tail light lenses or covers

[solar]

has anyone found tailight lenses tor covers for the old esprit tail lights? I gotta get rid of the toyota logos on my tail lights. if you look close after tryin to figure out who makes lotus it wrongly appears to be a toyota built car by the logos on the tail light lenses.

who has found a non toyoata replacement lens or lens cover to get rid of this blight without switching to the 02 lights???

[kmaier]

Consider it a plus if you break one... should not be too difficult to source a replacement. Beyond that, not aware of any non-Toyota replacements. I guess you can take a dremel and grind the "Toyota" off the lenses if it bothers you that much.

Of course, you may want to spend more time driving the car than worrying about specific parts and their origin. Besides.... most people never get close enough to read the lenses anyway... provided you're driving it properly.

Regards, KM
2000 V8

[karlfranz]

Seems like a lot of trouble for something that most people will never notice. The Toyota text is very small and discrete. You need to already know it's there to go looking for it.

Just remember, the headlights on the last few years of the Lamborghini Diablo all said Nissan since they came off a 300ZX. I don't think anyone thinks any less of the Diablo because of the lights and that car is worth many times the price of your Esprit.

Cheers,

Karl-Franz :-)
www.espritfactfile.com

[solar]

I love driving my car, i have put about 300 miles on it in the first week!!! I was thinking having toyota logos on my lotus just wasnt right...

[solar]

i was thinking maybe someone had found a l replacement lens that was anonymous...

[kmaier]

solar said: I love driving my car, i have put about 300 miles on it in the first week!!! I was thinking having toyota logos on my lotus just wasnt right...

Hey, it could always be worse... you could have a Renault Gearbo... uh, never mind!

Regards, KM
2000 V8

[karlfranz]

solar said: I love driving my car, i have put about 300 miles on it in the first week!!!

Solar , you need to start travelling with us. I just put about 1,300 miles in one weekend on our bi-annual trip to Atlanta to visit our friends at LCU for the British Motorcar Day and the Historic Races. We will be going back in September if you want to join us.

Cheers,

Karl-Franz :-)
www.espritfactfile.com

[LotusACBC]

I never knew there were toyota logos on the lights and I am the biggest nut for Esprits who doesnt own one. I have searched every inch of the car countless times in the last many years. So if I didnt notice them, no one will. I know what you mean though about not sitting right knowing it is there. I wouldnt want that there either.

[kylie]

Errr hello.. Lotus used many parts off other cars, they are famous for it! Austin maxi door handles, Citroen wing mirrors, Lucas switch gear, air bag with lotus cover is off a Trans-am, the list does go on!! I had a list of all the parts in the car saved somewhere and all makes of car they are off, was totally blown away myself. Must dig it out again.

Go around the front of the car and see what brand the indicator lights they are

[maigret]

We managed to get some Repro Taiwanese copy tail lights for our Toyota Hiace van. Just as good as genuine and less than half the price. No Toyota label on them either. Don't know if the Lotus/Toyota lights are available.

[solar]

i knew lotus used alot of different manu.s parts. But after close inspection the only ones that seem out of place are the toyota lamps. I mean oz and brembo are known for aftermarket performance products, and the wheel says lotus even if it was gm sourced. I wish they did they same with the lamps.. just pay toyota to leave it blank or put Lotus instead. Side indicators on my car just say england sae. Not as offensive as toyota. I guess if i didnt previously despise toyota it wouldnt be so bad, but toyota's are just above korean bangers for low quality champs imo.

[lotusguy]

Hi,

I'm sorry, but this is silly. You have a LOTUS not a Toyota. Your Lotus comes with some Toyota parts. Get over it.

Ferrari, Lambo, Masserati, Aston Martin, Porsche. you will find off the shelf outsourced components in each of these cars. Some say Ford, GM, VW, Citroen, Renault and even Toyota.

Stop making a Federal case over something as benign as a tail light and go drive the car. That way, other people will have to look at your Toyota tail lights and not you! Happy Motoring! Jim'85TE

>> Edited by lotusguy on Friday 23 May 18:40

[solar]

I actually have a diifferent opinion than you lotusguy, i dont like it to say toyoata in small letters on my lights and i was looking for a solution that someone may have already found, just like some like to change the gear shift or steering wheel. Im sure there is a simple solution that will keep the style but lose the letters. I know im being "silly" in some peoples eyes but hey Ijust buying the s4s would seem "silly" to some people..

[lotusguy]

solar said: I actually have a diifferent opinion than you lotusguy, i dont like it to say toyoata in small letters on my lights and i was looking for a solution that someone may have already found, just like some like to change the gear shift or steering wheel. Im sure there is a simple solution that will keep the style but lose the letters. I know im being "silly" in some peoples eyes but hey Ijust buying the s4s would seem "silly" to some people..

Solar,

You certainly are entitled to your opinion, I never said otherwise. I am just trying to add a little perspective to the issue. It is such a miniscule detail, when considering the car in total, that it does indeed seem silly. I guess you're leanings are more toward how it looks than it's performance capabilities, and there are certainly many such owners.

If you wanna change them, change them, but it won't improve the car, just calm your paranoia about them being there. I can't wait til you find that many of your mechanical internals are stamped FOMOCO or Ford or GM. I'm looking forward to seeing how you're gonna deal with those. Happy Motoring! Jim'85TE

[solar]

I love the cars performance, technology, and design. a 4cyl that get 300hp but sips gas around town and has a beautiful look and interior. A few "silly" flaws that i am going to upgrade like the plastic hoses, and the misaligned air vent, tail lamps etc. Maybe when im done my car will be even more mechanicly and cosmeticlly great (it already is). I was impressed by dermots gung ho car, and i am going to make mine better!!!


cheers!

[kmaier]

Hey Matt,

Personally, I don't find the tail lights offensive.... Toyota makes them (it could be much worse you know). If anything, you should be sick over the factory head lights mounted in the cheesiest mounting rings I've ever seen (courtesy of Lucas) ... but I'd really prefer to get a better steering wheel from the factory. Be sure to check out the cooling fans in the front underneath... mine all say Ford (and two have died already). Tell you what... if/when you find replacement tail lights, I'll take the others off your hands... deal?

Regards, KM
2000 V8

PS - you planning on doing any driving this weekend if the weather's nice? I know I am :-)

[solar]

When i find a replacement for the tail lenses ill let you know..i gave mine its first rain test today. Traction was great. the cabin was bone dry, and the wiper worked fine. My blade might need replacing but thats a nothing fix and it was working well anyhow. I am getting better at driving it thats for sure. I noticed turning my ac off dropped th idle to 900 from 1000 with ac on...

[kylie]

Here you go Solar and others, I knew this page was around somewhere. Quite interesting. As it states, to be used at own risk as it was compiled by club people. I don't have a Lotus car manual yet for mine, so would be interesting to cross reference the details.

http://gglotus.best.vwh.net/ggpart/espritxref.htm

See ya
Kylie

[lotusguy]

kylie said: Here you go Solar and others, I knew this page was around somewhere. Quite interesting. As it states, to be used at own risk as it was compiled by club people. I don't have a Lotus car manual yet for mine, so would be interesting to cross reference the details.

http://gglotus.best.vwh.net/ggpart/espritxref.htm

See ya
Kylie

Kylie,

There are a glaring number of inaccuracies on that site. I would not recommend it's use to anyone not very familiar with these cars. For example, it lists the same fuel pump for '85-'96 and yet the '85 is carburetted w/ a 5.0PSI max for fuel pump while all the other years are injected requiring much higher pressures. Happy Motoring! Jim'85TE

[kylie]

Yeah bound to be quite a few. Atleast people can see the diverse manufacturing parts potentially used.
Jim I think if you get a chance gg lotus club would really appreciate your comments, so they can help people a little better.

>> Edited by kylie on Sunday 25th May 00:38