Lotus Elan Central

by **Elanlover** » Tue 04.03.2008, 19:32

I just stopped by the shop to talk with the guys who will be doing the work. I think I may have picked the right guys. They were in the middle of some work for Alpine converting a Hummer over to an "Alpine Project Vehicle". I got to see how they are making the pieces, etc. Pretty impressive. They have stripped the Hummer down to nothing inside and are doing the interior entirely custom. I'm going to a show in a few weeks (just before my car goes in on March 19th) where I'll be able to see some of their finished work. I'll take a few pics and post them and will also take some pics of the work in progress when they start.

I have to say that at the price of this project, I think I should have been put in the "Major" projects section

by **Candles** » Wed 12.03.2008, 22:32

So are they going to make it, how do you say in America, BLING?

by **Elanlover** » Thu 13.03.2008, 00:38

Not to bling-y. I expect a few subtle chrome accents, a semi-gloss or velvet finish (not high gloss), dark colour (black or grey), some subtle contouring and shaping and just the repositioning and/or replacement of the gauges and new switches.

I'm going to the performance and custom show this weekend where they are exhibiting their work. I'll take some pics so people can see their stuff. And, I'll post pics as the work on my fascia progresses. I take the car in on the 19th.

by **GeoffSmith** » Fri 14.03.2008, 17:45

Well that's sorted the 25 N/A clocks out......

by **Elanlover** » Fri 14.03.2008, 18:14

Can you imagine trying to keep them all on the same time! :shock:

"What's the Oil Pressure?"
--- "Three thrity"

"Uh uh. And the Water temp?"
--- "Three thrity"

Hmmm.........and the Volts?
-- "Mate, its ALL 3:30"

by **GeoffSmith** » Sat 15.03.2008, 16:40

I've got the parts through, so there's a switch and display ready to send over. The quickest way appears to be Airsure which should mean it will be with you in about 4 working days. Once we hear about the clock, you can make a decision.

by **GeoffSmith** » Mon 17.03.2008, 23:23

Given the delay in getting the clock, I've been busy.........

by **GeoffSmith** » Mon 17.03.2008, 23:45

by **GeoffSmith** » Mon 17.03.2008, 23:47

Also on YouTube.

by **Elanlover** » Tue 18.03.2008, 01:16

Geoff, that's brilliant! This will look fantastic in the car. I never though to ask and please don't take this the wrong way but...............do i need to order the actual switcher and chip/board from Alan or did you somehow take care of this already? Its just that seeing it "work" (the LED's at least) reminded me that I didn't order anything from him yet. And, please don't think I'm being cheecky but, do you think I'll have any issues with the LED display with it being soldered to the board as opposed to having some wires inbetween? I'll go with whatever you think is best and works easiest for you.

I can do that now and maybe have him send it all to you if that's easiest? Not sure if you created a "plug and play" device for me or if you need to have the kit there to hook it all up. Whatever you need just let me know. Many thanks again! :bowdown:

by **Doug** » Tue 18.03.2008, 08:30

just what is that cheecky display for?

maybe you can modify it to a Kitt/Knight Rider moving eye . . . :wink:

by **Elanlover** » Tue 18.03.2008, 13:31

Doug wrote:just what is that cheecky display for?

maybe you can modify it to a Kitt/Knight Rider moving eye . . .

HA! That was good for a morning chuckle! Could be more like a
Cylon eye if I got one of those old Cylon helmets (from the original
Battlestar Galactica) and mounted it to the hood/bonnet!

Actually, its for the V5 switcher. Geoff's doing a remote switcher and
display to show which setting you've selected.

by **Doug** » Tue 18.03.2008, 20:51

what?! you guys need to drive more!!

just set it at full and hit the pedal on the right! :burnout:

by **GeoffSmith** » Thu 20.03.2008, 20:13

Your parcel is on its way Blair. I had a thought this afternoon - it might be good to have the display dim when your lights are on. What do you think? If you do I'll have a think about it and you will have to leave provision for hooking in a sidelight supply feed, maybe from the digital clock that you're not using?

Oh and I received a parcel from Oz today. :smt023

My son has run off with it. :evil:

by **Elanlover** » Fri 21.03.2008, 16:34

Hi Geoff, I was thinking about the same thing just yesterday. Based on
your video, the LED's look quite bright. Great in the day but probably
blinding at night. If that's something you can make work that'd be great.

by **Elanlover** » Thu 17.04.2008, 00:15

Ok, the fascia project was delayed a bit due to the various parts I ordered for it not arriving in time.
The Kenwood 8120 still isn't available yet but given its a standard double-din
system they can work around that. However, the other little project that they were doing has progressed
and they've done a nice job so far. This is the removal of the black box 3rd brake light in place of the
sequencing #L58B-SEQ integrated one I chose. Here's a few pics.

by **Candles** » Thu 17.04.2008, 11:25

Nice, and nice shoes. :-D

by **ailwyn** » Thu 17.04.2008, 11:55

Can't be arsed at the moment to read back through the thread, but why are you making a new switcher and not just using the one Alan supplies?

by **Elanlover** » Thu 17.04.2008, 13:14

Only because I've had a custom dial face made for it by Metal Monkey as there won't be any blank
switch openings when they are done - so I need somewhere to put a switcher. Since the switcher
will be somewhat "hidden" (so anyone who drives the car won't necessarily know its there
without having a good look) I wanted some kind of remote indicator to tell me which program I'd selected.

by **Elanlover** » Wed 30.04.2008, 01:53

Okie Dokie, we are making progress as the series of pics below will
attest. I bought a used fascia mask sometime ago for this project and
they are using that as the base then building up the mask to accomodate
all the various switch and gauge moves along with the new stuff.

Lotus Elan Central

Fascia Panel Project

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