Waistline Trim: where to get?

micha · Post by **micha** » Mon May 21, 2007 17:15

hi,

can anybody tell me if the waisltine-trim lotus used something standard?

or anything compatible or similar?

thanx in advance for your help,

m.

Ozzy_UK · Post by **Ozzy_UK** » Mon May 21, 2007 17:24

would take an educated guess at woolies?

http://www.woolies-trim.co.uk/

call them, they are very helpful.

JonK · Post by **JonK** » Mon May 21, 2007 19:51

I tried woolies for the side trim and they said they did not have it.

SJ have the stuff and the trim itself is very cheap. The problem is when the plastic mounting strips are broken as that is more expensive.

Also you will be very lucky if the holes line up.

Jon

micha · Post by **micha** » Mon May 21, 2007 20:18

thanx for your help.

i already knew that sj has this part in stock. i asked cause i want to buy it somewhere locally (germany) and not from a lotus suplier.

its sure that SJ buys it from somewhere else.(as lotus did, too)

so where does this trim come from?

also a similar one would be ok. anybody tried to take a standard trim?

terry · Post by **terry** » Tue May 22, 2007 10:28

The trim supports are just square section solid plastic, although I bought mine from Paul Matty, I guess you could source similar from a lot of the Kit car supply places, like Europa Spares, this is their name, nothing to do with the car.

Worst job was trying to remove the tiny, mild steel self tappers from the door mouldings. For those of you that have never removed their waistline trim, these are usually crumbled to rust. If you look along the trim, they sometimes have little lumps where the rust has expanded and pushed it out.

Best method, break off each bit of the trim, grab the end of the screw, if you cam, with small mole grips, rotate.

If not drill out,
whilst loudly cursing the Lotus bean counters decision, not to waste 50 p using stainless ones.

Ho hum.

Terry
.

micha · Post by **micha** » Tue May 22, 2007 12:22

outside its squaric, insde the plastic profile are 2barbs, preventing the trim comming of.

on my elite, lotus used a square, soft material, riveted to the doors, where you can plug on the trim.

a friend of mine told me that he remembers such a trim form a technical-distributor, but unfortunately he hasent found the adress yet.

1m cost about 1,40euro

also found a web-page of such a distributor, but he asks per meter 10,-€!!!!

RobB · Post by **RobB** » Wed May 23, 2007 15:55

Whilst we're on the subject of waisband trim, I noticed at Donington that the black excel on the forum stand had proper moulded waistband trim end pieces (my apologies to the owner who's name I've forgotten - I'm really bad at remembering names!

). It's the only Excel I've ever seen with them on and they really finish the waistband nicely, only problem is that I can't find anyone to supply them... anyone know who might have them available?

Rob.

amarshall · Post by **amarshall** » Wed May 23, 2007 16:04

The black Excel was actually a Green Excel (Celebration model) - alanmoss is your man.

The part no. for the item in question is A089U1820F : Finisher Strip End Stop (8 per car) according to the parts manual - but it doesn't say when this part came in. I have them on my '90 model though.

Definitely green

dpr59 · Post by **dpr59** » Wed May 23, 2007 19:23

That was just another excuse to post a pic of the Police Ladies.

Angus, I should consider moderation.

alanmoss · Post by **alanmoss** » Wed May 23, 2007 22:26

I confess that my car does look black in some lights, especially when put in the shade by the police.
The colour is similar to that used on the Lotus Carlton/Omega but adifferent paint. They also look black in some light.
The waist trim is original so the parts will be as given by Angus.

jimmybondi · Post by **jimmybondi** » Thu May 24, 2007 13:25

micha wrote:hi,

can anybody tell me if the waisltine-trim lotus used something standard?

or anything compatible or similar?

thanx in advance for your help,

m.

Ordered mine (B076U6005V - 13metres) from the local dealer and picked-up the trim today - just as easy as that...

RobB · Post by **RobB** » Thu May 24, 2007 13:59

Thanks for the part number Angus, and the reminder... what an arresting sight!

Sorry for forgetting you Alan! Amazing really, I could have sworn it was black! A 'cunning plan' to avoid identification perhaps?

Do you think they'd fit an '85's waistband trim (maybe with modification) or is the trim profile different? The end pieces I mean, not the girls... er, well, ...!

micha · Post by **micha** » Thu May 24, 2007 16:40

today i got the info that the original-profile isnt produced anymore since years and all the spare-part dealers (e.g. SJ) are selling a standard trim.

the original trim was absolutely squaric (elite, eclat, excel) than lotus changed it somewhere in the late 80s in a profile with rounded edges.

alanmoss · Post by **alanmoss** » Thu May 24, 2007 21:26

I have never had to change the waistline trim, but although the shape of the cars have changed slightly the trim basically covers the join of the two parts of the body. I cannot believe the thickness would have significantly changed and would expect the latest trim to fit.

jimmybondi · Post by **jimmybondi** » Wed May 30, 2007 09:22

alanmoss wrote:I have never had to change the waistline trim, but although the shape of the cars have changed slightly the trim basically covers the join of the two parts of the body. I cannot believe the thickness would have significantly changed and would expect the latest trim to fit.

Fitted the trim to my Esprit over the weekend. It's absolutely the same profile as was originally installed on the Esprit and the Excel.
Absolutely hasslefree working around the wheelarches if you use a hairdryer to soften the material.... worked a treat!

The Lotus Grand Tourers

Waistline Trim: where to get?

Waistline Trim: where to get?

Re: Waistline Trim: where to get?