Lotus Elan Central

by **Low Profile** » Tue 21.03.2006, 14:00

Saw a guy at Donny with a retractable wind deflector thought I over heard him say MX5 part? Can anyone help me! Any alternatives as well!

PS:- Great day Saturday! Would recomend it to anyone! Smashing people all round!

by **Enright** » Tue 21.03.2006, 14:13

That was probably me. I have one for the MX-5 which was fitted by the previous owner and made by Oris.

by **Nige** » Tue 21.03.2006, 14:29

Low Profile,

Sorry to have missed you on Saturday, wanted to have a good look at your wheels, never mind catch you next year.

by **Rambo** » Tue 21.03.2006, 19:50

Low Profile wrote:Saw a guy at Donny with a retractable wind deflector thought I over heard him say MX5 part? Can anyone help me! Any alternatives as well!

PS:- Great day Saturday! Would recomend it to anyone! Smashing people all round!

If it was retractable it could also have been Andrew Ennis. He's a design engineer by profession and designed and built a limited edition of about 15 or so last year. Currently all gone but he told me he's going to produce more when he has the time.

Mark

by **TStevens** » Tue 21.03.2006, 20:19

yes Andrew told me off for not having one, whilst Liz sat there looking cold with the roof down :oops:

by **Sy V** » Wed 22.03.2006, 09:54

TStevens wrote:...whilst Liz sat there looking cold with the roof down

You just don't get that quality Viking woman, these days! :wink:

by **TStevens** » Wed 22.03.2006, 10:08

To be honest, she hadnt brought the right clothing for a cold windy morning with the roof down. She left her thermals and ski suit in Oslo (where it was -10 when she left) she said the main difference was the lack of wind when it's cold in Oslo, and that theres usually a warm sun too.

One of Andrews wind blockers may well be on my list of upgrades.

by **Low Profile** » Thu 23.03.2006, 20:42

Thanks men! Interested if any more produced!

My company does alot of work for Pilkington Glass and I have made enquiries about producing a glass one similar to the audi tt one, would that float any boats if it was to happem?

by **Elanlover** » Fri 24.03.2006, 14:57

Hi LP, I'd LOVE a glass or plexi one! I've seen the TT version and posted about it a month or so ago. I think that's the perfect type for the Elan. have to be creative in developing a mounting plan and brackets for it. Let me know what you're thinking.

by **a5gcd** » Fri 24.03.2006, 23:55

I could also be interested dependant on cost of course.

Geoff

by **John_W** » Sat 25.03.2006, 14:13

All,
When considering whether to fit a solid or mesh windbreak, it might be an idea to try examples of both on other cars to see which you prefer.

The solid variety (whether solid glass or plastic) form a barrier and cause the air flow to divert over and around it, and can merely move the problem rather than curing it.

The mesh variety actually diffuses the airflow and in my opinion is the better design. (Analogies would be using hedges instead of walls, walking the dog in a forest when it's too windy, or the perforated (nb not solid) plastic screening sold in garden centres as a windbreak.)

John

by **Gary** » Sat 25.03.2006, 18:08

For mesh, try the Oris windstop for the MX5.

by **Low Profile** » Sat 25.03.2006, 18:56

John_W wrote:All,
When considering whether to fit a solid or mesh windbreak, it might be an idea to try examples of both on other cars to see which you prefer.

The solid variety (whether solid glass or plastic) form a barrier and cause the air flow to divert over and around it, and can merely move the problem rather than curing it.

The mesh variety actually diffuses the airflow and in my opinion is the better design. (Analogies would be using hedges instead of walls, walking the dog in a forest when it's too windy, or the perforated (nb not solid) plastic screening sold in garden centres as a windbreak.)

John

:

by **Low Profile** » Sat 25.03.2006, 19:03

Gary wrote:For mesh, try the Oris windstop for the MX5.

I did look at Oris but the ones I saw didnt resemble the one I saw at Donny!

The one i saw was really discreet and I am sure used some kind of guide rails fixed to the car?

I do agree that Oris seems to be the conscensus of opion but dont think I have seen the exact one on line yet!

by **John_W** » Sat 25.03.2006, 19:52

Low Profile,
From your description, you may mean the Andrew Ennis design which a few of us have. For pictures / info see under Lotus Elan Central Forum Index -> Upgrades -> Wind stoppers nearly ready for sale - Pics included
here.

It is a well-made retractable mesh design, but I'm not sure Andrew will be making any more. It scores by being easy and convenient to use and easy to retract when not needed (takes about two seconds). It provides a good reduction in wind buffeting, however I'm prepared to believe that Gary's Oris version gives more shelter.

http://www.lotuselancentral.com/forum/d ... php?id=173

I now use Andrew's version as it's very quick to use. It replaced a Mazda solid / folding version which I used to carry in the boot. I found that even though it only took a couple of minutes or so to fit I couldn't be bothered and it stayed in the boot all the time, unused.

John

by **Elanlover** » Mon 27.03.2006, 04:00

I'd still be interested in a glass wind deflector. Far be it from me to debate what John_W has said but even a mesh deflector has to be blocking the majority of the wind. 90% or so? The rest would travel the same path as a solid deflector - just more of it. How much is the question. I know someone with an Audi TT and I've never heard a complaint about the glass deflector in use there. Of course, Audi probably spent $100K on engineering one "just right". I doubt there'd be that much investment made on one for our Elan :-D

Still, I love the idea of one. A lotus logo etched in the glass............... :wink:

by **ailwyn** » Mon 27.03.2006, 15:37

Elanlover wrote:Of course, Audi probably spent $100K on engineering one "just right"

Shame the same can't be said for their instrument clusters ;-)

Ailwyn

by **Michael** » Mon 09.04.2007, 07:47

I bought one a couple of years ago via my friendly Lotus Dealer (www.lotuscars.nl) in The Netherlands.
I remember is was not cheap but it works fantastic, one looks over it using the mirror, it is easy to install, it can be taken off in just a second and takes no room when not in use.

BTW, I can't upload image anymore...... :roll:

See my website under 'gallery' for pics.

by **DeeAitch** » Mon 09.04.2007, 11:54

Following a Merc (SLK?

) last year I thought ' that looks like it might fit' so I bought one off fleabay - £20 IIRC
It fits almost perfectly with the aid of a few poppers :lol:

Problem is - for me at least, I'm over 6 ft - it does nowt :evil:

That's why I've never posted before :oops:

by **Ghost** » Mon 09.04.2007, 15:51

I have just bought a wind deflector from www.mx5parts.co.uk which cost £99 + P&P. They offer three types of wind deflector, and I chose the 'V' style deflector as I think it fits the shape of the Elan seats best.
There were no real fittings to mount the deflector, just two small angle brackets which were of no use on the Elan.
I have made up my own brackets, but I am still modifying them to give the optimum height, so that the roof will clear it if I have to put it up in a hurry. Also it has to give 'she who must be obeyed' sufficient coverage so that her hair does not cost me a trip to the hairderssers everytime!! This is one advantage I have, with not much hair on top.
I will post some photos if anyone is interested, but at the moment with the brackets not being painted, it looks a bit of a dog's dinner.

Steve

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