Lotus Europa Community

Lotus Europa Forums => Garage => Topic started by: TurboFource on Wednesday,April 21, 2021, 04:09:26 PM

Title: S1 doors handles?
Post by: TurboFource on Wednesday,April 21, 2021, 04:09:26 PM
I like the clean look of the S1's lack of door handles....I have not seen any close up pictures of the opening handle/mechanism.
Can someone post some? Is it possible to adapt to a Twin Cam door?
Title: Re: S1 doors handles?
Post by: jbcollier on Wednesday,April 21, 2021, 07:07:16 PM
Yes, it can be done.  Finding original handles and lock mech is not very easy.  I would talk to Richard as he does this conversion and probably has an alternate source.  The S1/early S2 have a cut away like this:

(https://www.leftcoastclassics.com/1967-lotus-europa/1967-lotus-europa-s1-021.jpg)

(https://www.leftcoastclassics.com/1967-lotus-europa/1967-lotus-europa-s1-043.jpg)

(http://lotus-europa.com/manuals/s1parts/b/B2.gif)

(http://lotus-europa.com/manuals/s1parts/b/B3.gif)
Title: Re: S1 doors handles?
Post by: TurboFource on Thursday,April 22, 2021, 03:30:44 AM
Thanks JB!
Title: Re: S1 doors handles?
Post by: Grumblebuns on Thursday,April 22, 2021, 06:05:29 AM
If you find a source for the push button S1 doors, please post the findings. I have similar problem with my S1 in that both push buttons are badly rusted. I initially thought of adapting the system for the Elise but found that they are also hard to find.

Joji Tokumoto
Fallbrook, Ca
Title: Re: S1 doors handles?
Post by: Chuck Nukem on Thursday,April 22, 2021, 07:48:45 AM
This is one of 1 million projects for me, but since I have a lathe now it is possible. I will probably end up remaking all the hardware because its so damn hard to find.
Title: Re: S1 doors handles?
Post by: SwiftDB4 on Thursday,April 22, 2021, 08:16:26 AM
You can just use the S2/TC lock mechanism while removing the door handles. You do have to have the S1 body cutout though. Door is opened with fabricated lever hidden as photo shows.
Title: Re: S1 doors handles?
Post by: jbcollier on Thursday,April 22, 2021, 08:34:45 AM
Good idea as the original S1 stuff really is hard to find.

Lotus supplies sells the cut out sections.  Pretty easy to make as well though.
Title: Re: S1 doors handles?
Post by: EuropaTC on Thursday,April 22, 2021, 09:05:16 AM
If you find a source for the push button S1 doors, please post the findings. I have similar problem with my S1 in that both push buttons are badly rusted. I initially thought of adapting the system for the Elise but found that they are also hard to find.

Joji Tokumoto
Fallbrook, Ca

S1 or S2 Elise Joji ? S1 lock set here..... cheap enough at £60

https://forums.seloc.org/viewthread.php?tid=476078 (https://forums.seloc.org/viewthread.php?tid=476078)

Brian
Title: Re: S1 doors handles?
Post by: jbcollier on Thursday,April 22, 2021, 09:47:02 AM
Link is to registered user site only.  Can you post more details?
Title: Re: S1 doors handles?
Post by: JR73 on Thursday,April 22, 2021, 09:56:25 AM
Screen shot of post on Seloc so you can see what is offered for £60, will have to register on there to add your name to the list though. Registration is pretty much instant once you have filled in your details.
Title: Re: S1 doors handles?
Post by: Hachille on Thursday,April 22, 2021, 12:14:40 PM
The parts of the lock come from Renault 16TL.
Not easy, but possible to find them used in France.
http://lotus-europa.com/manuals/r16parts/door.pdf
Title: Re: S1 doors handles?
Post by: Grumblebuns on Thursday,April 22, 2021, 12:16:30 PM
If you find a source for the push button S1 doors, please post the findings. I have similar problem with my S1 in that both push buttons are badly rusted. I initially thought of adapting the system for the Elise but found that they are also hard to find.

Joji Tokumoto
Fallbrook, Ca

S1 or S2 Elise Joji ? S1 lock set here..... cheap enough at £60

https://forums.seloc.org/viewthread.php?tid=476078 (https://forums.seloc.org/viewthread.php?tid=476078)

Brian, from what I read on the thread, should fit both S1 and S2 Elises. My 05 federal probably uses the same mechanism. Taking a chance that it will fit so added my name to the running list. 

Brian
Title: Re: S1 doors handles?
Post by: TurboFource on Thursday,April 22, 2021, 12:20:03 PM
Thanks for the replies!
Title: Re: S1 doors handles?
Post by: Grumblebuns on Thursday,April 22, 2021, 12:35:44 PM
The parts of the lock come from Renault 16TL.
Not easy, but possible to find them used in France.
http://lotus-europa.com/manuals/r16parts/door.pdf

Hachille, thank you for the illustrations, obviously Renualt 16s will be difficult to come across here in the US.

Joji Tokumoto


Title: Re: S1 doors handles?
Post by: jbcollier on Thursday,April 22, 2021, 12:40:12 PM
There were lots sold here (North America) as well.  But, just like every other mass produced, economy car, 99.99% have been recycled.