Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Some time ago there was a discussion regarding reproduction +2 consoles. I believe Sue Miller tried to reproduce them. Did she ever resume the project?

Are there any reproduction consoles being offered presently?

Thanks

Bob

I'm looking into the possibility now. It would be a good addition to my line.

Frank

This has got to be one of the most difficult parts the +2 console all in plastic to find.
For the +2S it's easy to make one and once it's covered in foam and the original pattern vinyl no one will know.
Alan

Which part is the console? I thought the OP was referring to the dash.

The black plastic piece that goes from the dash , between the front seats , to the rear seats...

John

I think for a proper one, in plastic, the forming mold or buck or whatever, is time consuming to make. It is also large, so both making it properly and shipping it are difficult

Mini is still in one piece but getting beat up. I think I would make one of wood and have it upholstered, or one could repair the original and upholster it

Ah right, now I'm thinking that as mine is totally disintegrated and held together by the vinyl, maybe it's in order to lay fibreglass matting on the inside, using it as a kind of former. The rear section (between the rear seats) is fibreglass on mine, and it looks as good as the day it left the factory.

I obtained a new console shell and under dash closure panels from Kelvedon, reproduced in fibreglass.

This was for a Plus 2S. I don't think the eraly type are available.

Jon

3D printing. Everything is possible but at what cost. That's why we rely on our larger suppliers to invest in getting parts manufactured, at great initial cost to them. See link for 3D printing.
https://hobsstudio.com/news/largest-3d-printer-in-uk/
With this technology the costs will come down in time.
Les.

3d printing an item this large would be hugely expensive. The price of 3d printing units is exponential with size

I am going to guess the setup to make them as new would be several thousand dollars, but then they would be pocket change each.

I made a new centre console out of upvc which I then trimmed to match the interior.It was quite easy and although I know it?s not an exact match I think it looks ok.
Ed

Looks good. Details please?

Ed, that looks fantastic! Great job.

I had to look uPVC up. Understand it is the material commonly used in window frames and siding...

https://www.diffen.com/difference/PVC_vs_uPVC

So, How did you make it? Does it require specialized skills and equipment? Can you pop off a hundred and retire on the proceeds?

Very nice. Thanks for posting.

Stu

The advantage of upvc is that you can shape it very easily using a hair dryer . Basically you heat the part that you wish to bend and it will retain the shape you have bent it into.
I used the original cracked console as a template and cut the upvc into the correct shapes and sizes using thin sheet for the sides , a thicker piece for the top and beading for the raised parts on top. I used the shape of the various pieces to judge where and how much to bend the individual pieces and then screwed and glued the parts together. I then trimmed the assembly as in the pictures fastening the beading on last to cover the joins in the trim on the main body.
The whole thing was quite simple except for the bit around the gear stick which was a bit of a fiddle due to the offset.
I did this about 5 years ago in an afternoon and it?s been in the car ever since and it also lifts out fairly easily for access
Hope that makes sense
Ed

Well, mine just took a dixie 8 feet from the shelf it was on, so I guess my interest is now more than academic