FWIW, I think you will find that the fiberglass is thicker on the later bodies (slightly more structural strength) plus there is better (heavier) sound deadening and carpeting on the S3s, and later, compared to S1/S2.

 

Given the (heavy) weight of the counterbalance window mechanism in the S!/2 cars, I would think there is not a significant weight difference in the two systems. Someone once told me that the electric setup was actually lighter. Knowing Lotus, probably cheaper too.

Perhaps someone has actual numbers to prove or disprove this.

S3/4 cars definitely had more carpet padding, coupe versions had the rear glass adding weight.

 

Don't think carpet padding has much to do with it; there just wasn't much of it to start with. I'd guess, less than 5 or10 lbs.

 

Weight

I no longer have any early Elans, but previously owned an S2 and an S4. Elan weights varied quite a bit from car to car in the early years due to amount of fiberglass cloth and resin used in each car. Beyond that, you have more weight in the later cars in the exhaust system, wheels, tires, KO wheel hubs, electric windows (certainly on mine), tail lights, wiring harness, and interior trim. Some later "baby" Elans even were built with +2 fuel tanks so more weight (fuel) there. At least one thing was lighter in the later cars, the Spitfire radiator compared with the earlier super dense fin, thick core "race" radiator in early cars.

 

I no longer have any early Elans, but previously owned an S2 and an S4. Elan weights varied quite a bit from car to car in the early years due to amount of fiberglass cloth and resin used in each car. Beyond that, you have more weight in the later cars in the exhaust system, wheels, tires, KO wheel hubs, electric windows (certainly on mine), tail lights, wiring harness, and interior trim. Some later "baby" Elans even were built with +2 fuel tanks so more weight (fuel) there. At least one thing was lighter in the later cars, the Spitfire radiator compared with the earlier super dense fin, thick core "race" radiator in early cars.

Thanks, that is a very good answer!

 

+2 tank in Elan

Sorry TRW999, but you are wrong about the +2 tank.

I had one (early 1970 Federal Elan), and in discussions with an "insider" it was said that mine was far from the only one fitted with a +2 tank at the factory. It is a tight fit, but it does fit (I had it out and back in twice)! Reportedly, +2 tanks were fitted when an Elan(s) had to be delivered, but there was no stock of standard tanks. It also was indicated that these instances may not have been recorded.

Bob L