Reconditioning the front grille

PostPost by: 69S4 » Wed Jun 06, 2018 12:45 pm

1owner69Elan wrote:Since a previous post brought up mesh size, the mesh (at least on the regular Elan (S4)) was rectangular and not square. The replacement grilles have square mesh as was pointed out to me by Sue Miller.

As such, I decided (for originality) to refurb and use my original unit.

Pretty subtle mesh variation to me, but I note it "just for the record", and perhaps only noticed by a sharp-eyed concours judge.


Upsetting a concours judge is pretty low down my list of worries as about 90% of the Elans on the planet would have to vanish overnight for mine to be in with any sort of chance :lol: , but it just shows how you live and learn. I've had a quick look at the (original as far as I'm aware) grill on my S4 and lo and behold it has rectangular mesh, something that I'd never registered. Hiding in plain sight obviously.

Again, just for the record this is what it looks like (complete with oversprayed numbers):


d3s1032.jpg and


I suppose if you were that worried about it you could always snip out every second cross piece from the square section replacement ones.
Stuart Holding
Thame UK / Alpe D'Huez France
69 S4 FHC
Honda GoldWing 1800
Honda CBX1000
Kawasaki H1 500
Yamaha XS2
69S4
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 1347
Joined: 23 Sep 2004

PostPost by: JonB » Wed Jun 06, 2018 1:57 pm

Hi Stuart

Perhaps we're looking at (yet) another case of Lotus using what is to hand?

I would not be surprised at all...
User avatar
JonB
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 2396
Joined: 14 Nov 2017

PostPost by: MarkDa » Wed Jun 06, 2018 5:48 pm

Or more likely who produced something serviceable at the lowest price!
MarkDa
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 1215
Joined: 15 Apr 2017

PostPost by: 1owner69Elan » Wed Jun 06, 2018 8:07 pm

I would further note that the "rectangular mesh" seems to come in two (at least ) flavors.

Notice the different aspect ratios. In one case 2:1 vs something like 1.5:1 on mine.

Now, we are really getting into the weeds.
'69 Elan S4 SE
Street 181 BHP
Original owner
1owner69Elan
Fourth Gear
Fourth Gear
 
Posts: 897
Joined: 16 Jun 2015

PostPost by: MarkDa » Wed Jun 06, 2018 8:25 pm

And mine are definitely square.
So any aspect ratio is probably genuine?
And concours judges may have to consider how they prove that their own opinions are correct?
MarkDa
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 1215
Joined: 15 Apr 2017

PostPost by: RichardHawkins » Wed Jun 06, 2018 8:37 pm

I have had my S4 since it was ten years old and the grill has a rectangular pattern. I had a new grill made in stainless, powder coated black, as I could not find a replacement other than a square mesh.

Richard Hawkins
RichardHawkins
Coveted Fifth Gear
Coveted Fifth Gear
 
Posts: 1206
Joined: 05 Jul 2008
Previous

Total Online:

Users browsing this forum: Mike133 and 22 guests