Lotus SS badges

[Greg Foster]

I am looking for some information regarding these badges. Anybody know who made them? The original process? As you can see the bezel is separate from the plastic insert. The insert, which is about 1/8" thick, seems to have a chromed lettering (similar to the reflective backing on a mirror) on it then the whole backside of the insert and letters are coated with black. The insert is glued into the bezel. Does anyone know of someone who could reproduce these? They must have made a small production run, something like 2000 of these, to fit the bezels as this was used on the transition cars. Does anyone else need these as I would like to have a run made if they aren't too expensive....let me know.
Greg

[Greg Foster]

Also any leads on who might be able to reproduce these badges would be helpful.
Greg

[andyelan]

Hi Greg

As far as I know, all the other badges which fit this bezel are available ( "130" "130/5" etc ) but I think you'll struggle with this one. Try contacting Sue Miller or Paul Matty to see if they can tell you where the ones which are available come from.

Andy

[Elanintheforest]

Hi Greg. My SS inserts were some sort of metal...quite heavy and I guess they are cast. Should be pretty easy to remake from brass using an original badge insert to make a mould. It may be worth approching Bean, Matty and Miller to see if they are interested in getting them remade (doubtful due to the potentially small number of customers!) or where they get their badges reproduced.

Mark

[Pastapesto]

Greg

Try Susan Miller @ http://www.mickmillerlotus.com, 0(44)1728 603307. I think she knows a bit about these & she is ever so helpful. Good luck.

Adam

[johnsimister]

Mark got there first... but I'll post a pic of my metal SS badge anyway. And yes, I know the bumper should be silver. It will be, soon.

John


Edit: for some reason I can't get the pic to upload. The file size is OK so I don't know what the problem is. Oh well, I tried...

[Elan45]

I was able to purchase new SS badges when I was restoring my car in 1982-85, but then decided not to use them because it was so difficult to get them out of the bezels. But mine were in nice shape to begin with, just needed the black touched up and a polish. I'll bet if you look a little at some of the places like Bean you may find them. I wouldn't be surprised if mine came from Sports Car World, which is supposedly in process of moving back to Dallas. You need to have looked a lot harder to find originals before getting new ones made.

[Greg Foster]

I have tried bean, scw, rd, pm, cn, tt, mm,....any other suggestions?
Greg

[Tonyw]

Greg,

In a former life when I was into bikes i used this company to get some badges made, the workmanship was exceptional http://www.badgereplicas.com.au/ and from memory I did not think that the quantity was all that large and perhaps one of the major Lotus suppliers might pick up any spares from a short run, no cnnection other than being a very satisfied customer, they are mainly making Bike badges but I cannot see why they would not make a lots badge, check out there web site.

Tony W

[Elan45]

Greg,

I would try SCW again. Moving the stock over a 100 miles by new owner could misplace some stuff and badges are pretty small. If that doesn't work, you might try having a local CNC machine shop carve out a pair. Aluminum would be easy enough, brass would work too. Might even try plastic stock, then plate them and paint over the background in black. I don't want to part w/ my spares.

[Frank Howard]

Greg,

I'm beginning to understand why you got such a great deal on that car. It's no different than buying an Elan with a bad chassis or a bad head. The seller knew that because it was a rare SS model, the badges would be expensive to replace. Consequently, the car was priced accordingly.

[Greg Foster]

Elan 45,
Are your badge inserts made of plastic? Are they similar to the ones in the picture I posted?
Frank,
You are sooo right....you can add onto that remark that every damn part of the car is rare including the gas in the carbs!

My wallet continues to feel the rarity of money also!

Greg

[Elan45]

Greg,

I photograph mine for you. They fit into the rims as you have shown but they are not plastic. They are metal, probably die cast pot metal. My original ones were decent and I didn't have new rims to put the new badges into, so my son polished up the originals nice enough to use. They were never removed from the rims. I have always been concerned how some of the emblems are attached on the car, and I wouldn't be terribly surprised to find a emblem missing after a drive in the country.

I've had my SS since Sept 1974. Shortly after I bought it, I realized how few there were, and so any time I've had the chance to pick up unique spares for it, I've done so. Now, with so many surfacing, I wish I'd bought more, but then, there have been some lean times and some good times over the years

[Greg Foster]

Elan 45,
IF I were able to send you a clay templating kit, would you consider creating a template for the badge? I may then be able to copy and replace those on my car and make a few for others who may be in need.
Greg