

The factory I work for actually has a pattern shop, although they are more
used to dealing with cast iron! However, they may be a useful source of
info. Has anyone else had experience of similar work, or may be interested
in getting involved?

David


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[Billmack]

It is possible to cast something in resin (epoxy usually) with a rubber mold and plate it afterwards.Hemming's has a couple of ads usuaiiy for chromed plastic.
good luck,you will spend a lot more time than money,
Bill Mack

-----Original Message-----
From: ALLEN, David <***@***.***>
To: ***@***.***
Sent: Thu, 9 Feb 2006 13:15:54 -0000
Subject: [LotusElan.net] Rear lights


Hi,

A subject (just) slightly more relevant than 4th gears and DAF
transmissions!

I am struggling to get some good rear lights for my +2 (which I am sure you
are aware, were also used on the later +0). This is probably because I am
not prepared to pay the inflated cost of such items.

However, it occurred to me it might be possible to have the chrome section
copied and remanufactured, using an original one as a template, ideally in
plastic this time. Chrome plating may be tricky but virtually every kids toy
has chromed plastic, so it should not be an insurmountably problem

The factory I work for actually has a pattern shop, although they are more
used to dealing with cast iron! However, they may be a useful source of
info. Has anyone else had experience of similar work, or may be interested
in getting involved?

David


CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE

The information contained in this e-mail is intended only for the
confidential use of the above named recipient. If you are not the intended
recipient or person responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient,
you have received this communication in error and must not distribute or
copy it. Please accept the sender's apologies, notify the sender immediately
by return e-mail and delete this communication. Thank you.

[twincamracing]

insurmountably problem

lindsaybks.com and eastwood have texts and materials for such moulding.
in the case of plastics you may be able to use plastic bottles (#2
recycle marking) for the product but don't know how they'd chrome or
accept a silver pigment.
Scott

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[Lincoln62]

The rear lights on the S4 and Plus 2 were inspired by the 105 series
Alfa rears. Very similar lights were used on the V12 E Type Jag. Mind
you they might be just as expensive as the Lotus ones but it does give
you a few more options.

Peter
66S2

ALLEN, David wrote:

[Frank Howard]

In a message dated 2/9/06 04:18:04 PM, ***@***.***es:

<< Very similar lights were used on the V12 E Type Jag. >>

Peter, you are correct. They are similar, but not the same. The Jaguar
light has a red reflector where the reverse lens is on the Lotus light because the
Jaguar has a separate reverse light mounted in the center of the car. Almost
bought one last summer at an autojumble and planned on switching out the
reflector for a reverse lens, but found that the reflector is not removable.
That's a shame.

Frank Howard
'71 S4 SE
Minnesota

[Rob_LaMoreaux]

The metal casting on the V12 E-Type is identical before the holes are cut.

The E-type has two bulbs side by side, no backup light and a lens that is
all red.

The late USA Elan S4 and Europa had one bulb, a reverse light and the lens
was red except for the backup light lens.

The early USA Elan S4, and the Elans in the rest of the world had two bulbs
one above the other, a reverse light and the lens was red and amber with the
clear backup lens.

I have converted two of the single bulb Europe taillights to the dual bulb
Elan design since my 1969 Elan was wired for the dual bulb unit (which I
prefer) but did not come with lights. This consisted of cutting two bulb
mounting holes in the casting on either side of the original hole. Removing
the original reflector cup and adding a divider between the lights. The
original would have also had two smaller cup reflectors for the bulbs, but
since these were not chromed and I just used the chromed metal casting for
the reflector.

Rob LaMoreaux

A & D Technology Inc.
4622 Runway Blvd.
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
734-822-9696
Fax 734-973-1103
Main Desk 734-973-1111
www.mtspt.com
Work email: ***@***.***
Home email: ***@***.***

[stupidemail5 at lycos.com]

Also there is a usa 2 bulb version like the ROW version except without the amber lens



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[grat]

On Fri, Feb 10, 2006 at 09:10:21AM +1100, Peter Walker wrote:

I had heard somewhere that at least the initial lights were
direct Alpha units, as in they bought them "off the shelf" from
Alpha. The quanity required to do that made lotus use them on several
cars; S4, +2 and europa). Don't know the truth to this statement, and
I'm now wondering where I heard it (seems like it was a recent lotus
video).

I too am looking for a cheaper alterative as I'm taking my S4
racing and don't really want to use the original ones (which have a
couple minor cracks on the corners screws but are in good condition
otherwise) as I know they will dinged/cracked over time. I'm not
concerned with 100% stock look, but need functional looking lights
(actually brake lights do need to work). I had thought about
fabracating some out of flat panel reflector plastic but someone knows
of a near replacement that requires less work to fit I'd be
interested.

fj..