Lotus Elan Central

by **Elanlover** » Mon 23.07.2007, 21:16

Neil has mailed me his templates so as soon as they arrive I'll check them for fit against the Fed car then get them off to the guy who'll make them. As for delivery, these will be offered on eBay I suspect so delivery will be no problem. While I do want to enquire about a bulk purchase price I think the best way to handle that, given all the various colours, and delivery locations involved, will be to suggest to him that he offer an introductory price for 30 days where we can all place our own orders.

by **Don.Hasi** » Mon 23.07.2007, 21:30

Elanlover: You are a brave man

THX!

by **Elanlover** » Mon 13.08.2007, 21:12

I've got Neil's templates (thanks Neil!). I'll will test fit them to my car to ensure they fit the Fed Elan (which they should) as soon as I'm able to get some time in the garage. After that, assuming its a good fit, I'll send them off to the eBay vendor to get his feedback.

Now, it appears from his eBay store that he already offers an Esprit mat and an Elise mat. The Esprit mat has the large Lotus logo in the middle which, although big, isn't as "in your face" as you'd think. The Elise mat, however, simply has "ELISE" writtn on it. I'm guessing we'll be able to tell him what we'd like. The Lotus logo or some other script line ELAN (in whatever Lotus Elan font can be found). So, what do people want? Cast your vote here.

Personally, I like the Lotus logo and, we know he has it so that may affect cost or availability over having to create a new logo. I'm pretty sure he's not going to be able to make a green/yellow original-like logo. It'll be the same color as the trim on the mat (which is black). So far, those who have indicated some form of interest include:

Elanlover
rip
Matt RI
al
Gee0
RichardK
Benmac
ailwyn
Luke
Don.Hasi

by **Don.Hasi** » Mon 13.08.2007, 21:47

Elanlover wrote: Cast your vote here.

I would like sth in the middle... something smaller than the Esprit-logo and greater than the one from B&S.

Black mat with grey logo as it is at the B&S would be nice.

Another logo/print ... hm... it could be too much on such little area. The Elise one was designed in one step: Car, Print, Font, ... As we could say, that our cars were constructed in a time ABCC already has an eye on it :wink:

I would tend more to the Esprit-Design than the modern font creation (our car is sexy enough and don´t need any more pushups and marketing-gimmicks :roll:

)

Although we have the very cool signet with the shape of the elan, it is there in that place wrong for me....

Just my thoughts

Kind regards

by **mailman221** » Mon 13.08.2007, 21:52

Grey with the lettering Lotus would be my color of choice as this was the color and style of my original mats.

by **rip** » Tue 14.08.2007, 09:32

I have a set of new, genuine Lotus ones now. They really do look like they belong there, so I was more than pleased to get shot of the generic ones.

However, I would be interested in a spare set with an LEC logo.

by **Jeffbro** » Wed 15.08.2007, 18:58

Just to let you know, i've just ordered a set of original Elan mats from SJ Sportscars after looking out for a set for the last year or so! They are on the web site and are grey with small round grey Lotus logos in the corners. :wink:

by **Elanlover** » Fri 24.08.2007, 17:08

Ok, I've been a bit slow on this - just tied up with other things. But, Neils templates fit the Fed car perfectly so it looks like one mat fits all so to speak. Now, the OEM mat is a bit "short" in that it does not run up the engine firewall for added "stain protection". If we like, I can modify the template to include a "tongue" that will ride up the wall a bit more. Or we can stick with the OEM dimensions. What's everyone think?

Secondly, in response to everyone's various requests, the mats will be black (not grey) with one colour trim stitching along the outside and for the logo. You can refer to the eBay link to get a sense of that. I will ask about grey trim though which would probably look nice on a black mat.

Lastly, as for a logo, the preference seems to be to use a logo he has (cheaper) which would mean the Lotus logo (he's got no ELAN logo or text - if there is one). The OEM mats had them as a smaller logo, off to the side of the mat somewhat. His mats have a large Lotus logo centered on the mat. Its not as overbearing as you might think but not subtle either. What's people's preferences about that?

by **tweetdriver63** » Fri 24.08.2007, 19:09

I was planning on modifying my original mats. They would end up looking pretty much like the ones in that ebay ad (with the red), but I was going to get "Elan" embroidered by a local shop using the logo on the back of this Kia Elan as a guide.

I prefer Elan over Lotus, because it gives a more custom look.

Also, for those who need them, the little retaining clips for your floor mats can be ordered here, or here.

by **Elanlover** » Fri 24.08.2007, 19:25

tweetdriver63 wrote:
I prefer Elan over Lotus, because it gives a more custom look.

Hmm....I wonder if they could do the smaller Lotus logo like the OEM version folowed by the ELAN text similar to whats on the back of the car? The REAL Elan, not the KIA version though...........

by **tweetdriver63** » Fri 24.08.2007, 19:33

I took a look at the ones from SJ Sportscars. The ones they picture obviously aren't the ones for the Elan, so they must all be similar in design, although not shape. Seems to me that you wouldn't even be able to see the little Lotus logo in the corner without sticking your head down in the footwell.

The logos need to be out in the middle where you can see them.

As for the Kia Elan lettering, I'm not saying I'm a fan of the Kia. I like the taillights better than the Renault ones we have, and for the floor mats, I just like the script lettering better than the block letters on the back of ours.

by **Sy V** » Sat 25.08.2007, 07:55

The reason that the logo is in the corner nearest the door is that you almost never have to put your dirty feet on it. Move it and you increase the chances of it becoming worn and soiled.

by **rip** » Sun 26.08.2007, 14:30

Probably also one of the reasons why it is not yellow/green too....it would get dirty quick and look poor, and coloured logos are more costly.

by **Don.Hasi** » Mon 24.09.2007, 19:47

Hi guys,

Is there any progress in this also nice work? I would need an extra set with yellow if the project will be continued?

Regards

by **Elanlover** » Mon 24.09.2007, 20:19

Hi Don, not as yet. Still waiting on a reply from the vendor :roll:

Don't give up hope yet though.

by **Elanlover** » Mon 01.10.2007, 16:02

Hi folks, finally got a response back from the vendor who's have e-mail server issues for a few weeks. I am sending the OEM mat templates at the end of the week. I've no idea how long it will take for them to make and be ready to offer them for sale on ebay but I'll ask once he sees them.

I've asked before what the matc should look like but I'll ask once more. There's only going to be one version of this mat soooo.......

Trim Colours:
- Red
- Yellow
- Grey
any others?
(mats are black BUT, I've seen them offer other colors now so I'll enquire but don't hold your breath - assume black for now)

Logo (monochrome - same as trim color):
- 1 small Lotus logo in corner a la OEM
- 1 large Lotus logo as they currently produce for the Esprit mats (these look quite good - not overbearing)
- 1 small Lotus logo and ELAN text (in OEM font if I can find it) beside it
- 1 small Lotus logo and M100 test beside it
- 1 small Lotus logo and some other text beside it (needs to be specified)
- some other logo/text design

Voice your preferences here.

by **tweetdriver63** » Mon 01.10.2007, 21:19

I would prefer door number 3, small logo, and Elan text. Just wondered, did you happen to ask if they could do the Cat on Skates for the logo?

by **Elanlover** » Mon 01.10.2007, 21:35

I haven't asked about the cat. They already have the Lotus logo on file so this would be easy. I'm not sure they would be willing to do multiple designs for one mat shape given the sales potential. Color options are possible as he's already asked what colors they should offer them in.

That being said, if enough people want the cat logo i will definitely see if I can convince them to offer it. That's why i need some feedback. I'd like to go to them with all the options on the table and ask "which one's are you wiling to make"? They've been pretty good to deal with to date so let's keep all the options on the table and see what they say. Would need the cat logo from someone of course.

by **tweetdriver63** » Mon 01.10.2007, 22:11

I'm not an expert, by any means, but the logos look to be embroidered. If so, that kind of work these days is normally done by a computer-controlled machine. If that's the case, for them it's really a simple matter to do different logos, as long as they have a good electronic version in whatever file format their machine requires. They should be able to go from one logo to another with the click of a mouse. If they have that kind of equipment, that is.

by **Elanlover** » Tue 02.10.2007, 01:43

Actuallt, the logo is not embroidered - go figure. The mat edges have a sewn edging to them but the logo is a "cut out", made of the same (or similar) material to the mat and is glued on the surface. It seems to work quite well. But, one would think they still have a logo "cutter" that can take an image then cut any logo. For example, their Elise mats don't have the Lotus logo, they have the Elise script.

So, as of now, I don't know how receptive they'll be to multiple logo versions. But, i'm going to find out :-D

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