Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Can anyone tell me what purpose this strip of metal servs on my +2? I have an identical piece on the other door shut and can't understand what it is there for.

Thanks in advance one again.

Kevin

Very strange, I certainly haven't got one.. Bodge job to keep water out of bad panel gaps in the past?

It may have been intended to strengthen the pillar. There is a crack at the bottom of the pillar (Yet another repair to carry out), however the metal strip does not follow the profile of the bodywork.

Maybe I can just remove it?

Kevin

The purpose of the metal strip is to hold in place a rubber strip. The reason it is there is to divert rainwater from the door finisher which can then leak into the car. It is a factory fitted item which usually is removed when the car is repainted. It should be held in place with 3 pop rivets and is worth reinstating to prevent water leaks into the car. I am fairly certain the rubber is a 90 dgree section 12mm x 12mm approx.
The strips were fitted to late baby elans as well at least they were on the '71 sprint I used to own but they are missing fom my '70 plus 2 although the holes for the rivets are still there. The strips in the picture are definatly not correct perhaps someone with the original strips still intact could post a picture
Regards
dave

They are not on my Plus 2 (1972 S130) and they are NOT shown on the parts list diagrams and I've not seen them on any other Plus 2 either !!!
I would say a bodge job !!!

Lotus fan.

Mine had the rubber strips fitted exactly in the position described (68 Plus 2) - although they were glued rather than rivetted to the body.

My 1973 Sprint has similar strips. The metal is about 8mm wide and the rubber about 12mm x 6mm (right angle profile). It is held on by at least three rivets. The shorter 6mm wing of the rubber section is towards the outside and points downwards.

I believe the part numbers are:
036B 6000 Seal
036B 2002 Strip
Dont know if they are fitted to +2's as its not a +2 part number but I suppose Lotus could have used them as well.

end section

Looks like someone stuck the windscreen wipers in the wrong place!

Hi Kevin,
I have a 1970 +2s that has exactly the same thing as you show in the picture. When I first got the car there was the remains of what appeared to be a neoprene rubber seal ? it had perished some years ago.

I too believe it was there to stop rain ingress through the front door seal ? What would be interesting is to see how it can be replaced/replicated.

I will try and post a picture of my car tomorrow.

Dave

Could it be that they moved the seals onto the door like the one highlighted on my door.
Cheers Lotus fan.

Thanks for all of the replies and pictures. I'll remove the strips for the time being and replace later - hopefully with stainless steel and some improved water channelling

Just bought two for my 68 S4 from Paul Matty's.
?17 inc postage for both sides.
They're called the secondary door seals...apparently