Custom Interior in the Lotus Elise

[@HeIvetikate]

this is some next level of customization, it fits very nicely together, sort of gives me the koenigsegg gemera interior vibes. well done!!!

[@TonyMaples]

I appreciate that very much - it was such a fun project and I'm happy to be able to share it

[@SPy009r0]

That CNC stitched material is awesome on the car, especially in that color. Looks really tastefully done in my eye. Center console is a great idea too, although it must have been hard to choose between critical safety features and everyday usability. Awesome job getting it all done!

[@TonyMaples]

Thank you, I really like the way the pattern came out as well! The airbag was no good and so deleting it wasn't a problem. Thank you for watching 👊🏼

[@richardmcmullen2525]

Very nice. It updates the interior and makes it look higher-end. Well done.

[@TonyMaples]

Thank you, I really appreciate that 👍🏼

[@darrenporter1850]

Just need some fluffy dice and sorted

[@nickwhite2578]

Incredible job. Firstly I love the air vents, about to experiment with e-class and RS3 vents in my Exige. Red interior isn't usually my thing but that sort of honeycomb stitching looks amazing and genuinely luxurious. Great balance of diff materials including tasteful use of carbon without overdoing it! Thanks for sharing this awesome creation, it's given me a lot of inspiration and tips!!

[@TonyMaples]

The RS3 vents would be an awesome choice! I'm with you, I've never been a fan of lots of red in my interiors, but after playing with a few designs I decided to give it a try, and it's very balanced in person.

[@joaquinlopez5851]

This is such an awesome car and a great video too. The quality of the materials and the detailed fitment and fabrication around it really doesn't make it feel like some backdoor custom that's just thrown on top of a car. Do you have any updates on this? Have you done anything else to the car? Did you bump into any issues with the mods after? Would love to hear from you!

[@TonyMaples]

Thank you so much for the kind words! I really appreciate it, and it means a lot that the work comes across as professional. Since making this video, I’ve had zero issues with the interior modifications, which is always a relief! The car actually lived in storage for about a year while I was out in Terlingua managing The Summit at Big Bend, and when I picked it back up, it cranked right over and drove like a champ-no problems at all, lol. I’ve been pretty busy since then with my photography business, which has had me overlanding across the West, teaching workshops, and building my fine art photography portfolio. Because of that, I haven’t done too much to the Elise recently, aside from pulling the transmission and putting in a new clutch. But I still drive it several times a week when the weather allows-it’s impossible to resist! If you’re curious about what else I’ve done to it, I do have some older videos on my channel. They’re a bit outdated and, honestly, a little cringy to watch now, but they show some of the other mods I’ve done over the years. A lot of it was bolt-ons, preventative maintenance like protecting wire harnesses and replacing sensors, and a few quality-of-life upgrades, like clam modifications to make removing the front and rear clams easier. Thanks again for taking the time to comment, you can always shoot me a DM on my instagram @tonymaplesphotography if you have any other questions, always happy to chat!

[@ricardoespiritu8843]

now that's how you do a custom interior 👏, it looks amazing 🤩 tbh yoir entire car looks stunning 😍

[@TonyMaples]

I appreciate that! I still love it - may not not everyone's cup of tea, but in person it isn't as overwhelming or overdone as it looks in photos/video. I like to think I have reasonable taste nowdays - its a good mix of colors and materials, had nothing but positive comments in person!

[@atomicorang]

You really did an awesome job!! Love custom work it has lot of character.

[@TonyMaples]

I agree, happy with the way this came together. Thank you!

[@Lite_Lotus]

Looks great!!! Thanks for sharing!

[@TonyMaples]

Of course, thanks for watching 👊🏼

[@nezzidon]

Awesome!!!

[@HugheZ33]

Beautiful car!

[@garybanbury]

I’m not surprised you are pleased it looks excellent . Great work! I wish I had the talent & the know how. 👍

[@TonyMaples]

Thank you, very happy with it!

[@luigimorrico6029]

Stunning work, love the interior and the seat upgrade. I live in South Africa and own a beautiful black Lotus Elise, my friends have already upgraded the sills, gearbox console and audio system. BUT they are clearly been lazy when we watch this video! Any suggestions on who to contact re dash work.

[@TonyMaples]

I really appreciate that! Sounds like you guys have a fun group of friends too, if you have Instagrams give me a follow and I'll follow back! As far as recommendations, I don't personally, and if it was me I'd ask around some other local car people and find a really reputable shop to do the work. Let me know if you have any other questions 🤙🏼

[@Ataru6]

Hi there! Great video! May I ask you about your gold rims? What brand are they? they seem to be the same size. I want to change mine but I got 16 front and 17 rear. Is ok anyway having same size fronte and rear?

[@TonyMaples]

Sure no problem 🤙🏼 They are XXR 527’s 17x8.25 +25 all around. I usually run Nitto NT01's 215/40/17 on the front's and 235/40/17 on the rears, but have some cheap tires for winter on it right now. No issue changing sizes as long as it's within reason, there's lots of posts on LotusTalk about wheel setups and their effects, so if you're too concerned then definitely search there. Thanks for watching!

[@Ataru6]

@@TonyMaples I have to really thank you mate! Gonna check deeper on LotusTalk and thanks for your advice. How much did you pay for the entire set of 4?

[@TonyMaples]

@@Ataru6 these are incredibly affordable (not cheap, they meet and exceed all OEM standards) and are around $180 each. Very good value!

[@austinweippert4065]

Would you mind giving a ball park estimate on how much this kind of customization would cost? This is a dream setup for me personally

[@TonyMaples]

So I've actually been asked that quite a bit - If you wanted your interior exactly like mine, every part and panel, the same seats the same upholstery - a perfect copy, you're looking at around $7-$8k in part cost, around 50 hours of labor at $120 an hour to install the parts and make the custom panels, and the final upholstery work would be around $4000. That would be pretty much exactly what I have in mine.

[@austinweippert4065]

@@TonyMaples I really appreciate this fast of a response aswell as you being this open about what was spent, your interior looks wayyyy more then that I was think in the 20s for a custom job like this, thank you very much for the info, if I get my hands one pretty much your interior is exactly what I want haha

[@TonyMaples]

Yeah of course, always happy to chat! Thanks for the support 🤙🏼

[@austinweippert4065]

@@TonyMaples hey man sorry to bug ya again, when you redid the interior did it fix the leaking problem it has when in the rain?

[@TonyMaples]

I don't drive this one in the rain unless I hit some on a trip or long drive, so I haven't been in a situation yet to know, however it's a pretty common problem with no real solution - the windows don't seal well enough. My last Elise I drove daily, and it leaked but not horribly, just kept a microfiber with me to dry the door sill when it was really coming down.

[@faculangmann498]

🔥🔥🔥

[@G1lgamesj]

One question, how do you wear your seat belts in the Tillett B6 seats?

[@TonyMaples]

They are made for harnesses, however the factory 3 point belts bolt up and operate properly as well

[@offleash9706]

Looks like a pagani now😄

[@TonyMaples]

😂 Didn't even think of that, it kinda does though!

[@joshjames6397]

My thought exactly ! Looks sick !!!

[@endasilva1604]

Can you construct one for me please ?

[@solis4920]

Is like a pice of art great job 👏👏👏

[@TonyMaples]

Thank you very much, I'm extremely happy with it 🤙🏼

[@bakhteria]

nice job. get a good 3d printer and use nylon X (carbon fiber) and make ur next project a lot easier.

[@TonyMaples]

Learning to 3d print proficiently is on my to-do list. 3DMagicMike on Instagram has seriously inspired me to learn and opened my eyes to all the possibilities!

[@bakhteria]

@@TonyMaples ur car looks awesome. And any future project with 3d printing will give u options u didn’t know you had before.

[@TonyMaples]

@@bakhteria I really appreciate that! And I agree, would be nice to be able to easily replicate custom parts as well.

[@jacobliberatore19]

Oh My Gosh this thing is amazing.. i would love to do something like this to my wide bodied elise. Especially the glove compartment and the updated double screen.

[@TonyMaples]

The glove box has been incredibly useful! I currently keep a small jump pack in it, tool kit, and on a recent trip it was a great spot for phones and wallets.