That blank area above the passenger sill - LotusTalk

Randy Chase · 09-02-2004, 11:03 AM

Anyone figure out anything about this? This is the area, that on the driver side has the light switches and start button. On the passenger side, it looks like a blank cover. With space so limited, this would be very useful for something. Is the cover easy to remove? Anyone try it?

babak · 09-02-2004, 11:13 AM

Is that the space that housed those very same switches for an RHD drive? And now it's just covered up so they wouldn't have to mold another piece?

Stan · 09-02-2004, 11:19 AM

I've had it off...it's retained by two phillips head screws you reach through the little cubby hole under it. Behind it is a space. I used this area so that I could route wiring to the subwoofer. From the cavity you can access a channel in the alloy that leads across the dashpboard. It should be possible to do something with the space, more storage or whatever, maybe a hinged door. It would also need to be lined with something. since there are holes leading elsewhere. Otherwise you'd wind up with stuff rolling around in the dashboard.

babak · 09-02-2004, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Stan
maybe a hinged door.

Could it fit an ipod?

Stan · 09-02-2004, 11:23 AM

>>Could it fit an ipod?<<

Sure...and apparently there is some empty space behind the light switches on the driver's side. Earlier Elises used the two cavities for speakers. I've also seen pics where folks put gages, more switches and so forth in those spots.

Racer X · 09-02-2004, 11:27 AM

I smell a business opportunity for someone clever! A storage bin with a locking cover would be nice. Or maybe just a hidden latch, so it looks like sock car with nothing there.

Ok who has the resources to make it happen?

Greg

steuspeed · 09-02-2004, 11:33 AM

Randy,

It was the old speaker location.

Stewart

Hollywood · 09-02-2004, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Racer X
I smell a business opportunity for someone clever! A storage bin with a locking cover would be nice. Or maybe just a hidden latch, so it looks like sock car with nothing there.

Ok who has the resources to make it happen?

Greg

i was going to do this as soon as i get my car. just waiting on the car.

MattG · 09-02-2004, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Racer X
I smell a business opportunity for someone clever! A storage bin with a locking cover would be nice. Or maybe just a hidden latch, so it looks like sock car with nothing there.

Ok who has the resources to make it happen?

I'm designing something along those lines once I get my car.

Milan · 09-02-2004, 03:58 PM

wonder why they left the speakers there for the 111r but relocated the speakers on the fed elise...

I have the covers off yesterday and without the speakers there here must be quite abit of space.. surely enough for sungalsses, stereo etc....

tidalwdave · 09-02-2004, 04:14 PM

How would an XM radio work in that spot?

steuspeed · 09-03-2004, 12:24 PM

Visually, I liked the old arrangement with the alcantra covering and four air vents. The speaker grills with the exposed screws and curved stretched wire grilles looked more GT40. Anyone can slap Blaupunkt grilles on their dash, and the labels I saw on the Silver LA car were already curling/peeling off.

Having the speakers fire up into the glass will make it more difficult to audibly locate the speakers. The extra distance and bounce off the glass will cause the sound to be a little less biased towards the left or right depending on which seat you are in. Also, the sun is not going to be very kind to them.

Regardless, the sound system is not what this car is about. Most owners are not raving about the stereo anyway. Upgrading it will be difficult as the cavity for the speaker/s is a main weakness, and that cannot be improved without a significant weight penalty.

The jury is still out on the start button. Cool, or annoying novelty over time? Two switches to start the car sounds like twice the chance it won’t start to me. Not a good idea on an English car.

huggy bear · 09-03-2004, 01:48 PM

what's the height/width of that area? might be able to fit a custom made 6x9 base box

Randy Chase · 09-03-2004, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by huggy bear
what's the height/width of that area? might be able to fit a custom made 6x9 base box

It is not that wide.

mikester · 09-03-2004, 02:33 PM

Pretty small area but as you say, could be a nice little storage area. Or, at a minimum could the panel be fitted with a couple of buttons a la homelink, to operate a garage door opener and a gate etc?

Randy Chase · 09-03-2004, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mikester
Pretty small area but as you say, could be a nice little storage area. Or, at a minimum could the panel be fitted with a couple of buttons a la homelink, to operate a garage door opener and a gate etc?

Hmm.. might be a good idea. Right now, I have to park the car, get out, open the door using my other car...or go in the house and back out the garage door... get back in the car.. drive into garage...get out.

Need4Speed · 09-03-2004, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Randy Chase
Anyone figure out anything about this? This is the area, that on the driver side has the light switches and start button. On the passenger side, it looks like a blank cover. With space so limited, this would be very useful for something. Is the cover easy to remove? Anyone try it?

I asked Nick Adams at the LAAS why not a hinged door here. Said Lotus decided it wasn't worth the cost of developing a reliable mechanism & fitment.

MattG · 09-19-2004, 04:52 PM

I opened up that area today to see how it'd work as a storage space. Unfortunately, there is very, very little room behind the panel. The aluminum extrusion spanning the dash (that also forms the storage tray on either side of the hvac controls) continues through this space. The depth available for storage is not enough to make a locking storage box worthwhile so I won't be pursuing this project after all. The small cubbyhole that Lotus placed there instead actually works great - it has a grippy liner and a lip on the open side to keep things in place.

Randy Chase · 09-19-2004, 06:57 PM

I have an idea for that area. Stay tuned!

ChrisH · 09-19-2004, 11:52 PM

It is a good place for a fold out cupholder.

09-02-2004, 11:03 AM	#1 (permalink)
Randy Chase Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: San Diego and where ever the roads lead Posts: 28,175 Images: 761	That blank area above the passenger sill Anyone figure out anything about this? This is the area, that on the driver side has the light switches and start button. On the passenger side, it looks like a blank cover. With space so limited, this would be very useful for something. Is the cover easy to remove? Anyone try it? __________________ * V E R I T A S * A E Q U I T A S * No Longer the ADMIN here, please do not PM me asking for help. Thanks! http://www.facebook.com/randychase 1991 Toyota MR2. AutoX Beast 2006 Noble M400. Track weapon. 2009 Rossion Q1. Monaco Orange. Canyon Carver. In build: 2009 Toniq R (300whp? 1100 pounds?). Chrome Orange. Lexus GX-470 tow vehicle. On Order: Lotus Evora Next: McLaren MP4-12C

09-02-2004, 11:13 AM	#2 (permalink)
babak Moderator Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Topeka, KS Posts: 8,269 Images: 23	Is that the space that housed those very same switches for an RHD drive? And now it's just covered up so they wouldn't have to mold another piece? __________________ Babak Club111 Central Plains Coordinator '05 Elise - Touring, HT, StarShield '99 Ducati 996 Bip '05 Freelander SE

09-02-2004, 11:19 AM	#3 (permalink)
Stan - Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 6,927	I've had it off...it's retained by two phillips head screws you reach through the little cubby hole under it. Behind it is a space. I used this area so that I could route wiring to the subwoofer. From the cavity you can access a channel in the alloy that leads across the dashpboard. It should be possible to do something with the space, more storage or whatever, maybe a hinged door. It would also need to be lined with something. since there are holes leading elsewhere. Otherwise you'd wind up with stuff rolling around in the dashboard. Last edited by Stan : 09-02-2004 at 11:21 AM.

09-02-2004, 11:27 AM	#6 (permalink)
Racer X Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: DFW, TX Posts: 591	I smell a business opportunity for someone clever! A storage bin with a locking cover would be nice. Or maybe just a hidden latch, so it looks like sock car with nothing there. Ok who has the resources to make it happen? Greg __________________ Aubergine/Black, Touring, Sport, and Hardtop

09-02-2004, 11:33 AM	#7 (permalink)
steuspeed Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 902	Randy, It was the old speaker location. Stewart Attached Images

09-02-2004, 11:23 AM	#5 (permalink)
Stan - Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 6,927	>>Could it fit an ipod?<< Sure...and apparently there is some empty space behind the light switches on the driver's side. Earlier Elises used the two cavities for speakers. I've also seen pics where folks put gages, more switches and so forth in those spots.

09-02-2004, 03:58 PM	#10 (permalink)
Milan Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Essex, England Posts: 21	wonder why they left the speakers there for the 111r but relocated the speakers on the fed elise... I have the covers off yesterday and without the speakers there here must be quite abit of space.. surely enough for sungalsses, stereo etc.... __________________ Krypton 111R delivered and enjoyed...............

09-02-2004, 04:14 PM	#11 (permalink)
tidalwdave Looking to buy.... Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 963 Images: 1	How would an XM radio work in that spot? __________________ 2002 Gray Kia Rio (Beater) 2002 Spa Yellow S2000 FOR SALE! 2006 Toyota Matrix 2005 Elise, looking for a SY or CO with a HT and TP in the NC area.

09-03-2004, 12:24 PM	#12 (permalink)
steuspeed Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 902	Visually, I liked the old arrangement with the alcantra covering and four air vents. The speaker grills with the exposed screws and curved stretched wire grilles looked more GT40. Anyone can slap Blaupunkt grilles on their dash, and the labels I saw on the Silver LA car were already curling/peeling off. Having the speakers fire up into the glass will make it more difficult to audibly locate the speakers. The extra distance and bounce off the glass will cause the sound to be a little less biased towards the left or right depending on which seat you are in. Also, the sun is not going to be very kind to them. Regardless, the sound system is not what this car is about. Most owners are not raving about the stereo anyway. Upgrading it will be difficult as the cavity for the speaker/s is a main weakness, and that cannot be improved without a significant weight penalty. The jury is still out on the start button. Cool, or annoying novelty over time? Two switches to start the car sounds like twice the chance it won’t start to me. Not a good idea on an English car. Attached Images

09-03-2004, 01:48 PM	#13 (permalink)
huggy bear Pow Pow Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 1,167	what's the height/width of that area? might be able to fit a custom made 6x9 base box

09-03-2004, 02:33 PM	#15 (permalink)
mikester Registered Shmoozer Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: So Cal Posts: 4,597	Pretty small area but as you say, could be a nice little storage area. Or, at a minimum could the panel be fitted with a couple of buttons a la homelink, to operate a garage door opener and a gate etc? __________________ Covered in Brandy and Lard

09-19-2004, 04:52 PM	#18 (permalink)
MattG insert clever title here Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Living above the clouds in Colorado Posts: 7,676 Images: 11	I opened up that area today to see how it'd work as a storage space. Unfortunately, there is very, very little room behind the panel. The aluminum extrusion spanning the dash (that also forms the storage tray on either side of the hvac controls) continues through this space. The depth available for storage is not enough to make a locking storage box worthwhile so I won't be pursuing this project after all. The small cubbyhole that Lotus placed there instead actually works great - it has a grippy liner and a lip on the open side to keep things in place. __________________ '05 Elise, Magnetic Blue / Biscuit / Hardtop / http://eliseinfo.com Radar detector mounting brackets for sale here

09-19-2004, 06:57 PM	#19 (permalink)
Randy Chase Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: San Diego and where ever the roads lead Posts: 28,175 Images: 761	I have an idea for that area. Stay tuned! __________________ * V E R I T A S * A E Q U I T A S * No Longer the ADMIN here, please do not PM me asking for help. Thanks! http://www.facebook.com/randychase 1991 Toyota MR2. AutoX Beast 2006 Noble M400. Track weapon. 2009 Rossion Q1. Monaco Orange. Canyon Carver. In build: 2009 Toniq R (300whp? 1100 pounds?). Chrome Orange. Lexus GX-470 tow vehicle. On Order: Lotus Evora Next: McLaren MP4-12C

09-19-2004, 11:52 PM	#20 (permalink)
ChrisH Mountain Road Nut Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Ramona,CA Posts: 2,292	It is a good place for a fold out cupholder.

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