Red Carpet Help Required???

[Mike Y]

Does anyone know where to get a supply of the red carpet used in the Elan? I am looking for a couple of new pieces for the doors and to make a map pocket. Cheers Mike

[Saltire]

Mike, you might want to give Aldridge Trimmers a call. I’ve always found them to be very helpful and capable when it comes to identifying exact colour shades to match a specific make/model/year/shade of trim.

[dapinky]

About 12 years ago I was looking to tidy up the interior of my red elan, and spent ages trying to find some carpet. I didn't realise how 'orange' the Lotus one is, until I started to compare what was available. The closest I found was from Woolies, but it was still a little bit redder than the elan.

A short while later I got some new carpetrs from the aftersales list and used my old ones for making the door panels. Your best bet is to ask if anyone has any old carpet pieces lying around, and use those (I gave my spare ones away many years ago, so can't help I'm afraid).

[Mike Y]

Thanks guys I have 2 brand new floor carpets from the after sales which came with Jamie's Elan for the purpose of making door carpets but it seems such a waste and I now quite fancy fitting the new Red floor carpets in my Red SE but I would then need more red carpet to cover the doors in Jamie's Elan and the bulk head in my Elan.

Years ago I found the carpet supplier to lotus they were based in Kent I think but I cannot remember their name.

[Mike Y]

Does anyone have know who the current carpet suppliers are to Lotus or the original manufacturer for the Elan better still.

Cheers Mike

[GeoffSmith]

Barrie Wills thinks the original supplier was probably Firths Furnishings of Heckmondwike, a subsidiary of Carpets International. Not sure if the successor company can help you Mike but here is their website.

[Mike Y]

Thanks Geoff I will explore that avenue of enquiry
Cheers Mike

[NewLogik]

Keep us updated, it's interesting to know.

[cliff]

Mike,

probably not to your standard of restoration but I replaced my torn and faded carpets with matching leather. I have also approached a couple of companies about having my very faded but generally in good condition, red carpets cleaned and dyed. Unfortunately I need to wait for this media driven plandemic hysteria to stop before getting them done.

[Mike Y]

Hi Cliff
I am trying t finish the car as Jamie intended as best as possible. There are parts of the car that still can be seen to be used however the challenge is to find the best of what is out there whether that is second hand, new old stock or reconditioned. The problem with the carpets is Jamie decided to change the colour to Red but didnt have the full set. But what he did have was new old stock. Let me know how your re dying goes sounds interesting.
Cheers Mike

[Mike Y]

I have received many samples over the last couple of weeks from approx 7 different companies non of them match the Lotus original red/orange colour.
The search continues....

[GeoffSmith]

Someone on Facebook says that Coverdale's Wessex Wool Scarlet is a perfect match and it looks like you can request free samples.

[Rambo]

Looks like my old Collapso red carpet colour

[Mike Y]

Hi I've got the samples they are not quite the right colour .
I have been offered some carpets from a LEC member I am awaiting him getting back to me when he gets a chance to check what he has. Also the carpet manufacturer that Geoff mentioned left me a voice mail to get in touch after receiving a sample I sent to them. It will involve them recreating the carpet. They would not confirm they were the original supplier to Lotus but were keen to look at the sample. They are asking whether it would require just the colour recreating or whether the heat molding backing is also required.

It would need to be recreated in a one off bulk so this could prove too costly unless there are other people interested in the replacing their carpets or going Red.

[Mike Y]

Today I received an E mail from Firth carpets having had a good look at the sample I sent them.

They have stated they can exactly recreate the original Red carpet in non moulded form at their factory in Italy see their response below.


[i]Yes we are able to produce your carpet to the same colour and finish.

There would be a minimum production requirement of 240sqm.

It can be produced at either 1.00m or 2.00m width

Price will be 14.90Euros/sqm ex-works Italy[/i]

That's approx £3225.00 before shipping and tax I presume
I don't think there are enough Elan owners in the world interested in changing their carpets to red or replacing old carpets that would make this a viable option