Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Having just had my Historic Technical Passport rejected on the grounds that the car hasn't a vinyl type dasboard/crash pad can anyone point me to evidence that 26R's never originally had them.I'm absolutely sure all S1 26R's didn't have them & pretty sure S2's didn't either.
I do of course need photographic evidence to put my case,even though the previous HTP showed it without one!

S2 did, at least mine, think the S1s did as well, Dave?

Here's a pix of mine in the early 70s, you can just make out the shape of it protruding up.

My 26R S2, which had very original interior when purchased prior to re-shelling, I refitted the interior as is as it was in great condition. The car has a complete road based interior, centre console, dash top, grill vent etc, the dash layout and instruments, switches are as standard other than oil light fitted and in my case oil cooler switch which repurposed the interior lamp switch (I have the 26R parts manual which has this wiring noted. Other than the wheel, bucket seats and drives side roll hoop. The roof had lining, and the little aluminium covers to cover screws, all as per the road cars.

Regards

V

Getting htps is a lottery. I got new papers last year without the dashpad

Regards
Andy

Hi, I thought this picture may help,

And I've also attached picture of S1 26R thats in the Toyota Museum, , and

Cheers

Vaughan

As far as I am aware all 26r's were fitted with crashpads.
I have seen many cars with papers that do not have them or the centre consoles.

Is your car a 26R or GTS car?

Who was the inspector?
Dave

Boxer - YHM

Hi. In addition to Vaughan's photo of 26/R/27 which is in the Toyota Musem Tokyo, here are
a couple more, and a few showing door/roof linings.

The Toyota Museum car seems to have an S2 dashboard.

It does, the only thought I have is its a S1.5 built in the cross over to S2's, as i understand its a very original car.

Very useful photos of the Toyota Museum car. What colour is it, is it an original shade ?

I would be interested to see more photos of the original 26R seats (shape / finishes) if anyone has these.

For the original crash pad / timber dashboard debate for the HTP, my understanding is that this is essential as the HTP folks wish to see increasingly original cars. The weight difference is fairly marginal compared to current 30kg roll cages, so (other than finiding one), this not a major issue.

The HTP inspector here in France also wants all hoses and "plumbing" connections to be in black / silver and not in bright reds and blues, so perhaps before applying for a HTP, a quick look through all the non-original parts might make some sense.

I'm sympathetic to your French inspectors wishes.
I'm going to have a veneered dash. It may be on a carbon fibre template, or ply, I've not decided, but I get the original look, where safety is not compromised.
All hoses are available in a less bling look.

I've the original seats for my S2 26R, I'll try to take some photos of them tomorrow.

I'm all for originality, I spent a fortune on ultra lightweight and flexible, impervious to Moderns fuels material braided teflon lined hoses for my 26R, with aluminium/silver anodised fittings. I've a modern dry sump tank, that I can split to clean, hidden under a copy of the original tank top!

As for safety of the dash, the plywood dash is a composite just old school composite, multiple layers glued with grains running in different directions, creating a very strong and stiff bulkhead at least with S2's, the attachment points however do leave something to be desired. Whereas modern materials increase stiffness with lightness, the attachment points remain weak as p..s!

Greame, I'd previously looked at using an aluminium honeycomb sandwich material, with veneer. I ended up using all my original dash etc cleaned but otherwise parts unrestored.

Cheers

V

Guys. A few more photos from the Tokyo Museum car, better showing the seats and interior trim.
May be usefully.