Lotus Elise tail light conversion (fed spec)

[Darren]

Looks brilliant. I like the way the curve of the black against white compliments the circle of the lights themselves. Neat panel gap too.

Darren.

[F1 LOTUS]

Looking good!
It's amazing how badly the 'eyebrows' mess-up the lines, you did right to pluck them
I think I prefer your 'original' (mainly white) paint scheme over this one? Perhaps a slightly angled line from the bottom corner of the lightpod heading at an angle towards the rear wing support rather than a radius concentric with the light
like this OO\____/OO versus OO)____(OO



Great work though

[Monty]

Marie,

Looking dam good, what about keeping it colour coded and the number plate plinth too

[Doc Fizzix]

Really nice! I love it!

Question for discussion: The line between the old light and the body still jumps out, how about doing some major body work to remove the division between tail light and the side panel? In other words, make the tail light part of the body panel to remove any joint between the two?

[Doc Fizzix]

Really nice! I love it!

Question for discussion: The line between the old light and the body still jumps out, how about doing some major body work to remove the division between tail light and the side panel? In other words, make the tail light part of the body panel to remove any joint between the two?

[algirdas]

Dear Al:

I was looking at that earlier today. I'm wondering if it may not be possible to fool the eye by having the matte black paint start from the bottom of the outboard light and continue up toward that sharp little corner of the rear fender. Just an idea.

Sincerely,

Algirdas

[DeeAitch]

Marie, it looks great but - only my honest opinion - masking like this only works if it is up to a styling line moulded into the panel
Otherwise how would it look all in Black?

[lotusgirlmarie]

Styling line to come soon. This was just a test to see if the colour scheme worked. after spending some time up in Marin at SF Ferrari today I looked at how the 355 spyder and 360 Spyder's rearvalence sits and figured out how I"m going to be doing the final versoin of the light pod. In the mean time I still need to finish the other side. Then I can do the swage line for both

[desmondsee]

just to add to the fun, this is probably a chance for those considering a switch, the latest Elise lights with LED...(me too late)...

[Elanlover]

just to add to the fun, this is probably a chance for those considering a switch, the latest Elise lights with LED...(me too late)...

This site has some LED versions midway down the page.

http://www.moto-build.com/mainsite/lotuselise.html

A little pricey but they look nice.

[EDIT] Apparently, this place sells them too for less but I can't find them on their website anywhere

Here's a pic of them:

[Elanlover]

Hmmm........saw this in another post here which I like. Pics are at the bottom of the post.

http://www.lotuselancentral.com/forum/v ... php?t=8134

If someone wanted to get really creative with this one-piece concept, imagine what it would look like with a few of the accents shown in the Elise pic above (little vents by the lights for example). Or, with a slight convex or concave "buldge"?????

[Rogerf]

Marie,
I would also be interested in the uk version as and when anymore developments are made!

Cheers
Roger

[Elanlover]

Did a bit more research into the new LED rear lights for the 2006 Elise/Exige for those who are interested. First, it seems they fit the exact same size, shape and mounting holes as the incandescant versions. There appear to be 2 options to pusue if you want them.

An aftermarket version costs about $400. Its set up similarly (but not exactly) like the Lotus versions. The OEM versions will cost you about $1,000 unless you can get a group buy going. Probably wouldn't save 50% though.

Having seen pics of both the OEM's are better and each light "orb" does tail/brake, turn and reverse. The aftermarket seem to only do tail/brake and turn. Would have to plan for a third orb to do reverse which increases the cost slightly over the $400 to do LED's.

[F1 LOTUS]

Perhaps you might like to research these Hella units?


Probably need de-icing kit by time I get around to doing these!

[Rogerf]

Very interesting,i'm looking at fitting similar into my new conversion.I was going to purchase the one's from Moto......from the above link!
Spoke with the guy and he said the wiring was quite straight forward,though having spoke to Lotus tech. dept.may be not.

Roger

[Elanlover]

Perhaps you might like to research these Hella units?

Probably need de-icing kit by time I get around to doing these!

Hmmm....................2 things come to mind.

1. These look suspicously like the aftermarket ones I saw for sale for about $400 for 4 of them. Not quite (they were all one piece) but very, very close. Could easily be the same but combined into one unit as the pic you posted indicates is possible. Thought their's was all LED though (seems Hella has only incandescent center piece depicted).

2. Brian, If that's your Elan I will be very jealous! Replacement light panel concept looks great.

WOW. I want one! Please begin production immediately so that I can start installing next weekend. I'm assuming the usual $10 should cover it.

[Elanlover]

Very interesting,i'm looking at fitting similar into my new conversion.I was going to purchase the one's from Moto......from the above link!
Spoke with the guy and he said the wiring was quite straight forward,though having spoke to Lotus tech. dept.may be not.

Roger

Roger, I think the package from Moto is a straight replacement with whatever kit/pieces you need (except one perhaps). If you buy the OEM ones from Lotus there's a balast and some other pieces in addition to the lights you need adding to about $1,000 USD.

Now, I doubt they'll include an Elan specific flasher module that will compensate for the reduced current draw. Fortunately, as stated earlier in the post somewhere (and in the parts Cross Reference section) a cheap flasher module can be purchased which should do the job. I have it installed now with LED replacement bulbs and it does the trick.

[Rogerf]

Yes, i beleive the Moto led lenses are straight replacements.Because after a conversation with him he said that i'd have no problem connecting them up and they are set up to cover all lighting requirments [ie fog,reverse]For £200 all in it certainly is a cheaper option than the oem ones from Lotus.I shall be speaking to Moto again on Monday to find out how they compare with the oem's.
I've just finished the number plate conversion so i need the lenses to finish the light conversion.

Roger

[Doug]

Nice pic above, Brian. I like it all except I think Frenching the licence plate into the rounded bumper would look a bit strange -- not sure if that is a new rear bumper cover or just the stock one hacked up a bit -- if it's new then just make it less bubble rounded . . .

[Elanlover]

Nice pic above, Brian. I like it all except I think Frenching the licence plate into the rounded bumper would look a bit strange

The only thing about the plate I don't like is that you couldn't do this kind of conversion in 2 steps. If you wanted to do the lights but save the bumper for later, like when you had more money for example, you couldn't do it because you'd need to find a place for the plate. unless you temporarily made a plinth for it to sit on and then screwed that into the bumper. Wouldn't look too pretty though.

LOVE the light design and rear panel!