Aluminum Door Pulls and Handles - Who's Interested

[F1 LOTUS]

This is really good work.

I'm sure plenty of people will want these. I personally would keep the design stock, and carbon fibre both the escutcheon and door pull. Then nice polished aluminum release levers. But that's just me.

Nice work.

There's no reason why the escutcheon / door pull couldn't be a 1-piece cover - perhaps this would boost interest in the 'Carbon fibre escutcheon' project? Potentially more bang for your buck too?...

http://lotuselancentral.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=12021&start=80

[Nige]

That would be a very neat way to do it, as well as looking very good.

[Elanlover]

I'll offer up an aopinion on the other side then. Can't say I like the idea of that much CF and I don't think I'd like the look (that's just me of course). Yes, a one piece part is an interesting idea if it could be done. Someone would have to have a real good look at it though as I didn't think the pieces were that close together.

But, since we're throwing out idea, how would an all aluminum, one-piece pull/escutcheon look? Could you paint the aluminum with something durable to get a custom color?

[rip]

Could you paint the aluminum with something durable to get a custom color?

Anodizing. I know little about the process other than it is a sort of sort of metal dyeing process. Maybe someone on here knows a bit more about it?

[nitroman]

This is really good work.

I'm sure plenty of people will want these. I personally would keep the design stock, and carbon fibre both the escutcheon and door pull. Then nice polished aluminum release levers. But that's just me.

Nice work.

There's no reason why the escutcheon / door pull couldn't be a 1-piece cover - perhaps this would boost interest in the 'Carbon fibre escutcheon' project? Potentially more bang for your buck too?...

I like the aluminium. The Elan's interior is drab & monotone, and would be greatly enhanced with some real brightwork (solid shiny metal).

Audi "styled" the TT's interior using that approach.

[Doug]

you could always paint CF to look how you like -- at least it is light weight

Al is light too -- I like Brian's Al door pull design, but I'd change the angles of the cutout to better parallel the surrounding area. But I ain't got no Elan to put them in I like the feel of solid metal on the door pulls from experience in other cars, you could even put finger ridges on the rear side for some custom feel when you pull it . . .

[Elanlover]

A thought just occurred to me regarding the conecpet of a one-piece pull/escutcheon part. But, I should preface my comment by saying that I'm not in favor of the idea to begin with and yet don't want to seem negative about it for the sake of others who like the concept.

The pull mounts to the door by 2 screws from the back - the inside of the door panel. The escutcheon by 1 screw into the front of the door panel. Would this arrangement make it difficult to install/remove the part? I find the escutcheon hard enough to get off on its own sometimes. Having to wiggle the door handle, etc. to remove it. Can you imagine what it'd be like trying to remove the it if it was attached to the entire door panel? I'd be afraid of damage to the CF part (scratching the finish, etc.) when removing/installing it. When the "pull" portion of the part is screwed into the back of the door, would the escutcheon screw hole then line up perfectly every time? You'd have to remove the door panel if you only wanted to get at the handle or behind the escutcheon.

Now, perhaps Brian can work his magic to make all these possible issues moot but, I can't help but wonder if there was a reason why Lotus did it this way...........

[theelanman]

personally I prefer the CF escutchion and the alu door pull.....
b;ack carbon bits and shiney metal bits

[nitroman]

As to aboved 2 posts, I'll add... consider that some people want only the 'pull' & not the escutchion.

I like Brian's Al door pull design, but I'd change the angles of the cutout to better parallel the surrounding area.

Ditto. I liked what I thought were oval cutouts on the original picture.

[Gee0]

OK go on then

I like the first detailing(cut outs) on both the handle and pull, mostly the pull the handle needs refining IMHO

1. Elanlover
2. theelanman
3. Matt RI
4. Drasicjazz
5. LGM (depends on design and cost)
6. Paul.P
7. Sy
8. Router
9. Redvette6327
10. rip
11. Ekapol (depends on design and cost)
12. Ailwyn
13. Ailwyn (2nd set dependant on cost)
14. John Price (dependent on cost)
15. Nitro (design posted on prior page by F1Lotus)
16. Gee0 (depending on costs and design)

[F1 LOTUS]

The details are pretty crude at this stage as I really need to get hold of some parts to find out how complex the machining task might be? Once I know this I can get cost estimates that will indicate if this project is feasible or not Until then it's not worth spending too much time dicking with styling, although the feedback is welcome for when (hopefully) we pull the trigger on this

[Elanlover]

Brian, can't remember if I PM'd you or not but you should have a pull and handle delivered sometime next week.

[F1 LOTUS]

You mentioned that you may have a source - glad that it worked out and parts are on their way - well played young man!

[paulwatkins]

Brian,
could these be done with a more subtle finish applied to them? Something like a brushed effect finish?

I'm not too keen on super shiny bling in the cabin area. Its a bit too Halfords Ripspeed for my liking.

Each to their own of course

[F1 LOTUS]

Brian,
could these be done with a more subtle finish applied to them? Something like a brushed effect finish?

I'm not too keen on super shiny bling in the cabin area. Its a bit too Halfords Ripspeed for my liking.

Each to their own of course

Easy! Just take a Scotchbrite pad to aluminum for a brushed-satin finish

[paulwatkins]

In that case, I'll add myself to the list.

1. Elanlover
2. theelanman
3. Matt RI
4. Drasicjazz
5. LGM (depends on design and cost)
6. Paul.P
7. Sy
8. Router
9. Redvette6327
10. rip
11. Ekapol (depends on design and cost)
12. Ailwyn
13. Ailwyn (2nd set dependant on cost)
14. John Price (dependent on cost)
15. Nitro (design posted on prior page by F1Lotus)
16. Gee0 (depending on costs and design)
17. paulwatkins

[JETRO]

CAN I STILL GET A SET? IF SO INCLUDE ME PLZ!

[F1 LOTUS]

CAN I STILL GET A SET? IF SO INCLUDE ME PLZ!

Sure!
We're still at the 'who's interested?' stage, detail design and costing I would hope to begin next week some time

[F1 LOTUS]

I've refined the models and had them out for quote, both as a simple 'plain' design and, as a bells and whistles light-weighted version
There's approximately $15 more machining per handle for the fancy version.
Costs - right now the 'fancy' version would be $130 each, the 'plain' $115 each. There are a few tweaks I can do that could get the costs down a bit, also sticking my neck out and getting 20 car-sets made will improve costs.

Given that this is the cost 'ballpark', now's the time to indicate if you're still interested?
The thumbnails below link to 3D PDF models that anyone with Acrobat 7.0 (or later) can open then spin, pan or zoom until your heart
s content or, something good comes on the TV
Have fun, let us know!

[Elanlover]

Brian, I'm "IN" and am also interested in matching door "handles" to go with the "pulls" displayed above.

1. Elanlover
2.