The Lotus Grand Tourers

I am new to the forum having recently acquired a 1984 excel which I plan to keep. The car does though need quite a bit of tidying! I wonder should there some sort of cover for the battery in the boot space? Needless to say nothing exists to conceal/protect the battery at the moment although the remainder of the boot trim seems complete?

Welcome, and congratulations on your wise acquisition. They are great cars and unless your previous owner has had everything kept in perfect condition, you will have the joy of experiencing a car you love get better each time you tinker (well nearly every time..). Im not near the handling the car had when it left Hethel, but im edging closer and its getting better and better.

Re battery, There is a moulded plastic cover that goes over the battery and fixes by clipping into th emetal bracket that clamps the battery down. I expect Lotusbits or the other suppliers will have one. Mine doesnt like to stay in place tbh, but you do need something to protect the terminals. In the meantime, you might find ebay has some rubber terminal covers that you could thread over the cable ends to prevent fireworks next to the fuel tank (the breathers sometimes crack and leak vapour into the boot...). I migt do that anyway as i dont trust the cover to behave itself.

Spav, the moderator can give you access to the parts manual (see post on that topic) so you can see what you should have. I gound it as useful as the service notes.

Good luck,

Phil

LotusBits in warwickshire are a main source of secondhand spares or stick an add in the wanted section. You never know...

Thanks guys for getting back. Nice to know just how helpful the forum can be. Seems that LotusBits don't presently have a battery cover but based on what you have said I think that I can probably 'manufacture' something which will look presentable (I have some spare original boot carpet which I can probably arrange over an improvised former and fix back to the battery restraint).

I made one for mine using the dimensions of an original cover I found on another Elite. I used 3 ply covered in carpet, although I now understand why the original is made in rather more flexible fibreboard! If you like, I can sketch something up with dimensions and send it to you.

ATB Richard

Look up Lotuselan17 (David) in the member list and PM him. He's a nasty man that breaks cars and may well have one lying around