S2 Elise hardtops... different sizes?
Discussion
I've done some homework now on the S2 Elise short-tailed hardtops (Lotus ones).
Seems there are 2 versions. The early one doesn't have the soft material lining on the inside and the back corner covers appear to bolt into place. I've seen one fit an 03 Elise perfectly, nice and flush at the rollbar. It was beautiful to behold.
The later version has the soft material lining on the inside and the back corner covers use velcro to hold them in place. However this version doesn't sit flush with the rollbar on my 03 Elise (the roof is higher by some 5 mm) and the roof is about 5mm short lengthwise (this not so noticeable). Mine also does not have the plastic trim along the sides (actually looks nicer without them), though I have seen photos of new Elises with the trim.
I thought mine could be a VX220 roof but there are no signs of a respray job and the Vauxhall silver is different. I'm pretty sure mine is a Lotus one.
A nice test would have been to take the earlier roof off and try it on my Elise but I doubt the dealer would have been too co-operative.
So am I the only person ever to notice this??
Seems there are 2 versions. The early one doesn't have the soft material lining on the inside and the back corner covers appear to bolt into place. I've seen one fit an 03 Elise perfectly, nice and flush at the rollbar. It was beautiful to behold.
The later version has the soft material lining on the inside and the back corner covers use velcro to hold them in place. However this version doesn't sit flush with the rollbar on my 03 Elise (the roof is higher by some 5 mm) and the roof is about 5mm short lengthwise (this not so noticeable). Mine also does not have the plastic trim along the sides (actually looks nicer without them), though I have seen photos of new Elises with the trim.
I thought mine could be a VX220 roof but there are no signs of a respray job and the Vauxhall silver is different. I'm pretty sure mine is a Lotus one.
A nice test would have been to take the earlier roof off and try it on my Elise but I doubt the dealer would have been too co-operative.
So am I the only person ever to notice this??
Edited by LotusEater666 on Saturday 12th April 08:50
Early S2s up to 2002 had long tail roofs, which meant the roof anchoring point was half way down the butress. After this, the roof fitted inbetween the windscreen and roll bar. These two hard tops are not compatible. You need to change the roll bar plastic piece thing to be able to fit a newer hard top to an older car.
VX220 hard tops dont fit Lotus'.
There are some factory hardtops, and some aftermarket hardtops, hence why there are differences in fit and finish!
VX220 hard tops dont fit Lotus'.
There are some factory hardtops, and some aftermarket hardtops, hence why there are differences in fit and finish!
I have an '06 one on my sportsracer. I'd say it's about 5mm above the roll bar and it whistles like a good 'un around the 100 mph mark.
Does anyone know if this is caused by the 5 mm gap? Is this common?
I might try and refit the thing to see if I can improve things. It's a great design otherwise, nice to be in (feels just like an exige not surprisingly) plenty of head room and makes the car look fantastic from outside.
Does anyone know if this is caused by the 5 mm gap? Is this common?
I might try and refit the thing to see if I can improve things. It's a great design otherwise, nice to be in (feels just like an exige not surprisingly) plenty of head room and makes the car look fantastic from outside.
My hardtop is a second hand, genuine lotus part and sits about 5mm higher than the roll bar too. It doesn't leak though and there's no undue cabin noise. I can only assume that it doesn't fit 100% perfectly because it spent the first part on it's life on another car. It doesn't really bother me as the rest of it fits fine and it makes the car look awesome!
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