Does any one have a source for a headliner for a Plus 2? I am about to remove and (hope) replace the one in my car and any tips or hints would be appreciated. Thanks. Andy Anderson, Fort Worth, Texas

Hi

Sue always has them at the shows.

http://www.mickmillerlotus.com/

Jason

A competent upholstery shop will have similar material. I purchased a pre-made headliner for my plus two and it was not up to standard. Poor fit.

I had a local upholstery shop reproduce and install the headliner. It was not very expensive and looks great.

They use a higher quality adhesive. It has been my experience that the aerosol can adhesive is not as good..

Bob

Andy

Not sure how much you have looked into it; here are some tips.

I bought mine from Sue Miller as well.

She will need to know how many mounting rods you have, IIRC they are either 3 or 4.

She has them in a single pre-sewn panel, complete with the two pieces that go down the A pillar by the windshield. Looks good to me, but have not fitted yet. Will hopefully fit it in the next week or two.

You will also need a bit of fabric by the yard for the two C pillar panels held in by the rear courtesy lights. Sue also had this, but you have to order it separately.

I understand the front and rear glass has to be removed to install the headliner. You may need new gaskets, etc. It fits under the rubber seals. Maybe others have done it with glass in place?

The fabric comes in two types. I believe the later stuff is a perforated type, but I don't know the name of it.

The stuff I got is called "Lodestar". This has little four pointed stars embossed on it, but no perforations. It was used on a lot of Ford's I believe. You can perhaps find it by the yard locally, or it is often on eBay UK, or get it from Sue.

Consider renewing the fuel vent lines while you have the headliner out. They run across the back roof immediately in front of the rear glass. Mine were in pretty ratty condition.

I recently did this using the Sue Miller supplied headlining - the earlier posts are correct in that you need to identify the number of headlining rods in your particular car. It's not too difficult but takes time to do and you will need to remove the front and rear windscreens, the door seals and the interior rear 3/4 panels.

If I recall correctly you will probably need:

- The headlining and the same fabric for the top part of the 3/4 panels (this is assuming your interior isn't oatmeal - in this case I think the panels were originally covered in a black leatherette(?) material) - I got mine from Sue Miller
- Some foam padding material (I think the stuff I got was in sheet form about 1cm thick) for padding the fuel tank breather pipes, the 3/4 panels, above the front windscreen and the a posts - I got mine from Woolies
- special glue (apparently you need one that is designed to withstand higher temperatures that the the usual evo-stick type) again I sourced mine from Woolies (and no I'm not affiliated with them! ) you'll also something to spread the glue.
- a pop riveter and rivets (the bottom part of the upper cover on the 3/4 panels is held on with glue and an aluminium strip pop riveted to the fibreglass panel)
- lots of spring clapms/bulldog clips
- some rust-stop and paint...

Given that you're in the USA I'd guess R Dent is the place to try for the Lotus only bits, hopefully you'll be able to source the foam etc locally.

You'll need to carefully remove the windscreens, door rubbers, 3/4 panels, and any trim that attaches through the headlining (e.g. sun visors, rear view mirror, interior lights etc). As you go, take photos/notes so to help with the re-trimming. It's also worth making some templates up to show you where the holes will need to be made in the headlining for these trim items once it's fitted.

I re-trimmed the upper parts of the 3/4 panels first as a practice before doing the headlining. Take your time and stop and think before each step! If I recall correctly you'll need to do the following:
- unstick the old covering fabric from the top of the panel and drill out the alloy strip holding the bottom part on.
- thoroughly clean the fibreglass and the alloy strips to get rid of the old foam (this assumes that the 30+ year old foam has now turned to dust), I carefully used a rag with some cellulose thinners to scrub it clean. You may need to repair the fibreglass in places if it's cracked/broken.
- Cut the lining fabric to approximate shape allowing for overlaps etc.
- When fitting the bottom edge of the fabric to the fibreglass panel, put the outwards facing part of the material facing towards the panel, you then glue and pop rivet the alloy strip in place fixing the bottom part of the fabric to the panel. When you've put the padding on you will then fold the material back on itself over the alloy strip and padding
- You then glue the new foam padding onto the panel covering the alloy strup - don't use too much glue but do make sure the foam sticks properly (esp where the coat hook goes).
- glue the edges of the panel and the covering material, again don't use too much glue or it will come through the holes in the lining material, then fold the fabric back over itself where its glued/rivetted in place and pull it tight over the foam so that there are no wrinkles clamping it in place so that it sticks whilst remaining tight. You will need to trim the cloth, mitre it at the corners etc and it's probably best to do a dry run before gluing. Once you've put the glue on you give it some time to set and then it will "grab" the material quite well (the down side of this is once it is stuck it is stuck!).
- allow to dry and carefully make the hole through the foam and cover for the coat hook.

I hope the above is a help - very difficult to describe, much easier to explain and to see what I mean when looking at the actual thing. Do feel free to PM me if you need more help. There's a brief write up of fitting the headlining plus some phoots here:

elan-plus-f13/1972-front-screen-fitting-parts-question-t19480.html

It's quite a daunting task, given that it's very visible once done BUT take your time and do it right and it's a very satisfying job.

Craig

Wow! What great advice!

I read all of the postings each day, and have always been informed and entertained by the writing and the opinions. It's very nice to know that we all have this passion for these strange little cars (I have owned more six plus twos over the last thirty five years... long story) and to know that there is a place to go for help and support.

I have already emailed Sue Miller and look forward to her reply. RD Enterprizes had always ben a great place to get parts in the US as well as Dave Bean, but for some reason, I just didn't think of them when the headliner question came up.

I already have the windscrens out for paint, so that should make all of this easier.

When I get to the job, I will post a running narrative of my success... or a running narrative of how to convert a plus two to a roadster... one or the other (just kidding).

Again, thank you.

Andy

I'm afraid I chickened out. A trimmer made up the headlining, (using the old one as a template) and fitted it. Glass is out and the lining is glued and folded round the window edges. As has been said, this bit is highly visible so a wrinkle free finish is important.

Wish I'd taken more pictures....

Jeremy

Not much to add; I got mine at Paul Matty and it is very good. On my car the real quarter panels have vinyl so we had some headliner left and we used it to make new covers over the sun visors. Nice touch.

One thing - if you get a chance, first watch someone who really knows what they're doing. Very good thing to see just how it's done.

Keith

Hi,

One point I don't anyone mentioned is to get the headlining very warm before fitting it as the material "gives" and becomes more flexible allowing creases to be pulled out. May not be an issue in Texas, but here in the frozen north of England it made a very big difference. I used a fan heater.

D.

Great pics and how-to details guys. This will really help my install! Going to sent the attached pics to the body shop for reference.

I am also having this part of the job done due to logistics. The headliner has to be put in along with a sunroof install and prior to the glass being replaced. With the car body about an hour away, it just makes sense to have it done prior to delivery to the house.

My wife's car recently had a new windshield installed, and they completely screwed the headliner. The glass shop replaced it good as new. So if you do "chicken out" on this job, the guy installing the glass is possible source for your headliner work.

Reynard

this might be of interest

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Lotus-El ... 19b882c9d7

Keith,
perhaps a dumb question: is the handbrake in the center console a modification or did your car come original with it. Mine is #1136 and has the less than not even useless umbrella solution under the steering column.

Hi Leif - the handbrake is part of a Spyder conversion. This arrangement is far more effective. We made the tunnel cover very simple; if you're thinking of something like this you might also check Alan Thomas' setup (can't find it right now).

This reminds me - now that it's winter I should get the web site updated.


Keith

Andy, am in Irving and about where you are on things apparently. My 72 has later headliner which is perforated, referred to as beige "moonstone", no longer available from Woolies so if you find some I'd like to know--need it for the rear section where coathanger is. I got original headliner from RD many years ago, still not installed but close. Meanwhile had one closely similar made up that includes rear pillar sections but haven't decided which to fit. Will order soon from SJ sportscars if you need something and likewise might want to go in on Miller order with you. Recent shipping ran some 80 bucks. 972-717-4601 Gordon Sauer

Nice lokoking seats Jeremy, what are they?

Mike