Lotus Elan Central

I "might" look into having a duplicate of the centre console (SE models, not S2) made. This would be part of a project to install a electric hand brake that I "Might" get around to on a whim. This would entail removing the handbrake lever and replacing it with a linear actuator and button. Doing so would free up a large amount of space in that area for anything from additional switches, cupholders, iPod/cellphone connections, etc.

If I have my existing console copied I could enquire about a mould being made for production of additional pieces for those interested as I believe consoles are hard to come by now (as are a lot of interior panels). Keep in mind that these would be gelcoated fibreglass requiring you to apply the final paint or finish of your choice thereby making it look different from the stock piece. Also, I could enquire about having copies made of the version I would ultimately end up with which would eliminate the "slot" for the hand brake, the indent where your hand goes to grasp the handle and likely some other changes.

This is just to gauge interest if at all.

Hi Blair,

This was a modification I was considering a couple of years ago when i got fed up with the MOT tester telling me that the handbrake was 'only just' good enough every year....

I decided that fitting the actuator would be easy enough, and then the wiring.

What i was uncertain of was what sort of travel would be needed, and with what force. I decided that 30mm travel would be enough (probably), and that limited my options to a 76KG unit - if I uwanted a 50mm travel I could use one with a lot more power (407kg) but thought it may be too much for the rest of the mechanism, so I gave up at that point and just keep my standard system as well maintained as I can.

What are your thoughts on the actuator?????

I've looked at several actuators with adjustable push/pull settings such as this one on eBay. Conversely, it would be fairly easy to build a limit switch as this guy did to take care of the travel length. It should be easy to determine the actual length needed by removing the centre console and just measuring the cable travel when the brake is off versus fully engaged. I'd like to think that 100 lbs. pulling power would be enough but its hard to tell as there'd be no Archimedes lever to lessen the load (which the handbrake handle now does for us). A bracket would have to be built to replace the current handbrake brake bracket onto which the actuator would be mounted. Some electronics would be required to operate a nice looking, momentary, simple one button (on/off) switch.

EDIT: We'd need to cross connect the switch to the main brake switch (or similar) to prevent accidental activation of the handbrake while driving for obvious reasons. Something like needing to have your foot on the brake in order for the handbrake mechanism to work.

But, back to the topic at hand.........................anyone interested in having fibreglass consoles made up (either the original or a version supporting an e-brake)?

I was looking at building one years ago as well. Similar to the S2 or a hybrid of that and an esprit. Never got round to it with the other projects I had looming. Would be interested in hearing some ideas.

I have started a conversation in my Major Project thread for further discussion and ideas.

lotusgirlmarie wrote:...Would be interested in hearing some ideas.

OK, to help with this youtu.be/Q71yPwV23Go?t=6m11s I'm thinking of the storage section hinged at the rear so it can be folded up against the rear bulkhead like a tray table on an airplane

This is interesting. I think that it would be good to lower the top of the cubby between the seats so that it doesn't obstruct the elbow during gear changes. An iPod dock would be good too.

Rusty Wishbone wrote:This is interesting. I think that it would be good to lower the top of the cubby between the seats so that it doesn't obstruct the elbow during gear changes. An iPod dock would be good too.

Like the sound of the lowering of the cubby but not so keen on a handbrake operated by a switch if I'm honest, hated that on my Audi A4........I like the reassurance of having manually applied the handbrake and mine seems to work OK at the moment

Also like the idea of the extra cubby hole always good to have extra storage spaces, will watch with interest