Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

My big right foot doesn't fit between the brake pedal and the trans tunnel!

I've "worked around" this by keeping a right side racing shoe in the car and changing that when I drive. This has resulted in several embarrassing "I forgot to change my shoe back" moments.

I've looked at what some folks have done. Removing the pedal and bending it.

I had a simpler idea, and I wanted to see if anyone had done it, or had thoughts about it.

I dont need much room.

I was thinking of cutting off the right side of the pedal pad and welding it (or a similar sized piece) back onto the left side of the pedal (and adding a gusset from that new piece to the pedal arm). Then I'd tack weld some expanded metal to this to get me a non slip surface. To make things symmetrical, I'd likely do the same expanded metal treatment to the clutch (but not move it).

Thoughts?

-Kyle

Before:
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After:
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Weirdly I had the same problem in my previous +2 but not in my current S3. (both rhd).The solution was to remove my right shoe and drive with just left shoe on. Stockinged / bare right foot. No chance of forgetting to put right shoe back on when parking up.

Steve
PS is it an urban myth it?s illegal to drive in bare feet in California (anti hippy legislation from the 60s)

I have small feet and still required (wanted) the space between the pedals. I removed the assembly and
heated the hangers and formed them to what you see in the pic. Perfect! No room on the left to rest your
foot but I put it under the pedal when on the highway (no shifting required)

....and I thought Bigfoot didn?t exist but it looks like there?s loads of you lurking out there!

Come on out and drive barefoot - not a chance in 100 that you?ll see a cop. In 40 years, 4 Lotuses and 100,000 Lotus miles I?ve never been stopped (by Lucas & Girling yes, but not by a cop)


Mike

Ps - size 12 US or 46 -47 UK shoe

Try a little more movement on your right foot......

John

Rather than cutting and welding, it seems easier to remove the pedal assembly and bend the pedals.
No heat is needed, just a vice and a hammer.
I moved the brake half an inch and the clutch one inch. I believe it to be an excellent improvement for those like me with size ten wide feet.
I think slightly less adjustment would be sufficient for most people.
I wrote it up with pictures under the title - Pedal spacing - some time ago.
Another factor is that I did not change anything and it could easily be put back to original if desired.
Eric in Burnley
1967 S3SE DHC

I've bent the pedals in situ, without removing the pedals or pedal box. just a smidge will do.
I wear size 12 shoe.
I actually wear special Lotus-only driving shoe I saw advertised on one of the forums....I think it was a Nike shoe.

I have a pair of Nike bowling shoes I wear - they are narrow and smooth enough on the bottom.

They also work on my bike because they fit into my old-school toe clips without a need to wear cleated cycling shoes

Cutting and welding the pedal pad is actually very easy for me.

How hard is it to remove the pedal rack? That seems like more work.

Kyle

All you need is a large crescent wrench to bend the pedals while in the car. Just did it last week for a fellow LOONY. Just adjust the wrench to the thickness of the arm, put it on and bend. I am not a big guy or that strong. Very easy. Oh, I did remove the steering wheel.