A Lotus for Lars

[IamScotticus]

On scuttle tab fixing, 

I looked at a few of my books to try to see anything definitive. 

Series 1, no tabs. they were too cool for tabs, like all DeDions.  But us live axle schmucks are stuck with tabs.

Series 2, tabs on all cars but the scuttles are mostly fixed to the instrument panel hoop vertical tube (PHVT), about an inch above the chassis top tube (CTT).  

Series 3, same as 2 up to the early 80s where the tabs are riveted close to the top edge of the CTT, but not below it.

Series 3 in the early 90s, and perhaps a long cockpit thing, tab rivets appeared inserted low, about an inch below the CTT, and more centered on the tab.

It is possible that the final tab hole location may have been an executive decision by the Arch riveter with the drill at the time of build since locating a blind hole behind panel is difficult,  Arch probably didn't pre drill that hole.  

 

Going forward, I also saw many examples of 7s that should have had tabs that were removed for esthetics.  For any build, It would be perfectly acceptable to remove the tab and afix the scuttle edge to the PHVT.

 

I've often pondered the possibility of cutting the form wire off and sliding the tab down between the skin and CTT.  That would scratch TS out of the tube.  Maybe if I smooth out the edges nicely.

 

I will be taking my scuttle off soon, doing the rivnut mod (2nd time).  I'll look for the holes then.  Im pretty sure I have holes under my tabs because I remember drilling them out of my old scuttle and I have a few pictures of them.  Interestingly, they are located more like early 80s but my chassis is a 95.

 

Edited April 20, 2023 by IamScotticus

[Vinman1]