S1 water woes

[jbcollier]

In the S1, water from the rear wheel wells is sprayed into the engine compartment floor.  From there it’s free to flow up the sides along the chassis.  We all know what this means to the state of any original chassis!

In a normal shower it gets in and then slowly evaporates or finds its way out.  However, if you are experiencing days of long distance rain days, the level builds up and it seeps in through the seat belt mounts and in under your seat squab.

I’ll be having the squabs redone with plastic, rather than fibreboard, bases.

We S1 owners should get together and start the Soggy Bottomed Section of this list.

[My S1]

Is it possible to drill out some strategic drain holes to prevent the seepage forward?

[jbcollier]

I drilled holes and made little "berms/dams to guide the water to them. I sealed the seat section to the floor as well.  Still got a wet bottom.

[DreamsOfA47]

Oh geez! This may be the only situation in which I'm thankful SoCal has been in a proper drought! JB, aside from the dams and berms have you found anything that may keep the water out? Has anyone ever made sheetmetal inner fenders for these cars?

[jbcollier]

Ah, there's the rub.  They are also the major air intake into the engine bay -- yes, air flows out the engine cover vents.  It's just what it is.

[My S1]

I suppose Lotus felt that the owners would run the @#$% out of them for a couple of years then buy a new model.  No thought of them one day being coveted by enthusiastic nuts like us.