Lotus Elan Central

by **Monty** » Wed 21.03.2007, 20:32

Yeah a mm closer please :lol:

Looking at Costas photo, his are a bit closer together

by **GeoffSmith** » Wed 21.03.2007, 20:35

Monty wrote:his are a bit closer together

and right in front of his nose!

by **Ekapol** » Wed 21.03.2007, 22:10

geoffsmith wrote:
Monty wrote:his are a bit closer together
and right in front of his nose!

I'm dying here Geoff!!

Yes, Costa's light seem to be in between the previous 2 photoshop-ed pictures. Closer to the closer space picture.

She must be 8 feet tall or sth.

by **chrisP** » Thu 22.03.2007, 14:27

I thought I had better drop a note on here about the positioning of the lights on my light panel. The reasoning behind the current positioning is so that you can revert to the old lights if nesessary as only very minimal triming was required to the back panel on the car (I tried various spacings when building the original). Obviously if you are willing to cut the body work around, then you can allow for different spacings, but you may not ever be able to fit the originals again.

Chris

Oh and by the way there will be a panel for sale in the parts section today

by **GeoffSmith** » Thu 22.03.2007, 14:57

Chris,

Good point about the wiring (not Phil's strong point I fear).

As there are so many doctored images of your rear end going around, could you post a link or copy of your original please?

Geoff

EDIT: Don't worry, just found the latest ones!

here as well

by **surfboardfiller** » Thu 22.03.2007, 20:24

geoffsmith wrote:Good point about the wiring (not Phil's strong point I fear).

Fear not Mr Sniff! For I have been busy in my research! I have purchased examples of male/female connetors for Elan and both Elise S2 light units and am currently making moulds for the connectors, so the less adventurous can just plug the lights in to their existing wiring loom with no hasstle. Plug n Play, you might say! :-D

This is what happens when you graduate twice with honours! You know how to research and design! :roll:

by **Monty** » Thu 22.03.2007, 23:23

That sounds great Phil,

i`ve just recieved those elise lights for one side, there bigger than i thought :-D

Looking forward to seeing the finished artical :smt023

by **Costas** » Fri 23.03.2007, 03:33

I really really really really dont understand the meaning of all those post s and replies about the spacing in between the lights, the kind of lights to use, how the pannel should look like etc. Isnt Lotus Designers the ones we should refer to?

Well, all I did is copied the Lotus Esprit Rear Panel and installed it to the lotus Elan in every detail. All you have to do is find a Lotus Esprit with modern rear panel and take your measurements, install the same lights like Lotus did on the Esprit and ta-ta-dah!!! You have it, plain and simple.

What you are trying to do my friend is similar to this

It aint hard if you really think of it, and after all, by copying this you still keep it as a LOTUS Design!

Check the difference, its absolutely like if it was Lotus Factory Made.

Just trying to help...

by **Enright** » Fri 23.03.2007, 08:50

by **surfboardfiller** » Fri 23.03.2007, 11:13

Costas wrote:I really really really really dont understand the meaning of all those post s and replies about the spacing in between the lights, the kind of lights to use, how the pannel should look like etc. Isnt Lotus Designers the ones we should refer to?

Yes, they are spaced apart; 1/4 of the width of the light. But that's just the Lotus lights. I wanted the other lights to be spaced appropriately as their size may vary. This also gives flexibility to the manufacturing and choise to the buyer without increasing costs.

Thanks for joining in Costas

by **DeeAitch** » Mon 02.04.2007, 21:24

Anyone know the Dia. of the Lotus light units?

by **Monty** » Mon 02.04.2007, 21:46

Dave,

I`m getting about 118mm at the front of the lens

by **DeeAitch** » Tue 03.04.2007, 19:08

Monty wrote:Dave,

I'm getting about 118mm at the front of the lens

Thanks Monty and well done on getting a set :wink:

How about the rear mounting face?

by **ailwyn** » Tue 03.04.2007, 19:38

Oi, where's my panel?? :poke:

by **Doug** » Tue 03.04.2007, 20:00

agree with Costas!!

though I'd say he shoulda put the Lotus marque round badge in there and got rid of the boot lid emblems.

by **Elanlover** » Tue 03.04.2007, 20:43

From all the rear panels made that I've seen Costa's version seems to look the best. The light spacing and their positioning (the outer curve of the inner light seems to be in libe with the vertical crease in the trunk/boot lid) are all close to perfect. Helps that the plate area is large which takes up some of the empty space between the right and left lights.

Anyone ever consider re-using the lastic covers to mount the lights behind them as is the case with so many other cars these days? I appreciate that Lotus hasn't done that yet though.

by **surfboardfiller** » Tue 03.04.2007, 21:07

ailwyn wrote:Oi, where's my panel??

Sorry, my girlfiriend just had baby number 6, 3 weeks earlier than expected but he's doing really well so I am back on it now, Mr Ailwyn sir. :oops:

by **Ekapol** » Tue 03.04.2007, 21:36

Congrats!! :-)

by **Monty** » Tue 03.04.2007, 21:37

Dave wrote:
Monty wrote:Dave,

I'm getting about 118mm at the front of the lens

Thanks Monty and well done on getting a set

How about the rear mounting face?

Dave it`s difficult to measure the rear as the moulding protrudes out and i haven`t got any calipers to measure correctly, but seems around the same 118mm. Think Phil will have a better idea as he`s making the panel.

by **surfboardfiller** » Tue 03.04.2007, 22:06

Dave, they are 120mm side to side on the inside face. Based on Ailwyns Lotus LED unit.

No calipers? use a piece of wood on top of a tool box and push it aginst the light up against a wall, remove the light/object, then measure the gap :-D

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