Lotus Elan Central

by **pjohn151** » Sun 01.10.2006, 10:14

Ideal for those who have just had their car's resprayed.

The front mudflaps from a 2005+ model year Fiesta fit the front wheel arch/sill of the Elan very well, even the fitting kit 'fits' the wheelarch and lower sill, and they do not require any drilling or modifications to fit. Ford part number is 1144644.

I will post pictures when it stops raining... (see further down)

Phil

by **ab2cv** » Sun 01.10.2006, 15:36

Been wanting to fit some front mudflaps for ages. Will be really interested to see the pics.

Alan

by **John_W** » Sun 01.10.2006, 20:18

Nice one John. Sounds like they fit better than the Lotus originals which are on my car.
John

by **GeoffSmith** » Sun 01.10.2006, 22:23

John_W wrote:Nice one John.

No you're John, he's Phil! :lol:

John_W wrote:Sounds like they fit better than the Lotus originals

Were these optional extras? I haven't got any and my sills are taking quite a beating so I'd be interested in some. How are they fitted?

Geoff

by **pjohn151** » Mon 02.10.2006, 15:08

The original mudflaps are quite abysmal in preventing stone chips on the sill and rearpanel in front of the wheel. They also look like they are from a 1980's saloon. The Fiesta ones are a moulded shape similar in style to the Series 2 Elise ones, and the moulded wheelarch/sill contour match the Elan perfectly.

Unfortunately, now it has stopped raining, I am at work and can't take/post a picture as the car is at home

Phil

by **discovery** » Mon 02.10.2006, 15:21

Excellent find , Approx cost? Do they have the ford logo or markings on them? I presume they dont for you to fit them

by **pjohn151** » Mon 02.10.2006, 22:33

There are no Ford markings on the outside, and they cost about £22 from a dealer or less if on eBay...

Pictures as promised...

Phil

by **John_W** » Wed 04.10.2006, 20:14

Phil,
Interesting. Nice fit - I'm not sure I like the top of them, though - looks a bit "muckle". Sorry to hear you've sold your car.

Here are some pictures of Lotus original front mudflaps for comparison (£16 per pair when they were available).

These are not in any way contoured to the shape of the sill, the fitting kit clips are useless, and I reckon 5 mins in Halfords would get you something similar. However they have stayed on for 5 years and must have reduced the paint chips a bit.

John

by **GeoffSmith** » Wed 04.10.2006, 20:19

How are they attached John? Is that a couple of self tappers I see?

Geoff

PS how did you get your foot in that position and manage to take the third photo?

by **John_W** » Wed 04.10.2006, 21:12

geoffsmith wrote:How are they attached John? Is that a couple of self tappers I see?

Yup. Self-tappers into the fibreglass lip and a rawlbolt into the end of the sill (through the wheelarch liner) with rubber spacer for a standoff to keep things square. The fitting kit supplied was U-clamps and bolts to clamp the plastic/rubber onto the lip of the arch - useless.

geoffsmith wrote:PS how did you get your foot in that position and manage to take the third photo?

Just one of the techniques I learned from the useful booklet "How to unscrew your leg for increased flexibility in a cramped garage full of crap".

John

by **pjohn151** » Thu 05.10.2006, 08:13

Is that a couple of self tappers I see?

That's what I like about the Fiesta ones - they require no drilling, so should you rip one off, you should not be left with a large hole in the sill for water ingress. I had the Lotus ones on my previous Elan and was not that impressed with them, infact my most recent one had them in the boot when I bought the car , but I gave them to Stef (who probably still hasn't fitted them).Also the Fiesta ones are more rigid than the Lotus ones, and so will not get blown back when the car is moving.

Phil

by **muley** » Thu 05.10.2006, 15:44

Phil,

This is indeed a good find. I'll definitely go and get a set (bugger it, I'll get 2 sets and fit a set to my wife's ...

... Fiesta)

Thanks

Jim

by **Doug** » Fri 06.10.2006, 00:45

muley wrote:bugger it, I'll get 2 sets and fit a set to my wife's ...

... Fiesta

how many Elans do you have, Jim . . . :wink:

by **algirdas** » Fri 06.10.2006, 03:44

Dear Phil and Jim:

Has anyone found a mudflap that works well in the rear?

Jim-If you will be picking up two sets, could you please make it three and let me buy one off of you at Stoneleigh?

Sincerely,

Algirdas

by **John_W** » Fri 06.10.2006, 08:22

algirdas wrote:Has anyone found a mudflap that works well in the rear?

Al,
That sort of thing sounds smutty and very painful, so I wouldn't advise trying it.

However the rear wheel-arches of my car are fitted with Lotus original mudflaps of a similar design to the front. Again, not moulded to the body, nothing special, and held on by self-tappers and a bracket.

John

by **Specky** » Fri 06.10.2006, 11:35

The Lotus rears worked fine....

Well Until I reversed up a curb and ripped them of a treat.. :shock:

New set waiting to go on.

The only problem I’ve had with the Lotus mud flaps is one of corrosion. They take quite a hammering on their reinforcing plates..

TTFN

by **Don.Hasi** » Sat 04.11.2006, 18:25

Does anyone have from both solutions a picture with that kind of viewing angle, that the back is on the picture too? It should help to decide whether putting only front ones look fine.

Thanks in advance

Regards

by **John_W** » Sat 04.11.2006, 23:42

Don.Hasi wrote:Does anyone have from both solutions a picture with that kind of viewing angle, that the back is on the picture too?

Don,
The attached photos show the Lotus mudflaps (but not very well).
John

by **Don.Hasi** » Sun 05.11.2006, 00:28

Hello John,

just the right pictures of your beauty.

Thanks again

Don

by **Enright** » Wed 02.01.2008, 23:50

Now I've gone down the Ford Fiesta route as well and am very pleased with the result:

Lotus Elan Central

Replacement 'Fitted' Front Mudflaps-Now with added pictures!

Replacement 'Fitted' Front Mudflaps-Now with added pictures!

mud flaps

Replacement Fitted Front Mudflaps

Re: Replacement Fitted Front Mudflaps

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