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Lotus Europa Forums => Classifieds Forums => FS/WTB: Europa Parts and Stuff => Topic started by: Speedmodel on Tuesday,April 03, 2018, 07:28:33 PM

Title: Heater knob and Cable - want to buy
Post by: Speedmodel on Tuesday,April 03, 2018, 07:28:33 PM
I am in need of a heater knob and cable for my Lotus.  It’s the knob with the red flames - pic attached.   If anyone has a spare for sale I would be grateful. 

Title: Re: Heater knob and Cable - want to buy
Post by: BDA on Tuesday,April 03, 2018, 08:16:42 PM
 :Welcome: Speedmodel!!

After exhausting the "usual suspects (r.d. enterprises (rdent.com), Dave Bean Engineering (http://davebean.com/), Banks Service Station (http://www.banks-europa.co.uk/index.php a phone call works wonders, do not try email), and JAE (http://www.jaeparts.com/), and Sports Car World (972-620-7285), I would check these places (in no particular order):
I don't know if it has the flames that the stock knob has but it looks like you can get a knob similar in shape from here: https://www.angloparts.com/pdf_catalogues/Tools_accessories_catalogue.pdf. Check page 79. Also check SJ Sports Cars (https://www.sjsportscars.com/) . Parts like this are often shared normally with the Triumph Spitfire but also the British Leyland parts bin generally. It may be worth checking with Moss Motors, Victoria British, or British Parts Northwest before you try someone in England.

Good luck! Let us know how you did.
Title: Re: Heater knob and Cable - want to buy
Post by: GavinT on Wednesday,April 04, 2018, 10:06:26 AM
I thought the choke and heater cables were a Ford item . . maybe a Mk 1 Cortina.
Not all that cheap if you can find them by all accounts.
Title: Re: Heater knob and Cable - want to buy
Post by: 4129R on Wednesday,April 04, 2018, 10:51:22 AM
I thought the choke and heater cables were a Ford item . . maybe a Mk 1 Cortina.
Not all that cheap if you can find them by all accounts.

Here is one.
Title: Re: Heater knob and Cable - want to buy
Post by: 4129R on Wednesday,April 04, 2018, 10:56:02 AM
http://www.sportscarsupplies.com/universal-solid-wire--choke-cable--kit---classic---cars-1329-p.asp

I think that is close to the heater wire cable.

It looks like that company is quite a source for things we need.
Title: Re: Heater knob and Cable - want to buy
Post by: Speedmodel on Wednesday,April 04, 2018, 11:21:22 AM
I appreciate the suggestions.  I would prefer to find the original style if possible.  None of the recommended parts suppliers have them so finding a good used one may be my best option.  I haven’t found this heater knob being used on any cars other than Lotus.
Title: Re: Heater knob and Cable - want to buy
Post by: GavinT on Wednesday,April 04, 2018, 04:54:18 PM
Here is one.

Hmmm . .
I think I'm wrong about the Cortina connection partly because they have a large escutcheon fitting.
The Cortina knob also doesn't have that convex clear plastic over the motif.

Of course, if you're running a pair of DCOE's and live in a sunny climate like I do, you don't use either knob anyway.   :))

Here's some pics I stole from elan.net and they're talking about the knobs being from perhaps an Anglia.

Title: Re: Heater knob and Cable - want to buy
Post by: Certified Lotus on Wednesday,April 04, 2018, 05:28:12 PM
It took me two years of searching the internet to find that knob for my S1 Elan.  But I prevailed and finally located one. Don't ask me what I paid for it........
Title: Re: Heater knob and Cable - want to buy
Post by: Certified Lotus on Thursday,April 05, 2018, 04:33:16 AM
Found one:
http://www.lotuselan.net/forums/elan-wanted-f4/heater-cable-assembly-needed-t41560.html

Good luck!
Title: Re: Heater knob and Cable - want to buy
Post by: BDA on Thursday,April 05, 2018, 05:31:08 AM
We shouldn't be surprised that you found it, Certified!

Man, you really have to be motivated to be original! It's difficult to see the front of the knob on a Europa! r.d. Is selling reproduction headlight knobs. They should get into heater and choke cables!
Title: Re: Heater knob and Cable - want to buy
Post by: Speedmodel on Thursday,April 05, 2018, 06:17:11 AM
Thank you!
Title: Re: Heater knob and Cable - want to buy
Post by: Certified Lotus on Thursday,April 05, 2018, 06:38:46 AM
Don’t thank me yet, the guy wants $360 for it.........
Title: Re: Heater knob and Cable - want to buy
Post by: GavinT on Thursday,April 05, 2018, 08:13:38 AM
Sooo . . about the same price as a tool kit then . .  :))
Title: Re: Heater knob and Cable - want to buy
Post by: 4129R on Thursday,April 05, 2018, 08:31:00 AM
As you cannot actually see the face of the knob unless you are in the full Lotus position, it seems originality must be seen upon reflection using her indoor's make up mirror.

A large price to pay for originality.
Title: Re: Heater knob and Cable - want to buy
Post by: BDA on Thursday,April 05, 2018, 09:04:57 AM
I guess we're finding out the price for originality!

I would say that earlier this year, a beautiful Europa with a Zetec was sold for a lot less than more original cars sold for. It surprised me that originality seemed to be that important to people. Consider if your car is missing the tool kit, the choke and heater cables, the headlight and dash light dimmer knobs - those items could easily cost upwards to $1000 or nearly 5% of the value of the car (and as 4129R says, you can't easily see the heater and choke knobs)!

I'm certainly not disparaging of people who want originality so much. I marvel at them!
Title: Re: Heater knob and Cable - want to buy
Post by: 4129R on Thursday,April 05, 2018, 09:25:47 AM
At least people are not asking for the car's full service history !!!

Sat in garden for 30 years..................
Title: Re: Heater knob and Cable - want to buy
Post by: Certified Lotus on Thursday,April 05, 2018, 04:37:18 PM
 You forgot the cost of an ashtray BDA  :FUNNY:
Title: Re: Heater knob and Cable - want to buy
Post by: BDA on Thursday,April 05, 2018, 04:47:09 PM
How could I forget?! There goes an $1000 budget!
Title: Re: Heater knob and Cable - want to buy
Post by: coldwarvet on Thursday,April 12, 2018, 04:08:41 PM
...or...if your outer cable is in OK shape, it is not that difficult to attach another inner cable to the knob part...just spread the slot with a screwdriver and counter bore with a .055" bit ...re-crimp with a small chisel or hammer...I've done it and it works perfectly...the inner cable is .055" music wire...bon chance!...
Title: Re: Heater knob and Cable - want to buy
Post by: Speedmodel on Sunday,April 15, 2018, 07:58:28 AM
Thank you for all the comments.  Thankfully one of the fellow Lotus enthusiasts on this site had a heater knob and cable that was not being used and he sent it to me.