Lotus Elan Central

All right, I have been developing an idea from spring, to build a model upgrade for a UK specification M100 light modification, as requested by Dave P (blame him).

I wanted to do this along side the Coupe' development as I want a custom panel to replace the Renault lights etc.

I have been building a model and got as far as I want to go for now and wondered if anyone else would like an upgrade and how they would like it. I'm considering a production run to off set costs. But need a direction to go in that is acceptable to a reasonable market.

Of course I can carry out any custom work required.

The model is a single panel to fit the existing transom panel for easy fitting and non permanent fixing, much the same way the lights and Perspex box are fitted, so a fully reversible modification. So far it looks like the Esprit V8 (I'll buy one one day!) but no light holes fitted yet.

The question is 'How do you want your lights?' Final Esprit/ Late Elise style etc.. Your ideas please........

Photos will be posted of the work so far ASAP.

Cheers,

Phil

Phil,

I'd be very interested. Would prefer Hella lights, the LED mix n match variety http://www.hella.com/produktion/HellaCO ... t3_GBu.pdf (Page 7) and number plate should be sunken into the structure not on top of it, although I am tempted by a rear illuminated no plate (cost permitting).

Ailwyn

Phil,

Very interested. Something as per the late V8 Esprit, using round (Elise Mk 1 lights) and a shallow recessed number plate. Best example I've seen to date is that on SH4RK because it retains a look of what Lotus were doing at the time and therefore looks as though it was a factory mod. Ailwyn may have a point in that the Hella lights are more flexible and esier to source, but I'm not convinced. Look forward to seeing some pictures.

Nige,

Hear what your saying, I'd have to go for LED lights though, and I think the MK1 Elise used bulbs? Also with the Lotus reliability for parts availability.....

It may be worth investigating both to see if the Hella and Elise lights are close enough in size to both be accommodated.

Ailwyn

I've just completed my LED version,but as yet havn't been able to work out how to put pics on!
Mine are Hella!

Roger

As far as I have been able to ascertain, the Hellas are the same size as the Elise lights (are they the same as the esprit ones?) - I have been looking at the various options, and i like the fact that the Hellas are a 'direct wire' job with resistors built in, so the wiring is easy(er) than the Elise LED's which would require a seperate resistor pack in the wiring.

I also like the 'flexibility' of how you want your individual car to look, with different configurations of actual lights for the inner bulb and outer LED rings.

Personally, I'm currently leaning towards a clear indicator in the centre of the outer lamp, with an LED 'tail lamp' outer ring.

For the inner light, I'm thinking of an LED ring for brake lamps, with the central part being:- O/S - Fog lamp, N/S Reversing lamp (but i'm still changing my mind every time i look at the pictures )

how about like this:

Full width 'Esprit' V8 style including a recess for a round 'nose' badge + Elise LED lights please

ailwyn wrote:Nige,

Hear what your saying, I'd have to go for LED lights though, and I think the MK1 Elise used bulbs? Also with the Lotus reliability for parts availability.....

It may be worth investigating both to see if the Hella and Elise lights are close enough in size to both be accommodated.

Ailwyn

Mk 1 Elise does use bulbs, Mk 2 was originally bulbs but recently switched to LED. The view in my post was very much my opinion and I think for flexibility and sourcing the Hella option is prpbably the best. What I don't like about many of the LED units is the extensive and obvious plastic chrome that you can see looks a bit too rice boy souped up Nova or Saxo to me.

roger_fewtrell wrote:I've just completed my LED version,but as yet havn't been able to work out how to put pics on!
Mine are Hella!

Roger

Roger,

If you have digital pics, send them to me at the email address on my profile. I'll either resize them and send them back to you for posting, or just say "bugger it" and post them for you!

Don`t think u can beat Costas creation

Here are the pics Roger sent me:

Monty wrote:Don't think u can beat Costas creation

I agree, and would only be looking for a light/no plate replacement (i.e. the full panel) but it doesn't look like the no plate is illuminated on Shark unless it's backlit.

Ailwyn

Neat piece of kit.
Where did you buy the Hella units from, how does the cost compare to the Elise/Esprit items?

Nice one Roger, great photos and a great job!!

This thread is turning out to be better than I hoped; some good thoughts here, let's see if I can contribute!

The frame is built and it's heading toward an Esprit V8 Style, I'm trying to resist Designing a fresh one (which is hard for me) and try to retain that Lotus look. Let's see how well this panel does with the rounded and angled shape of the M100. It seems like a lot of synchronous ideas are coming to the surface.

Rather like this I'd imagine

I like it!

surferphil wrote::-D I like it!

Me too!

surferphil wrote::-D I like it!

Well pull yer finger out!

ailwyn wrote:

surferphil wrote::-D I like it!

Well pull yer finger out!

Get some lights and we'll put this puppy together!