Lotus Elan Central

by **Bolsom** » Thu 13.10.2005, 08:20

The NTC hardtop is very similar to the Lotus original, the gold coloured picture is of an actual NTC top. When I visited them about 3 years ago they fitted a silver one to my car to see how it looked. It fitted without
any problem. At that time they were having trouble getting seals which would ensure the top was waterproof. I think they still are - I last phoned about 3 months ago.
Now that several of you have been using Kuching's top for a while can you please let me know if it is totally waterproof?
Thanks
CB

by **Sy V** » Thu 13.10.2005, 08:26

You won't be surprised to hear that mine was out in the torrential rain at PM's yesterday (waiting for me to pick it up) - it's not waterproof.
But, this is entirely down to the window alignment being out (not enough inward cant in my case.

by **Don.Hasi** » Sun 27.11.2005, 13:59

I have edited the first post, so that there are only the newest information any time...

One new question:

The following is found in the gallery... seems to be the NTC one... could someone verify this?

by **Sy V** » Sun 27.11.2005, 14:10

I believe that is the NTC version...but it never came into production.

by **Don.Hasi** » Sun 27.11.2005, 14:17

Sy V wrote:I believe that is the NTC version...but it never came into production.

They told me an other story.... that they have sold some... and yes, as you have already said, there were problems with the seals...last info was, that they are developing better seals...

:shock:

but i have forgotten, that i have found a new one... with "heating lines" I think, its the NTC too. I have send them a mail too, but never get an answer...

by **Monty** » Sun 27.11.2005, 17:48

Don.Hasi wrote:I have edited the first post, so that there are only the newest information any time...

One new question:

The following is found in the gallery... seems to be the NTC one... could someone verify this?

and thats not Jetro`s Elan, he just decided to put his name on it and use it as his profile pic :lol:

by **Doug** » Sun 27.11.2005, 18:00

well if you must know, that yellow one is a Kia in Japan with a one-off top -- there were some other pictures of it to with more done to it later on . . .

by **Don.Hasi** » Sun 18.12.2005, 20:57

Doug wrote:well if you must know, that yellow one is a Kia in Japan with a one-off top -- there were some other pictures of it to with more done to it later on . . .

doug do you mean, that the Elan on the following picture is the same?

they have the same wheels...

by **Doug** » Mon 19.12.2005, 01:28

yes

by **Don.Hasi** » Tue 20.12.2005, 00:20

Doug wrote:yes

THX. Have already updated the first post :wink:

I know its not common sense

, but i like the version of ryo´s very much, cause it underlines the design of the original Elan with his Softtop and makes it dynamic in all viewing angels...

I know.... :roll:

PM is only source :wink:

by **M100 TWO** » Wed 21.12.2005, 10:47

It appears Paul Matty has pulled the plug on the hard tops because of the difficulties in getting them to fit

by **Sy V** » Wed 21.12.2005, 11:19

Yes I can confirm this. It's all down to the differences between cars. Some cars allow the tops to drop straight into place and others don't.

Paul is extremely concerned that his actions don't jeopardise the reputation of what he considers to be a great product, but he has had tops that have taken 9 man hours to fit - this is obviously not cost effective for him.

I believe he is now referring would-be purchasers back to Simon Carrier, but I can't comment on what Simon's intentions are, obviously.

by **ailwyn** » Wed 21.12.2005, 13:29

Sy V wrote:Yes I can confirm this. It's all down to the differences between cars. Some cars allow the tops to drop straight into place and others don't.

Paul is extremely concerned that his actions don't jeopardise the reputation of what he considers to be a great product, but he has had tops that have taken 9 man hours to fit - this is obviously not cost effective for him.

This might explain why despite trying very hard I could not manage to get PM to sell me a hard-top.

Does anyone know why there is the inconsistency (se/s2 difference or random) as I would have assumed (probably incorrectly) that the hood storage lid and windscreen top would be the same through the range. That said I understand the A-post seals were changed during the production life of the elan which then prompts the question as to what else is different?

Ailwyn

by **Sy V** » Thu 22.12.2005, 00:35

Hand made cars - unfortunate increase in resultant measurements/tolerance when it comes to dimensions.

by **Kuching** » Mon 02.01.2006, 12:30

Sy V wrote:Yes I can confirm this. It's all down to the differences between cars. Some cars allow the tops to drop straight into place and others don't.

Paul is extremely concerned that his actions don't jeopardise the reputation of what he considers to be a great product, but he has had tops that have taken 9 man hours to fit - this is obviously not cost effective for him.

I believe he is now referring would-be purchasers back to Simon Carrier, but I can't comment on what Simon's intentions are, obviously.

Sy's summary is pretty much spot on. There have been a some cars which have taken a lot of time and effort to fit and this is simply not commercially viable. However, I am willing to continue supplying hardtops directly. Maybe the best approach would be to visit me in Cumbria for a trial fitting before making any commitment.

Please send me an IM if you are interested.

by **F1 LOTUS** » Mon 02.01.2006, 18:40

This is good news, I'd hate see all your hard work go to waste :clap:

The Elan is made from a lot of hand trimmed and finished parts and the resultant tolerance stack-up I guess leads to quite a variation between cars, so when you try to fit a rigid precision-made part you have to expect it could take some time

Good luck with this

by **M100 TWO** » Tue 03.01.2006, 18:55

Kuching mag. article said that a heated rear screen was on the cards in the near future is this so?

John

by **Kuching** » Wed 04.01.2006, 22:49

This is news to me :shock:

What magazine article was this

by **M100 TWO** » Thu 05.01.2006, 15:42

I think it was Practical Classic Dec issue

by **Sy V** » Sat 14.01.2006, 06:43

I know PM was looking into a heated rear screen option.

Anyway, I can reassure people that Simon (Kuching) has lost none of his verve for this project. He called in on his way home from the NEC show yesterday and fitted my new side seals.

Wow! Are these beautiful or what! They now come as a pre-fabbed GRP insert that fits perfectly into the door aperture recess and act as a rain/water channel with the door window seal firmly attached to the GRP insert.

Magnificent piece of engineering ingenuity from the maestro!

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