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Elan S4 update...plus boot letter spacing!!

PostPosted: Sat Jun 29, 2019 4:11 pm
by djb222
A quick update on the progress on my Elan S4, plus a queery about the
L . O . T . U . S letter spacing on the boot lid. Were they factory fitted or not fitted correctly after the respray?

https://youtu.be/eJzzGonoET4

Re: Elan S4 update...plus boot letter spacing!!

PostPosted: Sat Jun 29, 2019 6:33 pm
by 1owner69Elan
I would say your boot lettering is definitely wrong and not how delivered from the factory.

Here is my 1969 S4 (G registered, like yours, prior to export to California) as delivered to me at the factory:

img_8516.jpg and

Basically, the "T" is centered. Then the "O" and the "U" are spaced 5" to the left and right of the "T", centered on the license lights. Then, the "L" and "S" a further 5" to the left and the right.

Here are some measurements I made on spacing just before sending my car in for paint (still there). I insisted that the shop not fill the existing letter holes. Those holes have been maintained, which will make life much easier for refitting the letters later.


img_0807.jpg and
img_0808.jpg and
img_0809.jpg and
img_0810.jpg and
img_0811.jpg and
img_0812.jpg and

On a side note, the chrome on my original letters was rather pitted so I purchased replacement letters. While these look OK, I found them to be slightly smaller than the originals and also made of chromed plastic. Thus, I am having the original letters replated.

Re: Elan S4 update...plus boot letter spacing!!

PostPosted: Sat Jun 29, 2019 7:05 pm
by ericbushby
Mine are also spaced at 5 inches,
Eric in Burnley
S3SE DHC

Re: Elan S4 update...plus boot letter spacing!!

PostPosted: Sat Jun 29, 2019 8:41 pm
by djb222
Many thanks both, I'll be putting it back to factory.

Not sure whether the boot lid was replaced at some point, which would explain why the lettering may have been fitted with the incorrect spacing, but it looks to be original to me. Maybe I'll find out as I remove the rest of the paint etc.

Re: Elan S4 update...plus boot letter spacing!!

PostPosted: Sun Jun 30, 2019 2:51 am
by tedtaylor
those aren't "backup" lights. they are license plate illumination lights. Backup lights are integral with the tail lights.

Re: Elan S4 update...plus boot letter spacing!!

PostPosted: Sun Jun 30, 2019 3:06 am
by 1owner69Elan
tedtaylor wrote:those aren't "backup" lights. they are license plate illumination lights. Backup lights are integral with the tail lights.


You are right. I mis-spoke. I DO know the difference. Corrected.

Re: Elan S4 update...plus boot letter spacing!!

PostPosted: Mon Jul 01, 2019 8:24 am
by nmauduit
djb222 wrote:Many thanks both, I'll be putting it back to factory.

Not sure whether the boot lid was replaced at some point, which would explain why the lettering may have been fitted with the incorrect spacing, but it looks to be original to me. Maybe I'll find out as I remove the rest of the paint etc.


if the parts are original, it is often possible to locate the factory drilling by shining a strong light at the outside and looking from the inside (esp. when the paint has been removed); sometimes tiny back surface differences or filler spurts are enough to help locate the factory holes (it helps to know where to look though).