wind deflector and crash bars

[kevin31157]

Hi everyone again.
Can anyone please tell me where i can obtain a wind deflector? I`m not sure if my elan was fitted with one by the previous owner over 9 years ago as i notice on the back of both seats at the top there are three little holes on the outside corners of the headrest part which look as though something was screwed to each seat, but i`m not sure what it may have been. Possibly too high for a wind deflector. However, i would like to source one for my car. Also do you have to fit it to the crash bars that go behind the seats? Mine hasnt got these fitted but its another option i am considering fitting if i can obtain those also. Anybody that has them fitted could you tell me if they fit to the bodywork behind the seats and where i might obtain those too.?
Many thanks
KEvin

[Rambo]

The roll bars/hoops ie LotusGirlMarie or Kuching (Simon Carrier) ones are rare as hen's teeth

Not many were produced in the first place and what were are still fitted to owners cars and unlikely to be removed. You may occasionally see a set on EBay but this is very rare and they will go for a premium price

Good luck with your search

[Saltire]

I bought my wind deflector from Amazon.it was a "Deal of the Day" when I had mine, so it cost rather less than the currently advertised price

As Rambo says, the (post) roll bars were custom built and I've never seen a set for sale.

[Rambo]

Wind deflector info...

viewtopic.php?f=21&t=25655&p=324688&hilit=Wind+deflector#p324688

[maz_r]

Are the 3 little holes where the seat protector brackets went to stop the seat rubbing on the hood/b post hinges? Sounds like someone has removed them.

Sure there's a picture round here somewhere.....

[Brit-Car-Nut]

Here is a picture of a seat.

lotus-elan-m100-elan-se-S2938488-3.jpg

This is a carbon fiber replacement protector that is available from Wayne: http://www.elanm100.com/web-shop

20140805_003314-1.jpg

[kevin31157]

Yes you are probably right about the seat protectors. I hadnt ever seen any or heard of them before i noticed the holes on the seat corners and now i see what y ou mean with the photo of them on the seat, its probably what they were for. Not sure now whether to buy some or not and cover the tiny holes to hide them. I cant ever recall my seats ever touching the hood. Do many elan owners use them anymore? or is it more of a cosmetic thing today?

[kevin31157]

Thanks for the replies regarding the loop posts and wind defelctors. I see what you mean about the price of the wind reflector. Think i would rather buy one of those as opposed to the loop posts. I read somewhere on here recently that the loop bars are more of a show piece as opposed to any benefits gained for crash protection. However i have noticed a couple of elan owners using them to fix their wind deflectors to. Puts me in a quandry now as to figuring on h ow to fit a wind deflector without the loop bars.

[Saltire]

Kevin

The deflector I linked to fits onto existing fixings in the rear wall, and comes with the necessary screw knobs. Undo two scrivets, pop the brackets on and screw the deflector into the brackets. 10 minute job, and reasily removable if you fancy a blow one day. Actually, I usually take mine off in the winter as it does restrict rearward visibility a bit.

I'm 200 miles away from the car at present or I'd send some photos

[Rambo]

I read somewhere on here recently that the loop bars are more of a show piece as opposed to any benefits gained for crash protection

Can you shown me the proof of that?

You're much better off with structural roll protection than without.

[Steve A]

I read somewhere on here recently that the loop bars are more of a show piece as opposed to any benefits gained for crash protection

Can you shown me that proof ? You're much better off with structural roll protection than without

Both types of "hoops/bars" sold on this forum were designed to a very high standard, I don't have either but wish they were still available

[Rambo]

:agree:

I read somewhere on here recently that the loop bars are more of a show piece as opposed to any benefits gained for crash protection

Can you shown me that proof ? You're much better off with structural roll protection than without

Both types of "hoops/bars" sold on this forum were designed to a very high standard, I don't have either but wish they were still available

I totally agree Steve. I certainly feel safer with the Kuching hoops on my NMY than without and I am 100% sure that Simon designed them with safety in mind rather than just to look good. Although they do look damn good too

PS Incidentally Simon is the chief designer of the new Toyota Yaris World Rally Car. It finished second on its WRC debut a few months ago and has now gone one better by winning Rally Sweden.

Simon still has an M100, albeit pranged by his sister , and, I for one, hope he comes back to LEC with some more great designs (for those that don't know Simon, he also designed the brilliant SPC hardtop )

[Giniw]

(Still, one question remains: by how much is the Elan faster than that Yaris?)

[Rambo]

11.5 -15 seconds in its bog standard form. so very slow. Our M100 is twice as fast.

However, Simons Toyota derivation will be twice as quick again

[Giniw]

(Actually I was asking about who much the Elan is faster than the Simon's version — if it's as fast it might well be an Elan in disguise!)

[rip]

I read somewhere on here recently that the loop bars are more of a show piece as opposed to any benefits gained for crash protection

You're much better off with structural roll protection than without.

I think you may have read that neither type were approved for race use. That is different to offering no protection.

Cosmetic hoops would just attach to the tub. I have seen shiny cosmetic hoops for an MX5 for sale & I have also seen a burned out KA, where the hoops attach to the top of a rather flimsy looking vertical rear panel.
Both types made for the Elan have been designed for strength & attach directly to the chassis.

[markv]

:agree:

I read somewhere on here recently that the loop bars are more of a show piece as opposed to any benefits gained for crash protection

Both types of "hoops/bars" sold on this forum were designed to a very high standard, I don't have either but wish they were still available

I totally agree Steve. I certainly feel safer with the Kuching hoops on my NMY than without and I am 100% sure that Simon designed them with safety in mind rather than just to look good. Although they do look damn good too

PS Incidentally Simon is the chief designer of the new Toyota Yaris World Rally Car. It finished second on its WRC debut a few months ago and has now gone one better by winning Rally Sweden.

Simon still has an M100, albeit pranged by his sister , and, I for one, hope he comes back to LEC with some more great designs (for those that don't know Simon, he also designed the brilliant SPC hardtop )

Likewise, I have the Kuching rollbars - a very solid piece of kit bolted to the chassis at multiple points. Installed by Kuching in his own workshop. Very happy with them.

[kevin31157]

Thanks Saltire, i will look for those fitting holes in the car and then source a deflector. Brilliant.

[tb10]

(Actually I was asking about who much the Elan is faster than the Simon's version — if it's as fast it might well be an Elan in disguise!)