Lotus Elan S2 Seat Renovation

Repair of seat frames and re-trimming of Lotus Elan S2 seats

[@iaindoole4060]

Thank you for the video . Just about to start fitting new covers to my early plus 2. Very helpful. 👍👍 John

[@PaulH_S2_Elan]

It's good to know it's been helpful. Thank for your comment :)

[@briandouglas5552]

I've been in love with the Lotus Elan since I first saw one, as I walked home from school in 1974 or '75. I've often dreamed of doing just exactly what your series of videos is showing. So, thank you, Paul, for taking the time to share your experience rebuilding your Elan. It's stimulating and encouraging!

[@davidhill8254]

Thank you so much for posting this video. I'm rebuilding and recovering my Elan seats using the same trim kit as shown. I couldn't have done it without your video assistance.

[@PaulH_S2_Elan]

I'm glad it helped.

[@user-vp6qg2do8o]

Hi Paul. I have watched your video previously on re-upholstering but now having received my new seat cover kit I’ve watched a second time. I’m sure this will help me so thanks in advance. Regarding the use of the original foam - do you think the covers would fit better if you had used the new seat foam from Newton? I do believe reading that the old foams won’t work with the new seat covers (although you’ve proven this mostly wrong) ?

[@PaulH_S2_Elan]

Hi. I remember the seat cover kits came with instructions, which were good, but I guess experience will really count in terms of getting the best result. I would take your time and see how it goes with the foam that comes with the kit. I did end up buying some additional seating foam from Woolies-trim. Because I had those original shaped pieces that were is good condition I found it too tempting to use them. So maybe I'd had got a better result if I'd had to only use the new foam. I think you'll be able to tell when you pull the vinyl cover over the side foam how it's going to look. You may be able to use some clamps to hold the cover onto the frame before using the final fixings, so that you can try a few different methods of positioning the foam. Good luck, I hope it goes well.

[@user-vp6qg2do8o]

Thanks Paul. I’ll certainly be using the new foam as the originals seem like their perishing a bit anyway. In any case, your video is very valuable !

[@frankhoward7645]

22:52. Your console looks just like the one in my S4 however I've noticed that the padding on the consoles on the older cars is different as it wraps around the side following the moulded-in depressions. In other words, I believe your console came from a newer car, probably an S4 or a Sprint. I always thought the thin factory pad was lacking on the later cars and I believe they moulded-in the depressions for a reason and that was to accommodate a wrap-around pad. That's why I replaced that thin pad with a hand made replica of an older pad. Check out pictures of older Elans and you'll see what I'm talking about. I've never understood why Lotus didn't bother to make the seats adjustable for recline. I've often though of stripping the seats down to the metal like you did and heating up the rear corners where it meets the upright seat back to bend it backwards a few degrees. Regardless, thanks for showing me what's under all of that vinyl.

[@ralphmillais5237]

On the early cars, the wrap around pad was part of the SE package. My S3 has the same pad as Pauls car as it is a base, non SE model. All Sprints were SE trim level as standard.

[@frankhoward7645]

@@ralphmillais5237 My S4 is an SE model. Came with the thin pad sitting on top of the console.

[@PaulH_S2_Elan]

Hi Frank, It was on the car when I got it (in 1988) but that's no guarantee it's the original part. It is a late S2 (1966) built at the same time as the S3.