Lotus Elise S1 Service Notes page 45

Lotus Service Notes Section TDL
BN.1 - SOFT TOP ROOF
Concept
The Lotus Elise has been designed to exploit the pleasures of open top motoring, the better to enjoy
exposure to the natural environment, unencumbered by the restrictions and confinement bestowed by a cock-
pit roof. In order to provide some weather protection to the occupants and vehicle interior, and allow the
continued enjoyment of the car in unfavourable weather conditions, a simple soft top roof may be erected in
conjunction with a rigid rear window and roll bar fairing.
Rear Window & Roll Bar Fairing
To allow the soft top roof to be carried on board and erected at will, the roll bar fairing should be fitted,
together with the glass rear window. Running in this configuration may also reduce cockpit air turbulence, and
restrict the backflow of hot air from the engine bay outlet vents. Using the soft top roof without the fairing and
rear window is not recommended.
Fit the rear window into the moulded channel in the body, with the rubber seal on the forward side of the
glass. Place the fairing onto the roll over bar, and press the glass top edge against the flange on the fairing to
compress the seal and allow the window to be retained by the two tangs. Hook the single over-centre latch at
To remove the window and fairing, press down the safety catch before disengaging each over-centre
latch and lifting off the fairing. Lift out the rear window from its channel, and store carefully.
Soft Top Roof - Erection
To erect the soft top roof, first fit the rear window and roll bar fairing (see above). Retrieve the folded roof
assembly from the luggage compartment or from behind the seats, unpack from its stowage bag (if applicable),
and open both doors. Then:
1. Unroll the roof, and identify the two side rails. Plug the spigot on the front end of the right hand rail into
the socket at the top of the windscreen pillar. Clip the rear end of the rail into its retainer on the roll bar,
by pushing the rail forwards at the same time as pressing inwards on the rear end. Fit the left hand rail
in a similar manner.
Fold roof bow forwards
2. Unclip the two roof bows from their stowage site behind the seats, and fit into their locating holes in the
roof side rails. Note that both bows are identical. Fold both bows forwards.
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