carpet fitting

[kevin31157]

Hi chaps. could anyone who has restored or just generally revamped their interior please tell me if it is relatively easy to remove the old carpets from the elan and replace with either new or cleaned original one i have in. I would ideally like to replace the whole interior carpet right through and up to the back panelling behind the seats and assume it is a one piece carpet throughout. If i need to replace with a new one does anyone also know the cost of these please. If too expensive i could steam clean and re dye i suppose. But my main question is the ease of getting out and putting back in and IF one piece. Many thanks - kevin

[dapinky]

Hi Kevin,

The carpets come in a variety of bits -

Mainly, the drivers side 'tub', the passenger side 'tub', seperate piece along the bulkhead, map pocket is another piece, 2 door trims, 2 speaker boxes, and 2 'B' post panels.

The footwell tubs are moulded to shape, as are the 'B' post covers, the others can be re-made from any flat carpet quite easily.

The 'B' post covers can be done from flat carpet, if it has a man-made backing, just by gently heating with a hairdrier/hot air gun and pressing into place - use spray adhesive as you go.

The bulkhead carpet will be stuck on with glue, but it may be possible to remove it carefully.

The main carpets are basically just dropped into the car and a bit of glue round the edges.

When i changed mine, i didn't have to be too carefull as i had new bits, and made the rest up from a piece of matching carpet which i got from Woolies Trims.

The main carpets are quite hard to find, as Lotus sold off their stock a few years ago, and i know they sold out, 'cos i bought the lot! (might still be a few bits and bobs around, but probably not whole sets - unless someone has them in stock, whereupon the list price was £175 per side, plus the smaller bits).

To take out the main carpets it is fairly easy - remove the seats, then carefully pull the carpet away from under the centre console, and along the sills (they are just tucked under the sill covers and centre console) where they are glued to the underfelt.

They may clean up well, and i know others on here have had carpet sets made up by trimmers with a good result.

[kevin31157]

Thats excellent, when the finer weather finally gets here, i will strip it out and buy a large piece of carpet from a carpet fitter friend of mine and do the whole interior with the same bit and colour. Ok thanks very much for your help.
kevin