M100 hardtop

I would like to start a discussion on fitting a hardtop to the Elan.

Lets presume we accept the asthetics ( I do ) and assume we don't have a Thousand pounds for the real thing, which I believe lotus made a few of in 1991. I have a poor Hood on my car and with our weather I am loathed to spend £600 on a new Hood + £450 on a set of seals only to still have the dreaded leaks.

I understand through Elan Central that someone may start making a limmited run hardtop and I have seen a very nice M100 with one at Stoneliegh , but no price's available.

has anyone seen a Targa top on an Elan?
Would an MX5 / MGTF top fit?

I hope this sparks some idea's and will not offend the purists.

peter

well i don't know which way to point, but i'm curious as to how you get along with this.

how about getting a design that folds? which would still have similar qualities of soft top, but added protection...

Welcome along Peter ...

You are indeed correct that several people on Lotus Elan Central have put into limited production a fibre glass hard top design for the M100. If you are intending in going along to Donington this year at the end of April then it would be a great chance to see some of these designs in person.

I am not sure where they got the designs from, whether from Lotus or one off, but I have seen a few around that boast this feature. Although I am keen on the idea I am not a fan in particular as I bought the Elan for its stunning looks with the soft top and even more so with out it up.

No doubt you have had a good look on LEC and to add I'm sure in no way will anyone be offended in yourself pursuing the same idea. In fact I wish you the best of luck and hope we can help and see its progression.

CJ

As a new owner of a M100 elan and tired of getting wet I am keen to find out if this thread resulted in a good loooking hardtop being found.

M100DavidM wrote:As a new owner of a M100 elan and tired of getting wet I am keen to find out if this thread resulted in a good loooking hardtop being found.

Hello and welcome.

I would never be tempted to get a hard top for the M100 because as Clarkson puts it "you have a million miles of head room" and I just don't think it looks good on such a pretty sports car. But there are those who would like one, for the reason you have stated as well as others. Have a look at this page ... this is the sort of price and quality hardtop which you can get your hands on: http://forum.lotuselancentral.com/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=16482&p=219233&hilit=hardtop#p219233

Lotus genuine hardtop


SPC Design: http://www.spcdesign.co.uk/