Enclosed rear number plate cover

[m100sandra]

I fancy putting the enclosed rear number plate panel on my Elan, but just wondering if i have everything I think i have the complete panel? and a pressed No plate so hopefully no warping of a Perspex plate, So without having the original one removed yet ime thinking is there something missing on this set-up at the back for the no plate to stick to?
Just thought it best to ask in advance before i get the standard one removed

[theelanman]

you should have a black box with lights in the sides as part of the car....
this has shaped vertical edges which follow the line of he rear lights
the cover plate fits to this.....
the number plate fit to the vertical face of the recessed black box.....

I think that's what you mean


as far as fixing the cover goes...it appears someone has drilled yours for screwing on....most were on a rubber/foam gasket which rotted and fell off......or for a fix which takes a lot of shifting (unless you get a very sunny day)...sikaflex it.....

as for fixing the number plate......my original plate was fixed using std numberplate screws into the metal body
since replacing the plates on mine I have used sikaflex......

[m100sandra]

Mine currently as the plastic recessed number plate plinth at the mo, the idea is to fit the early eclosed cover (I think it looks nicer) Black box with No plate lights i am missing this part

[Dave Eds]

Will it be legal?

How old is your car?

[theelanman]

Mine currently as the plastic recessed number plate plinth at the mo, the idea is to fit the early eclosed cover (I think it looks nicer) Black box with No plate lights i am missing this part

not sure about the back plate as Ive never taken mine apart.....
you seem to have the metal frame so I guess the backing could be just the body of the car......
not sure about the lights but theyre on the same location on both cars.....just behind the screen and frame on the early version and in the plastic on the later....

[theelanman]

looks like you have it all......

just cant see anything different with the lights

[Rambo]

Will it be legal?

How old is your car?

My thoughts as well Dave. I don't think they were legal on a J plate When was your car manufactured and 1st taxed Sandra ?

[theelanman]

I don't think they were ever made illegal.....
if they were then those with them would have to change them and lotus would have had to recall.....
they were revised as people used to get pulled by plod as they'd steamed up and you couldn't see the plate

[theelanman]

IIRC.....they were never 'gatso' covers either......

[rip]

I don't think they were ever made illegal.....

I suspect you are correct about that.

if they were then those with them would have to change them and lotus would have had to recall.....

But I don't think you are about that.

Seat belts are compulsory...but not on cars which were never built with them.
Same for rear seat belts. These became compulsory in the 80's. Even though the mounting points for them were included in earlier cars, they do not need to be fitted.
Sequential horns were made illegal in 1972, but cars built before can use them legally.
Cars which had catalytic converters fitted when new must have them for the MOT, but those which never had them do not need them retro-fitted.

Sandra: why do you want the older style covers? If you have read that they are gatso-proof then think again. I got zapped through one.
They steam up very badly & it is technically illegal to drive with them like this. It is also illegal to drive with plates so dirty you cannot read them but I see loads of cars like that in the winter.
The humidity & heat causes plastic plates to ripple after a couple of years & they look terrible like that.

[m100sandra]

[quote

Sandra: why do you want the older style covers? If you have read that they are gatso-proof then think again. I got zapped through one.
They steam up very badly & it is technically illegal to drive with them like this. It is also illegal to drive with plates so dirty you cannot read them but I see loads of cars like that in the winter.
The humidity & heat causes plastic plates to ripple after a couple of years & they look terrible like that.[/quote]

I just like the look of them against the later plastic cover and they are different against the norm, more exotic , Looking at some of the older posts, I have bought a pressed aluminium plate which will hopefully be OK, the steaming up as me a little worried Any recommended fixes for this
Ill be hanging onto the original one though so I can always revert back.......

[Dave Eds]

Yeah get a greenhouse heater!

[dapinky]

Sandra,

There are 2 schools of thought on the steaming-up issue.....

...some drill a small hole at the base of the unit so water can escape....

...others seal it up well, so no water can get in.

I sealed mine up with silicone on all joints and screw holes - it was fine for 3 years then slowly allowed some moisture in.

I will remove the perspex cover (on a dry/non-humid day) and re-seal it - once we get a dry day

[Rambo]

Personally, I think the lines of the car look nicer with the perspex cover. In the later models without it, it looks very much like Lotus forgot something

And if it makes it a bit harder for the scamera's or Plod to read the no. plate when you're giving it ....................

[Enright]

I always wondered about the idea of a button on the dash operating a CO2 fire extinguisher in the boot - purely for emergencies you understand. Oops, have I posted in the wrong section? Silly me...

[dapinky]

.... or just leave a bit of a chamois hanging out of the boot (purely to dry it off, of course)......

[stu123carp]

Hi
Did you ever fit it? If not I would be interested in buying the Perspex cover as I've just broke mine
Regards Stu.