Front Tow Hook - any pics of these installed?

[GR82DRV]

I've seen these advertised for some time now, but I've never seen one installed on a Lotus.

05 06 07 08 09 Lotus Elise Exige Racing Tow Hook | eBay

Some tow hooks are just too large for the Elise/Exige, and some don't hang freely from the hinge without touching the lower clam.

Any pics of these on our cars?

[lotus_dp]

I saw these a couple of weeks ago and I like the style and price but the listing showed the tow hook installed on a white lotus and it looked like it was too large... the pic looked like the hook was touching the painted surface of the clam just like you mentioned... so I passed.

same hook for sure... but looks like they pulled the installed pic, buyer beware.

[Man of Steel]

I bought one, LOVE it (I think the look/quality exceeds Sector 111's), but BEWARE:

The RED one looks more like PINK next to my Ardent Red Elise (the hook portion is anodized aluminum).

I'm going to exchange it for silver after Christmas.

[btotheje]

I like the look (kind of sits flush with the front lip section) but came across a two piece one on another car after I did some searching. It's not 'actually' a Lotus derived or designed part, but just a generic mass misc part that 'happens' to have the same thread as our cars.

I passed and got the Sector item.

[GR82DRV]

Originally Posted by btotheje

It's not 'actually' a Lotus derived or designed part, but just a generic mass misc part that 'happens' to have the same thread as our cars.

I passed and got the Sector item.

Yeah, they make this same item to "fit" a whole bunch of cars. Only the threaded stems are different in diameter and length to mate with the vehicle. Nevertheless, I like the billet look verses the formed strap steel look of the Sector 111 offering. Also, since our cars are so small, I wonder about the proportions, so I'd really like to see a pic or two...

[SwingLo]

Hey Todd:

I had the black one. They look good, but they are quite big.

One MAJOR issue. I had my car towed up onto a flat bed and that tow hook bent - BADLY. From the thread through the shaft.

I wound up getting on from someone on the forum - Jim Clayton I think? That one is great.

[btotheje]

That's what turned me off. A lot of bad quality reports. I've seen one literally, in two pieces. Torn apart. I've seen pics on here actually. Let me dig.

You could always strip a Sector 111 and get it recoated. HPC'd or chromed.

[btotheje]

Found. See how they sit kinda flush. They do look good, I just wish they were built a bit better.

[Laser Bob]

I'd really be interested in one for my '83 Esprit

[sb67]

Hey, that's my car you found!

I've gotten a number of compliments on this tow hook. Most people think it's OEM; I doubt any color but the black would look like an original part, though. I've had it for probably 3 years, and it's spent all that time affixed to the front of my car.

To address the concerns listed (speaking only from my experiences):
-It does NOT touch the paint. It's never touched the paint.
-It sits pretty flush with the nose of the clam.
-I've used it at least 2-3 times to pull the car out of mud, gravel and/or loose fill dirt, anywhere from 10 to 30 feet off the track. It's barely even scratched from the use it's seen, and definitely hasn't bent or torqued out of place.
-Yes, it's a bit heavier than others on the market. BFD. If you're that concerned about a few extra ounces on the front of your car, then dig underneath your clam and clear out the rocks, dirt and debris.