Correct ashtray for Elan S3

[skelteanema]

Hi all,

apparently there are two types of ashtray that were fitted to the Elan. Can anyone tell me which of the two were fiited to the Elan S3, or were the two interchangeable?

Brian Bucklands book shows the two types of ashtrays (see picture), and suggests that the one screwed directly to the front of the dash was on the S3, whereas the one held by a U-bracket screwed to the rear of the dash was on used for the S4 and Sprint. However, my Elan S3 has the cavity for the ashtray, but shows no evidence of anything being screwed into the front of the dash. Most pictures of the S4/Sprint seem to show the wider ashtray which suggests they were the ones screwed into the front of the dash.

I would like to get the dash close to its original specs. I have managed to find an ashtray of the type that screws into the front of the dash, but want to make sure that this is correct for the S3 before fitting.

As usual any help is appreciated.

[prloz]

Hi Skittle,
I'm restoring an original 1966 S3. The ashtray is held by a u-bracket screwed to the rear of the dash. You should have a couple of small holes in the rear of the dash 6" apart.
Regards,
Peter.

[alan71]

My 71 sprint has the one shown as a series 3, with 2 screws in the front.

Alan.

[FOX5D]

Hi

My 1966 s3 fhc has the u bracket ashtray. Hope this is helpful.

Jim

[Galwaylotus]

My '67 S3 SE FHC has the two screws on the ouside of the dash as in the picture labelled Series 3.

[Galwaylotus]

. . . of course, this being Lotus, there probably is no standard type!!!

[adigra]

My 67 S3 has the front fixing one as well.

Adi

[bcmc33]

As I see it the ashtray described by Buckland as series 3 is the one fitted to the S4 & Sprint, so I guess the one described as series 4 was fitted to earlier Elans.

Having said that, the so called series 3 ashtray would be the easiest to fit, and they both look pretty much the same when closed.

[skelteanema]

Thanks all,
I got the answer I wanted. It seems the ashtray may be interchangeable between models. I have had trouble finding the U-bracket one (here in New Zealand), but have the wider one, so will fit this as it seems it was fitted to some S3 models.

[billwill]

My 1967 S3 has the top one in the picture.

The box with two holes in its front plate.

If you have one of those ... fit it.

[simonknee]

My '67 S3 has the one with the screws