Rear Trunk Compartment

[LotusJoe]

I ran across this picture today of what appears to be a late model rear trunk liner. Does anyone know if this was factory in the very late model TCs? Chassis number 3972R.

[BDA]

I've never seen anything like that! I'm guessing it was done by an owner, but it is a possible that it's original. It seems there is always something that comes up that is original that I hadn't heard of. It seems like a really good idea!

[gideon]

That cutout has already been discussed in, er, a little too much detail -

http://www.lotuseuropa.org/LotusForum/index.php?topic=2974

The ad on ebay seems to have been pulled, but it is still up on Copart.

https://www.copart.com/lot/24905839

[4129R]

This would hit the standard exhaust silencer (muffler).

I have not seen that as a factory modification on any of the 8 x 1972-1975 cars I have owned.

[tedtaylor]

only deviation from the rear trunk box, is this one for the S1 (too hold battery)
http://www.taylormadeclassiccars.com/images/IMG_3435.JPG

[JR73]

I can't remember ever seeing one like that but I agree with BDA that it looks like a good idea - especially as the dropped floor looks to be about the same depth as the rear crossmember?

[BDA]

On a closer look, 4129 is right about interference with the muffler, but I really like the idea. It would be great tool storage - cars with shift linkage that mounts on the top of the tranny excluded, of course.

[EuropaTC]

I think that's a cute idea although I suspect there's minimal clearance between the base and the silencer. 

But it could be done, if you wanted the full width then I'd guess roughly 2" would be the maximum to get clearance from the silencer box.  You can get an idea from this shot from when I replaced the crossmember, the new one is made from 40x60mm box section so 50mm would still give you clearance from the silencer with some fancy heat reflection material on the base of the new section.

But if you just did one side then you could easily make a compartment that would hold the jack/tools without encroaching on the normal boot space ?

Brian

[TCS4605R]

EuropaTC - why did you make a new cross member?

Tom
TCS - 4605

[EuropaTC]

Hi Tom,
It started because the old one was rusty and I decided that it needed paint if it was going to last much longer.

But as with most things, once I got the old one off I found it was much worse than I'd imagined.  Not only was it rusty but also bent out of shape both vertically & also where the reinforcement strips bolt to the chassis rails on.   Or at least I'm assuming it had bent as it got thinner, I can't imagine Lotus making it like that new !
 
Brian