KIA ELAN REAR LIGHT ASSEMBLY

[DeeAitch]

Agree, the Kia Elan is rare even in Korea, I didn't see one either and they were current at that time. Picked up a brochure and price list tho' the dealer hadn't seen one either! <br>Was hoping Kia might have huge stocks at give away prices ::)<br>Eternal optimist?

[KevH]

Sy<br>Have you been quoted a price for the Kia rear light assemblies. <br>I am trying to get my contact in Korea to supply 5 sets but he is reluctant to do this. He will get me one set but we are discussing payment methods, import duties etc at the moment. I still think it will be much cheaper than buying one original though to replace my cracked nearside reflecter.<br>Kev

[Richard_A_Clifton]

Kev, Sy, anybody else.<br><br>When you have changed your Lotuses into Kia Elans, can I have all the original Lotus bits?  You never know when they'll come in handy.<br>

[Sy V]

Richard<br><br>No.<br><br> ;D<br><br>Kev<br><br>I don't hold out much hope of being succesful so I'd press on alone if I were you.<br><br>Sy

[KevH]

Richard<br><br>Ok I know what you mean and I agree in part with keeping the Lotus as original as possible, on the exterior anyway.<br>But I ain't paying nobody £270.00 +vat for a rear light unit that does not fit correctly and looks like an afterthought. <br>I am convinced that the Lotus designers search the car manufactureres of this earth for obsolete and obscure parts just to keep their prices down and bugger what they look like. Take the Esprit 1 and 2 rear lights for example, from a Rover, sat in a crappy plastic housing which did not in any way disguise what they actually were.<br>I think the Elan is one of the most aesthetically pleasing cars ever made except for the rear elevation. As I need a new rear light I intend to put this right with the purpose built units from the Kia.<br>Sorry Richard but that how its gotta be.<br>Kev

[Richard_A_Clifton]

As far as I am concerned, when it comes to a Lotus, some things are sacred:  Chassis, suspension, styling and to a lesser extent, engine.  You start substantially changing any of those and you only have a Bitsa.<br>It's great that Dave M, Philbo and one or two others enjoy exploring the farther (further?/far?) reaches of engine and suspension modifcations but some of the other things people do, intend to do or suggest, just make me cringe!<br>

[chrisP]

Richard its a bit of a bitsa already<br>Isuzu engine<br>GM switch gear, speedo, brakes, master cylinder, water header tank,<br>Renault lights<br>Tickford roof<br>Austin airfilter, side indicators.<br><br>Plus there is probably loads of other stuff I forgot. really don't see a problem with replacing a bodge job of a rear light with something that has actually been thought out and manufactured for the purpose. its up to the individual<br>

[Richard_A_Clifton]

Up to the individual it certainly is.  I presume you followed the Riceboy link?<br><br>You can describe ANY Lotus that way if you want to.<br><br>Lotus Elan S3<br>Triumph suspension & steering parts<br>Ford based engine<br>Hillman Imp door pulls<br>Austin Cambridge ash tray<br>Vauxhall Victor FB rear lights<br>Smiths instruments<br>Michelin tyres<br>Ford gearbox, propshaft & diff<br>... I could go on<br><br>I will ....<br>Lotus Europa:<br>Renault Engine<br>E-Type rear lights<br>Ford Anglia bumpers<br>Renault gearbox<br>Triumph Steering and suspension<br>etc.<br><br>Lotus Seven:<br>Ford engine<br>Austin engine<br>Ford back axle<br>etc.<br><br>Lotus Elite<br>Coventry Climax Engine<br>ZF gearbox<br>etc.<br><br>You seem to be missing the point Chris.  As the car comes out of the factory, it is a Lotus, that's what makes it a Lotus.  Once you start customising it, you've lost something.<br>I imagine you are not the slightest bit interested in Lotus's heritage but by wanting a Lotus in the first place you are using that heritage in your decision making.  <br>Were you attracted to an Elan because it is the best handling front wheel drive car yet made, because of the styling or because it was a Lotus?  If it was simply the former then fair enough.  If it was either or both of the latter two then ..... ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

[Sy V]

I've heard from my contact and there is a possibility of an (as yet) unspecified number of these units being procured from Hyundai.<br>This number will be largely dependant upon demand and Hyundai's willingness to release what might well be (what they consider) too small a number.<br>I wonder how many UK-based owners would be genuinely interested?

[Richard_A_Clifton]

Me too!

[Scott J]

Richard,<br><br>Couldn't agree more.    This isn't MaxPower. Each to his own  though.<br><br> Hope I don't need these lights though, as painting myself into a corner and will get abused from Sy.

[KevH]

[quote author=Richard link=board=xref;num=1074683016;start=60#67 date=02/24/04 at 06:06:43]Were you attracted to an Elan because it is the best handling front wheel drive car yet made, because of the styling or because it was a Lotus?  If it was simply the former then fair enough.  If it was either or both of the latter two then ..... ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?[/quote]<br><br>Richard<br>For me its all the above, but primarily because its a Lotus. Despite all the niggles, expense of repairs, difficulty in obtaining parts etc etc its still the best thing on 4 wheels I've ever owned or ever driven for that matter.<br>Part of the pleasure of owning this car is the challenge of keeping it running and looking good.<br>Its my own opinion, but I believe that if Lotus had the time and any money left they would have designed a set of rear lights that are in keeping with the rest of the car.<br>If the standard light unit was even close to looking good I would fit a new one, but as it isn't and as its an extortionate amount of money for something I don't like.<br>Like I said, my opinion only.<br>Kev

[chrisP]

Richard I have wanted to own a Lotus, since before I can remember. heritage was reasonably important living a stones throw from the original factory, that adds to it as well. Im not missing the point at all, look at most of the signatures on this site and pretty much everyone has made some changes to suit themselves. I have no problem with you keeping your collection of Loti in factory condition. So really don't see what is wrong with others changing their car. If the elan hadn't nearly destroyed lotus I'm sure that they would have continued to develop the Elan, see M200 concept. and that some of the minor flaws we have to put up with now would have been ironed out.

[lotusphil]

Richard,<br><br>WillB is trying to tempt me with his clear side repeaters, am I allowed to fit them or would this be considered a sin....... ???

[Sy V]

"Hope I don't need these lights though, as painting myself into a corner and will get abused from Sy."<br><br>Not at all Scott!<br><br>It's a personal thing.  I'm interested in them, others aren't.  No skin off my nose either way.  <br><br>Wanting (what I consider to be) an improvement to the aesthetics of my Lotus is my prerogative and nobody else's.  <br>Doesn't stop (or lessen) my life-long love of the Lotus marque either.

[WillB]

<br>Phil, did you get them in the post then?<br><br>They do look good, much better than the orange ones and don't look like a modification! <br><br>

[lotusphil]

Left home before the post arrived, I'll let you know later  ;)

[Avonvilla]

Will got mine today thanks.

[Mike Y]

Ooops!<br><br>I only read this topic today 10/03/04.<br><br>I had designed some months ago a full fitting rear panel incorporating design ques from the 2003 Esprit rear end and using Esprit circular rear lights with also a shaped area to mount the number plate also iradicating the need for the add on lip above the original rear light.<br><br>I then broke the design down to just in fill panels for either side to fit the Esprit rear lights I am having a pair made to my drawings. I did not realise what a hat potato this area is.<br><br>I have also designed a new rear spoiler  slightly raised and angled which I am toying with as we speak.<br>I am establishing contacts with local mould and fibreglass specialists to try some ideas out. If things go well I am going to try and get a front bumper resembling the M200 concept car fabricated. <br><br>If enough interest in the above ideas I could get more made.<br><br>Richard, I like the original in all respects and I will keep my original parts and convert back if the fancy takes me.<br>Its just a bit of fun to try and see how the car could have turned out with further developement from Lotus.<br>All the parts I am looking at making will replace the originals without modification.<br><br>What do you all think a car with all the above parts on and engine and brake upgrade could have been called the Lotus Elan Sprint.<br><br>Regards Mike ;D<br>