Bespoke Luggage for the Elan

[1owner69Elan]

I was watching a UK TV show here in the States called "Salvage Hunters Classic Cars" where they were discussing putting some bespoke luggage in one of their projects. They visited a fellow, Colin Surman, at Bag World in Redditch to get this done. It gave me the idea of doing the same for my Elan.

Colin did not have a ready made design for the Elan so I created a four piece set to my specifications and provided it to Bag World. After selecting materials and colors the bags were put together in the matter of a few weeks by Colin's team. They shipped them from Redditch to California and I got them in one day!

Below is my conceptual design and the finished bags. The design was executed perfectly and fit and finish are excellent. Quite pleased. (No affiliation just a happy customer).

Conceptual Design:

Lotus Luggage Dimensions.jpg (65.55 KiB) Viewed 1212 times

Actual Luggage:

It was a pleasure doing business with Colin and his team. They even sent a personal thank you note with the shipment, signed by all the members of his team. It is great in this day of mass production that talented craftsman still exist and are so committed to their craft.

BTW, Colin is a Lotus devotee having had several over the years (Esprits, Excel).

[mark030358]

Where do you put all the spare parts

On a serious not, very nice...

[1owner69Elan]

Where do you put all the spare parts

On a serious not, very nice...

Actually since I don’t carry a spare tire there is a lot of room in the spare tire cavity. But I’m not planning on using it for spare parts.
I’m pretty confident in my car having spent over 50 years getting the bugs out. Also, I maintain a road service policy with long range towing, just in case.

[TBG]

1owner69. "spent over 50 years getting the bugs out" - they must have enormous bugs in California if they take that long to catch!! How many miles have you done in the 50 years?

Very smart luggage I must say but this is how it should be done!!

[gherlt]

May I ask what the suitcases did cost (without shipping) ?

[Certified Lotus]

That is very impressive. Now you need to plan a big road trip!

[Lyn7]

Well done, looks absolutely superb. I'm sure you will enjoy them.

[Ross Robbins]

Glen S wrote

That is very impressive. Now you need to plan a big road trip!

With that luggage and your philosophy about spares you could join me on my Cross Country Elan trip and class up the whole affair every time we unload at a stop

[1owner69Elan]

May I ask what the suitcases did cost (without shipping) ?

500 pounds for the four pieces and my design/chosen materials.

But, since these are bespoke, best to get a quote from Colin for any particular set.

[stugilmour]

Very nice! Really like your colour scheme.

I got two bags made for my Plus 2 a while ago, although we have not had a chance to use them yet. The company was formerly called Hillsalive, but I think this link is their new name / web site. I see they have alternatives for different Lotus models as well. When I ordered the bags they were more known within the Morgan community.

https://classictravellingluggage.com/make/lotus/

Interesting that the Plus 2 boot is also about 22” front to back, similar to your Elan luggage. Of course the Plus 2 boot is a bit bigger in practice due to the battery being below the floor boards.

I think we have enough depth to put a small garment bag on top like you did. I raised my floor boards about 1/2” to better accommodate the battery, so my car fits a bit tighter than stock.

Nice feature!

PS. Would be great to take those new bags to Salt Lake next September!

[RichardHawkins]

1 owner elan,

Excuse me diverting from your excellent bespoke baggage, but what I really noticed was that you have fitted the boot/trunk rubber seal without any kinks in the corners. How did you do that?


Richard Hawkins

[1owner69Elan]

I don’t recall any particular issue. The boot seal was obtained from Sue Miller.

Actually I think the paint shop refitted the new one. If they used some particular technique I don’t know.